Adaptive reuse case studies: Don Valley Brick Works (Toronto)

Street address: 550 Bayview Avenue

Year built: 1889-1970

Builder: John Taylor and William Taylor

Original purpose: This former quarry and industrial site in Toronto’s Don River Valley operated for nearly 100 years. It provided bricks used to construct most of the city’s best-known landmarks, such as Casa Loma, Osgoode Hall, Massey Hall and the Ontario Legislature. Digging up clay for all these bricks left a massive depression in the land around this complex. But once the city began excavating for its subway system, that land was refilled and, today, the original quarry site has been converted into a city park, including naturalized ponds.

Adaptive reuse: In 2010, Evergreen transformed a collection of deteriorating heritage buildings into a global showcase for green design and an award-winning public space. Throughout the year, the site hosts public markets, children’s programming, events and conferences, public art and nature play in the heart of Toronto’s ravine system. But as early as 1991, Evergreen has been focused on revitalizing outdoor spaces into green, sustainable places for everyone. The Ontario Heritage Trust holds a conservation easement on this site to protect it into the future.

Adapted by: Evergreen

Awards: Various

Links: