The Stone Distillery, View from south-east

The Stone Distillery is an 1859 heritage industrial building in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the oldest and largest building in the Distillery District complex of Gooderham & Worts Distillery buildings.

Description

Designed by David Roberts, Sr. the building was constructed between 1858 and 1861 using limestone shipped from nearby Kingston, Ontario and double-timber beams for a total of $150,000, the equivalent of $3,800,000 in 2015.[1] The building was constructed to house a grist mill, power house, and mashing and distilling functions in the five-storey main building, and fermenting in the one-storey western extension.[2]

The Stone Distillery has a dominating presence in the Distillery District, owing largely to its massive size and materials. The 300 by 80-foot (24 m) building is an outstanding representation of Victorian industrial architecture, while also echoing ancient Florentine architecture. Each storey in the main building is separated by a course of stone, and the larger first floor and square windows seat it firmly to the ground. The simple facade is punctuated by a rhythmic pattern of windows separated by circular iron tie plates. The entire building is also tied together by a simple colour scheme of warm grey limestone with dark green accents on the windows, doors, and other ornamentation.

History

In 1869, an explosion in the fermenting cellar caused a massive fire to engulf the building, destroying the wooden interior, but leaving the stone and machinery largely undamaged. The building was reconstructed and reopened in May 1870.[3]

During World War I and World War II, the distillery was used to produce explosive agents for the war effort, but returned to distilling in 1945 and remained productive until 1990.[4] For the next ten years the distillery no longer produced alcohol, but instead served as the backdrop for hundreds of movies, such as Chicago and X-Men, in part helping to earn Toronto the name "Hollywood North".[5]

In 2001 a major revitalization project began in the Distillery District, and in 2003 it was opened as a pedestrian-only arts and cultural centre.[6] Today the building is home to restaurants, galleries, offices, and other services.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gibson, Sally. “Building Histories: Building 5 (Stone Distillery).” Distillery District Heritage Website, 15 June 2008. Web. 16 October 2010.
  2. ↑ Gibson, Sally. “Architecture: David Roberts, Sr.” Distillery District Heritage Website, 16 September 2007 Web. 16 October 2010.
  3. ↑ Gibson, Sally. “Great Fire of ‘69.” Distillery District Heritage Website, 21 October 2007. Web. 16 October 2010.
  4. ↑ Gibson, Sally. “Gooderham & Worts: ‘Doings Its Bit’.” Distillery District Heritage Website, 11 November 2007. Web. 16 October 2010.
  5. ↑ Gibson, Sally. “Hollywood North at the Distillery District.” Distillery District Heritage Website, 24 February 2008. Web. 16 October 2010.
  6. ↑ McClelland, Michael. “Learning from the Distillery District.” Canadian Architect, Feb. 2005. Web. 16 October 2010.

43°38′59″N 79°21′36″E / 43.6498°N 79.3600°E / 43.6498; 79.3600

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