U of T proposes to build cultural complex where McLaughlin Planetarium stands

The University of Toronto has announced a proposal for a massive cultural complex on the spot where the defunct McLaughlin Planetarium stands.

The building at 90 Queen’s Park Cres. would include a Jewish Museum of Canada, the Institute of Islamic Studies, other university departments and a 250-seat performance hall for the faculty of music.

Plans for the site may also include a theatre providing a planetarium experience for students, operated by the school’s department of astronomy and astrophysics.

It is unclear whether the planetarium will be incorporated into the building or whether it will be torn down. A spokesperson at U of T wasn’t immediately available to comment.

Issy and Rosalie Sharp will chair the fundraising for the project.

“This new development will bring the University’s enormous performance, cultural and educational strengths to the fore in a way that benefits the city as a whole,” Issy Sharp said in a statement.

The plan also includes a new plaza for the entrance at Museum subway station and improved connections between Queen’s Park and Philosophers’ Walk.

The University of Toronto bought the land from the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in 2009 for $22 million.

“The University has had a storied and long-standing relationship with many of the city’s great cultural institutions,” said U of T president Meric Gertler. “This project would continue that proud tradition and make a significant contribution to this cultural precinct and the entire city.”

The outer space and star-gazing facility operated to much fanfare from 1965 until 1995, when it shut down due to lagging attendance. It’s been there ever since.

The building is currently leased to the ROM for use as office space and storage.

U of T will begin the consulting process among its neighbours, its planning departments, the City of Toronto and other stakeholders.

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