King Spadina

For much of the first half of the 20th century, the area around King Spadina echoed with the hum of industry. Garments, lithography, watches and biscuits—just to name a few—were all manufactured in the many brick and beam buildings that define the neighbourhood. But in the 1960s and 70s, the decline of industry had left many of the former factories and warehouses vacant and underutilized. As time passed, the risk of demolition increased as obsolescence and neglect took their toll.  

Something needed to change if we were to preserve this historic neighbourhood.

Join us on a walk as we explore how the loosening of planning rules—as well as the vision and grit of some early adopters—set a new course for this neighbourhood’s future: now one of the fastest growing and most fashionable mixed-use areas in the city.  We’ll see examples of how former industrial buildings have been transformed into new uses, as well as contemporary buildings that take design queues from the existing fabric around them. Along the way, we’ll discuss the challenges and opportunities of repurposing existing structures and the role new buildings can play in preserving our past. Included in this tour are important community landmarks like 401 Richmond, as well as some of the city’s newest additions like the Ace Hotel and the Waterworks Building.