1331 Yonge Street

1331 Yonge Street was the civic address of an office and studio complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, It is located on Yonge Street, three blocks south of St. Clair Avenue. The building previously served as the headquarters of CHUM Radio, a division of CTVglobemedia, and to the studios of the company's Toronto radio stations, CHUM and CHUM-FM.

Originally a book bindery and showroom, the building was renovated in 1959 for CHUM (AM)s operations, and also eventually housed CHUM-FM, 1050 CHUM and CHUM Radio's national operations. The most prominent feature of the building's exterior is the famous "CHUM Dial 1050" neon sign over the front entrance.

In July 2008, CTVglobemedia announced that it would sell the building to developer Aspen Ridge Homes for $21.5 million.[1] The stations were expected to move to 250 Richmond Street West, a downtown location located at Richmond Street and Simcoe Street near 299 Queen Street West, in 2009.[2] The neon sign was moved to the new location.[3]

In preparation for the move, the stations held an open house on November 15, 2008, inviting listeners to visit for a tour of the historic building and an exhibit of CHUM's radio memorabilia.[4]

The company's radio stations were officially relocated to 250 Richmond Street West on August 19, 2009 which is now Bell Media Radio. The 1331 Yonge Street building is now owned by Aspen Ridge Homes and is being demolished to make way for new luxury condos.

1331 Yonge Street appeared in the background of Bell Media's Discovery Channel (Canada) show Cash Cab. The front view camera showed the "CHUM Dial 1050". Then another camera shows the building as they pass by. At the time the building was still owned by CTVglobemedia.

References

  1. ^ Scott Fybush, Northeast Radio Watch, July 28, 2008.
  2. ^ Marc Weisblott, "CHUM's blinking sign", eye weekly, August 5, 2008.
  3. ^ Theresa Boyle, "CHUM site slated for luxury condos", Toronto Star, July 29, 2008.
  4. ^ Scott Fybush, Northeast Radio Watch, November 17, 2008.