One of the city's most iconic buildings is getting a facelift and a new purpose.
Known to a generation of Torontonians as the seat of our Second City troupe, the
Old Fire Hall is now undergoing a renovation to become the new home of
Complections, a college of make-up art and design.
The building at 110 Lombard Street was originally constructed in 1886, and then rebuilt after the great fire of 1904. It was most recently the home of
Gilda's Club (now known somewhat less memorably as the Cancer Support Community), which provides what they refer to as "psychosocial" care for cancer patients.
"They made many little living rooms in the house," says Complections president and co-owner Pamela Earle. "We've taken the walls out and created eight classrooms, and one large classroom for the graduation days."
The renovation will also remove the drywall from the old windows, and undo the dropped ceiling, revealing the original five-metre-high first-floor ceiling.
The building's a big move up for the school, which currently occupies about 8,500 square feet on St. Nicholas Street. Earle figures they'll be able to take about 30 more students a year, increasing the annual enrolment to 200.
The schedule calls for an early 2012 opening.
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Pamela Earle
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