Perhaps Liberty Village’s nickname should be Music Village? In mid April, a media event took place in the parking lot of Lamport Stadium to announce another musical tenant soon to call our neighbourhood home. We are already home to some musical moguls and organizations such as Roland Canada, Gibson Guitar, Music Canada, Jazz FM, Indie 88, The Post Office Sound and the various Zoomer Media radio stations. Soon to be added to the list is Universal Music Canada.
Moving from the East End to the West End
Currently, the office resides on the east end of Toronto near Victoria Park and the 401. It is a fairly industrial area not quite surrounded by many of its musical counterparts. Right now, companies like Enbridge and a Shoppers Drug office call this area home.
The new Hullmark Development at 80 Atlantic Ave is in the process of being built and state on their website, it will have 79758 square feet of office space and 7719 square feet of retail space. According to Urban Toronto, “80 Atlantic is Toronto’s first new timber-frame commercial building to be built in a generation”. Architectural firm Quadrangle has created this stunning design for the building and will no doubt be highly anticipated for its official unveiling upon construction completion.
Universal Music Canada is the first publicly announced tenant for this new commercial space.
Toronto is a Music Haven and Hotspot
Homegrown talent from Toronto are taking the world by storm including The Weekend, Drake, Alessia Cara, and Shawn Mendes and The Beaches. A few of these artists are signed with Universal Music Canada too! Mayor John Tory was on hand at the media event and spoke about how important of a role music plays in the city of Toronto. Other efforts he has been making also support his vision for the city such as City Hall having a much bigger role in the industry. The City has a Toronto Music Advisory Council comprised of many key individuals both directly involved in the music industry and City employees who represent important departments.
Back in April of 2016, the City Councillors voted in favour to make Toronto a Music City. A music city, according to Music Canada is, “… a community of any size with a vibrant music economy. Beginning with artists and musicians, Music Cities are home to a broad range of professionals who support artist entrepreneurs in their career development”.
Most recently during Canadian Music Week this year at the Music Cities Summit opening remarks, he promised focus on three key areas: hosting more music events, music to become part of the City’s planning process and wants to create a music passport.
The Vision of Universal Music Canada in Liberty Village
Universal Music Canada will have more than just an office in Liberty Village. President Jeffrey Remedios stated,
“80 Atlantic will be the next phase of the growth and evolution of our city’s music community as we build greater resources and support for artists, enabling them to fully refine their craft at home” (as captured by cbc.ca).
Remedios also made mention at the media event that the new space will have a recording studio, performance venue area, as well as some offices.
We can’t wait to meet our new neighbours and see the new building once it is all completed.
All photos were taken by Meg Marshall unless specifically noted.
