The Centre for Social Innovation, known as CSI, rents five event spaces for 25 to 220 guests and seven meeting rooms for 10 to 30 people in downtown Toronto. Its Spadina location, at 192 Spadina Avenue, is a coworking hub for the social mission sector. CSI says its spaces have hosted everything from book signings to annual general meetings to weddings.
Seminars and company events
For larger gatherings, CSI offers event spaces, which it describes as larger open-concept areas, sometimes combined with meeting rooms. The Spadina Lounge on the ground floor holds up to 220 people. Suite 101 on the first floor and the Spadina Atrium on the ground floor each hold 100. Suite 201 on the second floor holds 25, and the CCFE Solutions Salon on the fifth floor holds 32. Most of these spaces serve as member lounges during business hours and are not available until 5 p.m. on weekdays. The exceptions are the Garage at CSI Annex and Suite 101 at CSI Spadina.
For board meetings, team meetings and smaller activities, CSI offers meeting rooms. These are smaller enclosed rooms. Bookings should include the time needed to set up and clean up.
Weddings and receptions
CSI lists weddings among the events held in its spaces. The event spaces suit receptions and celebrations from 25 to 220 guests, with the Spadina Lounge as the largest room. Member discounts, which the site states do not apply to weddings, are one reason couples should ask for a quote through the booking form.
Rooms and capacities
The event spaces are Suite 201 (25), the CCFE Solutions Salon (32), Suite 101 (100), the Spadina Atrium (100) and the Spadina Lounge (220). Suite 101, the Spadina Atrium and the Spadina Lounge are marked as accessible, as is Suite 201. The meeting rooms are the Raging Grannies Room and the Wuttunee Room on the fourth floor (10 each), Meeting Room B and Meeting Room C on the ground floor (10 each), the Alterna Savings Room on the ground floor (12), the Bigger, Bolder Room on the ground floor (20) and the Viola Desmond Room on the third floor (30). A private dining space is also listed on the site.
Catering
The pages provided do not describe catering rules or a caterer list. Ask the events team about food and drink when requesting a quote.
History and setting
CSI presents itself as an internationally recognised pioneer of shared coworking space for social innovation in Canada. It also runs a Spadina location and an Annex location. The centre serves changemakers and organisations in the social mission sector, and its event spaces bring that community together.
Getting there
The Spadina location is at 192 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON M5T 2C2. Event spaces need a three-hour minimum rental. Event cancellations must be made in writing 10 business days ahead, and meeting room cancellations 24 hours ahead. Rentals are invoiced electronically. Questions go to the events team at events@socialinnovation.ca.
