The Metro Theatre, the former adult movie cinema near Bloor and Christie Street is looking to clean up their act with a possible retail space or fitness studio moving in. According to rumours, the vacant triple-X movie house will finally be redeveloped after the building was previously put up for sale after longtime owners owed millions to creditors. The owner initially tried to sell the property for almost $4 million hoping the new owners would continue to run the business. The property was on the market for awhile, dropping its price several times before it finally sold.
Metro Theatre in Koreatown is apparently going to be converted into a healthclub/gym and retail. Should do well in that neighbourhood.
— Rami Kozman (@ramikozman) March 21, 2014
The Metro opened in 1938 across from Christie Pits as a "normal" theatre and later became Bloor West's go-to porn cinema in the 1970s. The space is 5,450 square feet with two theatres of 300 seats. Local residents have complained about the theatre over the years; the space desperately needing a revitalization of the aged building and the theatre turning into more of a cheap motel than an adult cinema. If the rumours are true, a fitness studio could be a good option for the building with limited gyms in the area. The main gym in the neighbourhood is the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre at Bloor and Spadina, and Trainers Fitness on the Mirvish Block will eventually close its doors after the Honest Ed's corner is redeveloped. Should the former theatre trade their porn for a fitness studio? Have your say in the comments below?
· Bloor Locals Hate "Canyon of Condos" Destroying the Neighbourhood [Curbed Toronto]
· Metro Theatre Closes, Ending an Era of Porn Cinema [CBC]