Toronto Condo and Real Estate Blog

By Lloyd Alter - Design & Architecture

Much of Toronto is built from John Price bricks made from clay dug at the Don Valley Brick Works from 1889 through 1984. Now a $55 million environmental and architectural makeover has been announced for the site.

Robert Oullette writes “For more than a generation now one of Toronto’s most compelling public spaces has remained hidden in full view of the thousands of commuters who travel along the Don Valley. The Brick Works, figurative birthplace to much of old Toronto’s red-orange patina, sat waiting for a purpose worthy of its potential.

Then along came Geoff Cape and Evergreen (”Imagine your city with nature”) and everything changed. Infused with a green vision for the city, Evergreen imagined the rusting buildings and gouged earth on the site as an ideal test bed to research urban-based environmental change.”

Seven design firms, including landscape planner du Toit Allsopp Hillier and architects Diamond and Schmitt collaborated on the plan, which involves transforming 16 aging industrial buildings formerly used to make bricks.

Those buildings are currently “a giant swath of asphalt,” according to Joe Lobko, a partner with duToit Allsopp Hillier and lead designer on the project.

“The first thing we have to do is heal the site and create a range of outdoor public spaces,” Lobko said.

But the jewel in the crown is the new welcome centre and administration building, designed by Diamond + Schmitt Architects.

The addition, which will be constructed atop the original walls of Brick Works building 12, is unique from all angles. It reflects Evergreen’s desire for the new design to blend in among the existing buildings, all but one of which are designated as historic sites by the City of Toronto.

“It’s a new insertion that looks like it’s been there a while,” said architect Michael Leckman of Diamond + Schmitt.

The north and west walls feature a sliding track system, which allows for a movable and changeable ‘‘skin” to be displayed on the exterior of the building.

“[We're thinking] about buildings that can be living things, that can change their expression over time,” said project coordinator Joe Lobko of du Toit Architects.

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information - 416-388-1960

The Niagara neighbourhood has a rich history that dates back to 1793, when it  was part of a military garrison for the fledgling Town of York. Old Fort York, is still standing on Garrison Road, between Bathurst Street and Strachan Avenue.

Street names in the Niagara neighbourhood are reminders of its military past. For example: Stanley Street is named after the former Stanley Barracks now located on the Exhibition grounds, Niagara Street is named after the former military capital of Upper Canada, and Tecumseh Street is named for the great warrior chief of the Shawnee, who fought for Canada, in the war of 1812.

The second chapter in this neighbourhood’s history began in the 1850’s, when Niagara emerged as a prominent industrial centre. Niagara’s factories and mills created a demand for workers housing which led ultimately to the residential development of the Niagara neighbourhood in the mid to late 1800’s.

Niagara is a mixed residential and industrial neighbourhood. As of 1994 the City of Toronto had recorded approximately 3,107 dwelling units, and 647 industrial firms in the Niagara neighbourhood. This neighbourhood is now in transition however as the trend is towards more residential accomodations and less industry.

The physical and social centre of Niagara is Stanley Park, a multi-recreational facility that is well used by area residents. Niagara offers convenient access to Toronto’s business and entertainment districts. It is also very handy to the Skydome, Exhibition Place, the Harbourfront, and the Toronto Islands.

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information - 416-388-1960

The land on which the St. Lawrence neighbourhood is built was originally part of the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Immediately to the north of here, above Front Street, was the Town of York, the forerunner to the City of Toronto.

The site of the present day St. Lawrence neighbourhood was created from landfill in the early 1800’s. It was originally intended to serve as a public promenade with a grand Esplanade along the waterfront. However the city turned the land over to the railways, which in turn attracted industry to the St. Lawrence area.

By the early 1900’s, St. Lawrence had become one of Toronto’s most prominent industrial centres. It remained a vital industrial area until the late 1940’s, when Toronto’s industrial base began moving outside of the city.

Consequently, St. Lawrence went into a period of decline which lasted until the 1970’s, when Toronto politicians made the decision to create the present day St. Lawrence neighbourhood.

Planned and developed by the City of Toronto in the 1970’s as a mixed use housing development, the St.Lawrence neighbourhood has been critically acclaimed as a major success story in urban planning. It has become a model for the design and planning of new neighbourhoods across North America.

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information - 416-388-1960