Tour the Brick Works
Former Toronto brownfield site to take on imaginative new uses: farmers' market, office, studio and event space for rent, a café, garden centre, winter skating rink and ongoing arts, crafts and educational activities
Some of the bricks remain in the brick factory from when the site was abandoned in the 1980s. The 52,000-square-foot building features kilns and drying tunnels and will eventually receive a new roof and be brought up to modern building codes. The plan is to leave much of it in its raw state so that visitors can explore and appreciate the industrial heritage.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
Evergreen Gardens: Roof material was removed from the southern portion of this building, but the original steel trusses will remain so that white pines can grow up through the openings. In warm weather, the 20,000-square-foot space will showcase sustainable urban greening and teach visitors how to plant their own gardens with native plants. In winter, a contoured area winding around central garden mounds will become an ice skating trail.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
Centre for Urban Sustainability: The only new building on the site, the five-storey office building is designed to LEED Platinum standards, one of a handful in Canada and the only one designated for a heritage site. Office space is being leased to tenants with a strong commitment to environmental and social issues.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
The John Price brick press which was made in Toronto.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
There were once four chimneys that together displayed the name Don Valley Brick Works. At the base of the lone surviving chimney will be the Children's Nature Playground featuring gardens, fruit trees, berry bushes an open-air bake oven and an indoor children's kitchen. The playground will also include a treehouse made of salvaged materials and an area for hands-on construction projects.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
The south façade of the brick factory building, where the kilns are located. The company was renamed the Toronto Brick Company by a new owner in the 1920s.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
A north-facing view of the property. The slope and cliff reveal what's left of the quarry's original deep footprint.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
Selective demolition was performed on this building which was constructed around 1912 and used to store sand lime. It is considered unsafe but will be stabilized for eventual restoration. To the right, preparations are being made for the Children's Nature Playground.Fernando Morales/The Globe and Mail