Ryerson commemorates Sam the Record Man

Artist's rendering of the new Student Learning Centre at the site of the Sam the Record Man store. The Centre will provide Ryerson students with an outstanding environment to study, collaborate and discover. The stunning new building will be a transformative, bold development and an important step forward in city building.

Ryerson commemorates Sam the Record Man and history of music on Yonge Street

In 2008, Ryerson University acquired property at the corner of Yonge and Gould Streets, the site of the Sam the Record Man store since 1961, to develop its new Student Learning Centre. The former Sam’s store included a large neon sign facing Yonge Street that served as a symbol of the street for a generation of Torontonians.

Ryerson recognizes the significance the Sam’s sign has to the many people who have fond memories of its important place at the corner of Yonge and Gould. As our redevelopment of Maple Leaf Gardens demonstrates, Ryerson is committed to preserving this city’s heritage.

For the past 18 months we have been working in good faith with City of Toronto staff and our local councillor to give effect to the agreement dated August 15, 2008 between Ryerson University and City of Toronto.

Section 4.2 of that agreement provides that Ryerson, during the consultation process, shall make reasonable best efforts to identify an opportunity to incorporate the refurbished signs in an appropriate location on the Ryerson Yonge Street Lands known as 341, 347 and 349 Yonge Street – the site of the former store. In the event that Ryerson, using its reasonable best efforts is unable to identify an appropriate location for the signs on the Ryerson Yonge Street Lands, Ryerson shall relocate the signs onto the south (Gould Street) façade of the Library building.

Since 2008 and working with the City Ryerson has explored a variety of options to locate the signs on the Yonge Street Lands. Unfortunately each of the options ran into a host of issues including architectural, environmental and safety challenges and had any of the options been implemented the University would have been roundly and rightly criticized.

Working with City of Toronto’s Heritage Preservation Services and Councillor Wong-Tam we have developed a strategy that includes two specific elements:

1. Securing the restoration and installation of the sign in an alternative location that is satisfactory to the city;
2. Executing a vibrant, colourful and educational commemoration inlaid into the sidewalk on Yonge Street at the location of the original Sam the Record Man's doors along with an informative commemorative web site.

The amendment that was approved by Toronto and East York Community Council will provide more options to consider that meet stringent environmental and safety standards and, we believe, will meet the spirit of the original Agreement. 

September 27, 2013 letter to Mayor Ford

The Toronto Heritage Preservation Services report to Community Council recommending amending the Agreement.

Want to know more about the Agreement or the recent amendment? Consult the Sam's sign FAQ  

The commemoration plan for the Sam's site prepared by ERA Architects and Zeidler Partner Architects  

Visit the extensive website commemorating the role that Yonge Street has played in the development of the Canadian music industry commissioned by Ryerson with a special tribute to the role Sam’s played on Yonge Street.

Read a letter from former Ward 27 Councillor Kyle Rae supporting the Amendment at Toronto and East York Community Council

See the spectacular design and follow the progress of the acclaimed Student Learning Centre rising at Yonge and Gould Streets in downtown Toronto.  

August 15 2008 Agreement with the City of Toronto