Tandem

Veteran Toronto architect Jack Diamond has big plans for his latest local project, the new home for opera and ballet in the city. Speaking at a downtown news conference earlier this month, Diamond said he would like to see the new Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts - the future home of both the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada - to be considered one of the top two or three opera houses in the world. "We want this building to have more than 15 minutes of fame," Diamond said. Construction has begun on the new arts centre, which occupies a city block southeast of Queen Street and University Avenue. The province donated the land, valued at $31 million, and the federal government has contributed $25 million. The Four Seasons hotel chain has made a commitment of $20 million for naming rights to the unique complex.