Adaptive reuse case studies: Old Don Jail (Toronto)

Street address: 550 Gerrard Street East

Year built: 1859-64

Builder: William Thomas

Original purpose: Built in the Renaissance revival style, the Don Jail was constructed to be a new and progressive “Jail and a House of Refuge.” Built to shelter Toronto’s poor, needy and disabled, the jail was converted into an isolation hospital during a smallpox epidemic that began in the 1870s. Over the years, various hospitals were constructed on this site, but the old jail closed in 1977.

Adaptive reuse: The Riverdale Hospital opened on this site in 1963; it was renamed the Bridgepoint Hospital in 2002. The new Bridgepoint Hospital opened in 2013. While no longer an active jail, the Old Don Jail has been converted into administrative offices and a patient rehabilitation centre for Bridgepoint. The jail is protected by an Ontario Heritage Trust conservation easement.

Adapted by: Bridgepoint Active Healthcare

Awards:William Greer Architectural Conservation and Craftsmanship Award of Excellence from Heritage Toronto

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