Universal Music Canada opening office, performance space in Liberty Village

Universal Music Canada (UMC) announced Tuesday that it will be leaving its current home in North York and opening a new office in Toronto's Liberty Village neighbourhood, at 80 Atlantic Ave.

UMC president Jeffrey Remedios said he hopes the new office, which will occupy the ground-floor of the soon-to-be-constructed building, will be a hub for nascent Toronto talent.

"80 Atlantic will be the next phase of the growth and evolution of our city's music community as we build greater resources and support for artists, enabling them to fully refine their craft at home," he said.

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Included in the office are plans for a performance space, recording studioand a "motion and content creation space" alongside regular offices.

It's all part of Universal's move towards becoming a "music-focused media company," said Remedios.

John Tory was on hand at the announcement to give his blessing, telling the crowd that "this is the kind of creativity and innovation that I want to see in every corner of Toronto."

The recording studios will be open to independent musicians as well as Universal recording artists, a category which includes Canadian music heavyweights like Drake, The Weeknd, Alessia Cara and Shawn Mendes.