Redevelopment
In 2001, the site was purchased by Cityscape Holdings Inc., which transformed the district into a pedestrian-orientated area with unique streetscapes that feature spatial qualities and façade (building face) characteristics that allow people to identify with. In addition the integration of arts, culture and entertainment helps to create a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood.
In 2003, the district was reopened to the public to great acclaim. The new owners refused to lease any of the retail and restaurant space to chains or franchises, and accordingly, the majority of the buildings are occupied with unique boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, jewellery stores, cafés, and coffeehouses, including a well-known microbrewery, the Mill Street Brewery. The upper floors of a number of buildings have been leased to artists as studio spaces and to office tenants with a "creative focus". A new theatre, the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, has opened on the site and serves as the home of the Soulpepper Theatre Company and the drama productions of nearby George Brown College. There are plans to develop residential condominiums, offices, and more retail space on the vacant lands that surround the district.
The neighbourhoods redevelopment has changed the appearance and function of the area. Prior to the development the areas primary land use was industrial. Today it now incorporates a mixed-use development that focuses on entertainment and cultural aspects. Observations regarding issues such as gentrification can arise from developments such as this. That being said, it is important to use concrete evidence such as census data and physical evidence to make conclusions about the area. Sections such as the "Demographic" and "Other Points of Interest" can provide additional insight on how this is done}
Regardless of any criticism, the preservation and active reuse of the historic buildings has been widely praised. The Distillery District is a National Historic Site, and has been designated for protection under the Ontario Heritage Act since 1976. It was listed by National Geographic magazine as a "top pick" in Canada for travellers.
The Distillery District is an excellent example of successful brown field regeneration. The concept of brown field regeneration is to redevelopment underutilized industrial or commercial land that has been contaminated or no longer functions as its previous use. Prior to the Distillery Districts regeneration the area was used as a film location for numerous Hollywood movies. Although this did bring some use to the area, the buildings and site was poorly maintained and did not provide a service or function to the surrounding community and the City of Toronto.
During the regeneration, the old industrial buildings were refitted with a series of mixed-use development and placed special emphasis on the creation of a functional entertainment and art district that incorporated commercial, residential and institutional uses. For example the location of the original Tank House buildings have been redeveloped to incorporate the Yonge Center of Performing Arts and George Brown College. Today the Distillery has preserved the distinctive heritage aspects of the area and brought a new life into district.
Read more about this topic: Distillery District