In the summer, Toronto’s east-end is a vibrating, music-filled neighbourhood by the water. In the winter, says Beaches-East York Coun. Mary-Margaret McMahon, it becomes a “quiet resort town.”

That will change next year, after the City of Toronto approved an application to convert part of a building that currently hosts an off-track betting facility and movie theatre into an indoor live music venue.

The venue is projected to open in October 2018, at 1661 Queen Street East, and will hold 2,700 people, averaging 150 shows year.

“I’m hoping it will add more vibrancy (to the neighbourhood),” said McMahon. “Wake up the sleepy east.”

McMahon said that the venue, to be operated by Live Nation, is currently in the design stage, and working on sound-proofing.

Documents in the application show two thirds of the existing race track in the building will be converted into a theatre for live performances, including a partial second floor addition.

“The live performance theatre will provide additional cultural space within the neighbourhood, and will provide additional active uses along this stretch of Queen Street,” reads the application letter.

A representative of Live Nation refused comment, saying “discussions are on-going with the landlord and we are not in a position to comment at this time.”

The venue has good access to public transit and parking facilities, and will have more next year, says McMahon. Bike share have been proposed for Queen Street East, she says, and should increase the number of stations in the area.

The news comes at the end of a year that has seen seven city music venues close, including the Queen West rock bar The Hideout, folk venue Hugh’s Room, Soybomb, dance club The Hoxton, the Silver Dollar, Holy Oak, and Harlem on Richmond St. East.

Massey Hall will also close for a couple of years starting next summer to undergo renovations.

We have a large amount of musicians in the east end,” said McMahon. “We’re trying to become a music city and this helps push that mandate forward and it helps people enjoy music without going all the way downtown and attracts other people to the Beaches.”

As for what kind of musical acts she hopes the venue will attract, “I’ll take anyone and everyone,” she said.