The city of Toronto's insatiable appetite for condo developments has once again led to the potential loss of an entertainment venue, with beloved dive Sneaky Dee's proposed to be demolished for a 13-storey mixed use monstrosity. Now, renderings of the proposed project have arrived — complete with space for a possible new venue.
Of course, that only becomes reality if the space isn't used for retail. A layout plan for the ground floor of the building, designed by Quadrangle Architects Ltd., shows a block of just over 2,700 square feet assigned for retail, with "potential music venue" conveniently included in brackets.
Last week, Sneaky Dee's operations manager George Diamantouros appeared to indicate that the future wasn't all doom and gloom, writing on the venue's website that "we are included in the future plans."
"We are coming back stronger and better than ever. Live music. Great food. Fantastic vibes. These are what made us great and will continue to do so," he shared in thanking the community for "good wishes, good vibes and support."
Upon the development proposal's submission earlier this month, Torontonians began bracing themselves for another cultural loss, and you'll find below that attitudes haven't really changed despite the latest reveal. After the submission went public, Toronto Coun. Mike Layton acknowledged on Twitter that further review of the application would be undertaken by the city.
In recent years, Toronto development and rising rent prices have led to the closure of venues including the Hoxton, the Silver Dollar Room, Coalition and Hugh's Room. More recent closures of live music spaces such as the Beaver, Orbit Room and the Hideout have come as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.
Of course, that only becomes reality if the space isn't used for retail. A layout plan for the ground floor of the building, designed by Quadrangle Architects Ltd., shows a block of just over 2,700 square feet assigned for retail, with "potential music venue" conveniently included in brackets.
On its face, the proposed room — wider than it is long — doesn't look much different from a space like the old Silver Dollar Room, which met a similar fate just blocks away. Here's hoping you don't get stuck with the cheap seats in that corner by the stairs.What kind of music venue fits this footprint? pic.twitter.com/ssyRPP0vGP
— Alex Bozikovic (@alexbozikovic) September 24, 2020
Last week, Sneaky Dee's operations manager George Diamantouros appeared to indicate that the future wasn't all doom and gloom, writing on the venue's website that "we are included in the future plans."
"We are coming back stronger and better than ever. Live music. Great food. Fantastic vibes. These are what made us great and will continue to do so," he shared in thanking the community for "good wishes, good vibes and support."
Upon the development proposal's submission earlier this month, Torontonians began bracing themselves for another cultural loss, and you'll find below that attitudes haven't really changed despite the latest reveal. After the submission went public, Toronto Coun. Mike Layton acknowledged on Twitter that further review of the application would be undertaken by the city.
In recent years, Toronto development and rising rent prices have led to the closure of venues including the Hoxton, the Silver Dollar Room, Coalition and Hugh's Room. More recent closures of live music spaces such as the Beaver, Orbit Room and the Hideout have come as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.
I'm sure the tenants won't complain about a music venue in their building, at all. Not at all.
— Jerome Persaud (@TdotRome) September 25, 2020
This gets a Sneaky D-
— golden larch season (@brianfauteux) September 25, 2020
"If we write 'music venue' on the blueprints, nobody can be mad at us" — Someone at Quadrangle, I presume
— David Rudin (@DavidSRudin) September 25, 2020
Pretty sure Orbit Room was smaller..
— The Third Physical Distancer of the Apocalypse (@john_cross_) September 24, 2020
Puppet theater duh
— Neil Flanagan 🗃 (@jg_bollard) September 24, 2020
