Spook in the City: Royal York's Crystal Ballroom

Chandeliers were trembling above us as John and I shot the last Spook in the City episode in the The Royal York on one of its tops floors. As far as I had learned in my research, the floor above us had been empty for years ago and couldn't be reopened because of stringent changes to building code. So what could it have been that was causing the shaking ceiling? I also couldn't explain what was happening to my camera as I tried shot after shot. The screen went dark. The camera shut off. Then it restarted and flashed error over and over. Finally I got one quick blurry take and we hauled it out of there.

Last weekend drew me back to the Royal York for a swish black tie event to honour Alliance Atlantis chairman Michael MacMillan on behalf of Toronto East General Hospital. As I mingled outside the Canadiana Room with the likes of Julian Fantino, Carla Collins and top players in medicine and broadcasting I found myself drawn to find out more about the abandoned Crystal Ballroom on the top floor of the Royal York. I wandered into the staff areas and over to the service elevators but no one I asked could tell me any more than I'd already gleaned from Haunted Ontario. I'm so intrigued now I need to see this ballroom, but I suppose that will only happen if a mystery guest decides to take me there.