Living @ PAL

Our residence offers a range of activities appealing to most everyone’s appetite. From a variety of group activities, or on one’s own, there’s always space for play, reflection, creativity, exploration and more!

A bit of paradise perched high above the city

Collage of garden scenes including flowers, a rooftop garden, and urban skyline.
Collage of rooftop city scenes with people, flowers, and architecture.

Rooftop Garden

One of the first rooftop gardens in downtown Toronto, it offers a spectacular view day or night! Residents enjoy nurturing their own designated space.

The multiple raised gardens create more accessibility and accommodate those with limited mobility.  Residents socialize surrounded by flower and vegetable gardens, two barbecues, and comfortable outdoor seating.

New Rooftop - a dream come true! Summer 2024 

Outdoor patio with pergola, seating area, people socializing, and plants in rectangular planters.
Rooftop patio rendering with pergola, tables, chairs, and people socializing; surrounded by potted plants and flowers.
Outdoor patio area with people gathered under a pergola, sitting and standing by tables, surrounded by planters with yellow flowers.
Rooftop terrace with pergola and seating, surrounded by planters with purple and yellow flowers.

Colin Miller Library

Collage of a library with bookshelves, seating area, and people reading or interacting with books.

After immigrating to Canada, Colin Miller worked primarily as a stage actor. Anecdotal memories from those who knew him, refer to his being a very generous person. Colin was instrumental in creating the library that bears his name. 

Our well-stocked library of books and video include many with a focus on the arts and creative contributors. Librarian, Shirley Lewis, oversees the collection with the help of volunteers.

Befitting a performing arts organization, the library has a sizeable collection of plays and other performing arts material.

Collage of older adults participating in a dance and exercise class, with various activities like stretching, dancing, and sitting in a circle.

Ken Wickes Studio

The studio is a multi-purpose, mirrored space and provides groups or individuals a place for exercise classes, workshops. rehearsals, etc.

A small, corner room has some soundproofing. Many PAL residents are working actors, singers, musicians, use the space to record. 

The Studio honours the memory of a beloved PAL Toronto resident Kenneth (Ken) Wickes (1923 - 2017) Born in the U.K., he moved to Canada where he continued his distinguished theatre career. Ken devoted decades to fundraising as Treasurer for The Actors' Fund of Canada, and was a founding member of The Performing Arts Lodges Toronto.  

St. Lawrence Neighbourhood

Toronto's most historic location, known for its community innovations under the leadership of former Mayor David Crombie.

Step outside our front door to an amazing variety of restaurants, coffee shops, assorted retail stores, and Toronto's renowned theatre district. 

The centrepiece, the St. Lawrence Market, attracts many tourists and offers a diverse mix of stalls selling fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and other goods. In April 2012, the National Geographic named the St. Lawrence Market the World's Best Food Market.  

Add in the amazing architecture of the Gooderham Flatiron Building, the pastoral beauty of St. James Park, the Berczy Park 's light-hearted dog fountain, and the elegant wide boulevards of The Esplanade. 

Collage of urban scenes including snow-covered streets, a cafe with flowers, iconic architecture, trees in a city sidewalk, and a costumed character resembling Spider-Man.
Middle-aged man with short gray hair smiling, wearing a black shirt, against a maroon background.

PAUL AMATO

I enjoy living at PAL because it keeps my artist dreams alive. Knowing that there are like-minded people in the building, and walking down the halls, you can still sometimes hear people singing or playing an instrument or practicing their lines for a script. All inspiring for the artist mindset. I need that to feel positive about life. PAL allows me to be who I am.