Orillia Opera House


Orillia Opera House is an historic building home to a local opera company in the city of Orillia, Ontario, Canada.

History

The Richardsonian Romanesque building was built in 1895, replacing the first permanent town hall built in 1874, to house Orillia City Council and the local jail.
The original structure was designed by Toronto architecture firm Gordon & Helliwell and completed in 1895.

1915 fire

A fire in 1915 destroyed much of the building and was rebuilt less the south tower when it re-opened in 1917. The rebuilt structure retains Richardsonian Romanesque style.

1958 to present

A new front entrance was completed in 1958. Orillia City Council vacated in 1997 and Orillia Opera became the sole tenant in the building.

Interior

The building's interior consisted of Council chambers, a 905-seat auditorium, city hall offices, library, market stalls and jail.