Built in 1889 by Gordon & Helliwell for the West End branch of the Toronto Young Men's Christian Association, the building has served as the headquarters of several organizations throughout its history, including the Royal Templars of Temperance, the Independent Order of Foresters, and the Polish National Union.

It underwent a significant restoration project by Triangle Development that was completed in 2016 and reopened as an events venue in September of that year.

The corner features rounded oriel windows that project out on the second and third floors and are topped by an ogee roof.

[3][4] The Queen Street front features the main entrance which is 10 ft (3.0 m) wide with pilasters on either side.

[7] The West End branch of the Toronto Young Men's Christian Association began searching for a site to erect a building in 1887.

acquired a lot measuring 50 by 130 ft (15 by 40 m) on the corner of Queen Street West and Dovercourt Road, and engaged a firm, Gordon & Helliwell, to design a building that would cost no more than C$30,000.

[3][4] S. J. Moore, chairman of the West End Y.M.C.A., laid the cornerstone for the building on November 13, 1889, and the construction completed in less than a year.

[11] Soon after, the Royal Templars elected to consolidate their offices and move their headquarters from Hamilton, Ontario, to their newly acquired building which they were due to take possession of in October 1912.

[11][12] Then known as the Royal Templar Hall, the building was the site of cultural and political events, such as lectures, entertainment, and a "well-baby" clinic.

In 1929, the Royal Templar Hall hosted a debate between Sam McBride and Bert Wemp in the election for Mayor of Toronto.

[17][19] In October 2017, the restoration of The Great Hall received the William Greer Architectural Conservation and Craftsmanship Award from Heritage Toronto in the Honourable Mention category reserved for smaller projects.