Hugh’s Room Live has found a new home.
The beloved Toronto music venue announced Thursday that it had officially purchased a historic church property at 296 Broadview Ave.
“This new home isn’t just a game-changer, it’s a groundbreaking music sanctuary,” said Brian Iler, chair of Hugh’s Room Live’s board of directors. “Our vision for this space includes dedicated support for artists, performance studios, and vibrant community musical activities.”
Hugh’s Room Live had been searching for a permanent home since March of 2020, when a rent hike forced the venue out of its previous location on Dundas Street West, which it called home for 20 years.
Last year, the board of directors struck a deal to buy the Broadview Faith Temple Church in Toronto’s east end. The not-for-profit arts organization had raised more than $500,000 in donations and loans from its supporters and secured a loan guarantee of up to $2.2 million from Toronto city council, but it still needed to raise another $2 million in order to complete the purchase.
In the end, Hugh’s Room Live completed the purchase thanks to the support of 1,000 individuals, including volunteers, donors and bondholders.
The property at 296 Broadview Ave. is described as a historic gem, designed by the renowned Toronto architect E.J. Lennox, who also designed iconic structures such as Old City Hall and Casa Loma.
Hugh’s Room Live will be preparing the space for live performances to begin in September.