Wychwood Barns used to house streetcars until approximately 1985.
Then they lay abandoned for years.
In 1998, the City of Toronto took over ownership of the site.
WYCHWOOD TTC BARNS then ....
Old Photos courtesy of City of Toronto archives
In 2004 the City gave approval for Artscape to begin rezoning and RESTORING the buildings, and make the space into what it is today - a park, art studio and live/work spaces; a greenhouse; a dog park; a place to sit and read a book; a farmer's market ....
WORK IN PROGRESS AT THE BARNS....
(construction in progress @ August 2008 - Copyright Sylvie Conde)
(August 2008)
Instead of street cars, the Barns now house 13 not-for-profit organizations, 15 artist studios and 26 live/work spaces. It also provides the general public with access to arts and culture.
There is also a greenhouse, an outdoor bake oven, and a food education centre.
The STOP Community Food Centre teaches people of all ages about healthy, sustainable food.
The covered Barn can be rented by the general public for numerous functions, such as weddings, conferences, etc. The Barns are wheelchair accessible.
The Park at the Barns includes a children's play area, (also an ice-rink in the Winter), an off-leash dog area, a volleyball court and picnic tables...
..... 150 trees, 1,500 shrubs and 900 perennials will also be planted.
There is also a Farmer's Market every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 12 (noon).
The Farm moves outside in the Summer.
WYCHWOOD BARNS now...
(Farmer's Market entrance)
© Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.
Photos are copyrighted property of Sylvie Conde.
Do not reproduce or reprint without the express written permission of Sylvie Conde.
These buildings are part of our industrial heritage - they were beautifully restored.
There is geothermal heating, ventilation and a/c with ground source heat pumps, energy efficient lighting and appliances, and rainwater is collected for irrigation and flushing toilets (toilets are ultra-low flushing @ 3 litres per flush). The siding part of the building facing Benson Street is made of recycled plastic. The white roof of the building reduces the heat in the Summer and helps to keep the building cooler.
This is the first heritage site in Canada to be LEED certified.
Wychwood Barns is located on Christie Street, just South of St. Clair.
This is a great place to hang out, read a book, walk your dog, have lunch at the park, go to the Saturday morning Farmer's market .... take in a movie on movie night ....
So much to do, so close to home .... and it's FREE.
If you're interested in holding an event at the Wychwood Barns and wish to rent space,
you can call 416-392-7834.
Toronto Real Estate by Sylvie Conde, Broker
Sutton Group-Associates Realty Inc., Brokerage 416-966-0300
sconde@sutton.com
www.sylvieconde.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comments(8)