Massey Hall Project

The Peter MacCallum fonds at Media Commons Archives contains 40 exterior and interior views in black and white of Toronto’s iconic Massey Hall. The originals are silver prints made by the artist from his medium format negatives.

In this exhibit, the digital images are presented in ten linked series. We retrace the photographer’s progress, starting with a circuit of the hall’s exterior, then moving inside to show the three seating levels, the lobby area, the view from the stage, the backstage, and the dressing rooms.

Using the image viewers below, we invite you to scroll through each series, and explore the zoom and full-screen functions to see the photographs in context.

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Exterior Views from the Yonge Street Series, 2008-2010

Façade of Massey Hall, Shuter Street East of Yonge Street, 2009

North East Corner of Massey Hall, Shuter and Victoria Streets, 2010 

South East Corner of Albert Building and Massey Hall, Victoria Street, 2010

Rear Facade of Massey Hall, South of Shuter Street, 2008

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Massey Hall Interiors Series, 1987 and 2010-2013

Orchestra Level

Lateral View of Orchestra Seating, 2010

East Aisle (Aisle No. 1), Looking Toward Door, 2010

Axial View of Toward Stage from Entrance Ramp, 2010

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Stage

Round Arch in Stage Screen, 2010

Stage Right Entrance, Cross-Stage View, 2010

View of Hall from Back of Stage with Setup for Brad Mehldau Trio, 2010

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Backstage

Dressing Room No. 2, View From Entrance, 2010

Dressing Room No. 2, View Toward Door, 2010

East End of Green Room, 2010 

Stage Right, Looking Out, 2010 

Corridor Linking Stage Left and Stage Right, 2010 

Dressing Room No. 4, View Toward Door, 2013

Former CBC Booth, Stage Left, 2010

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Lobby Area and Box Office

General View of Outer Lobby, 2010

View of Outer Lobby with Loading Ramp in Place, 2013 

Detail of Star Rail, Outer Lobby, 2010

Lateral View of Inner Lobby, 2010

Detail of Door in Outer Lobby, 2010

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Balcony Level

Landing in North-West Stairwell, Balcony Level, 2010

South-West Stairwell to Balcony and Gallery Levels, 2013

General View of Balcony Level, 2013

Detail of Seating, Balcony Level (Row E), 2010

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Gallery Level

West Entrance to Gallery Level, 2010

East Side of Gallery Level, 2010

Detail of Wooden Seating, Gallery Level, 2010

View from Gallery Level Showing Loading Ramp in Place Below, 2013

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Attic Storey

Pin Rail in Gallery Below the Fly Loft, 2013 

General View of Fly Loft Above the Stage, 1987

Detail of Pulley Blocks, Fly Loft, 1987

Follow Spot Booth, West Side, 2010

Detail of Blocked Clerestory Window, 2010

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Basement

Detail of Lockers, Female Ushers’ Dressing Room, 2010 

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Administration Offices, Albert Building

Security Desk at Victoria Street Stage Entrance, 2013

Main Hallway, Administrative Offices, Albert Building, 2010

Work Station, Administration Offices, Albert Building, 2010

Abandoned Apartment, Fourth Floor, Albert Building, 1987