Toronto's Old Warehouses - a Tour of Iconic Buildings

While Toronto is now a bustling city filled with tech co-working spaces, restaurants, and professional service offices on every block, there used to be another major industry within the city, warehousing. And although modern warehouses have moved to Mississauga and other neighboring cities the structures of iconic warehouses remain.

Take one quick walk through most city districts, and you should easily spot one of these iconic buildings. However, a few examples stand out above the rest for their storied history and adaptability, narrating how Toronto evolved from its working-class roots into today's cosmopolitan mosaic.

Gooderham and Worts Distillery

The Gooderham and Worts Complex includes 30 brick and stone industrial buildings, including offices, manufacturing areas, and warehouses, all located on 13 acres of land at the intersection of Trinity and Mill streets on the eastern edge of downtown Toronto. 

The buildings were a major construction project for the city that started in 1859 and finished in 1927. Once in operation, the complex produced, packaged, stored, and developed spirits for the Gooderham and Worts firm.

Gooderham and Worts operated from this location for over 100 years, before they were sold to Allied Lyons in 1987.

Today, many of these buildings still stand, but they are used for different purposes. The majority of the complexes have been transformed into premier art galleries and entertainment destinations. The district also contains trendy restaurants and cafes.

The Toronto Carpet Factory

Nestled in Liberty Village is another treasure in an antique warehouse—the Toronto Carpet Factory. Located at 1179 King Street West and 74 Fraser Avenue, this warehouse is an icon in Toronto's industrial history.

Built between 1899 and 1920, this sprawling behemoth—from which countless rolls of carpets and rugs have been manufactured—was created to keep up with the demand for ingrain and chenille Axminster carpets.

By the end of WW1, over 1000 people worked in the factory, setting the benchmark for industrial productivity in early 20th-century Toronto. 

Spanning across multiple blocks with robust construction techniques and modern features, the manufacturing warehouse possessed steam-generated heat and an underground area storing tens of thousands of gallons of water for emergency use. 

It was a revolutionary design and structure that still stands today, and a maze of steam pipes continues to deliver heat throughout the site. 

401 Richmond

Last but certainly not least on our list of iconic buildings is 401 Richmond—a repurposed warehouse standing proudly at Richmond Street West.

Built in 1899 and fashioned to accommodate Macdonald Manufacturing Company's burgeoning tinware production line. At the time, it featured big steam whistles that announced starting and quitting times to its workers and was a crucial part of the local community.

Back in the day, horse-drawn wagons would arrive at the facility four times per day to gather shipments to distribute across Toronto. Its design epitomizes the standard industrial facade, with a brick exterior and large airy windows which were essential for detailed factory work. 

The building struggled to find tenants between 1967 and 1994, and it was not until a new group headed by Margie Zeidler came along that truly breathed new life into the building. 

Today's occupancy ranges from galleries to non-profits, all supporting one another to create a miniature village within the building. 

Taking a trip down memory lane is an exciting and informative way to learn about our past and how developmental plans in the city have shifted over time. The examples provided here are just a few of the iconic buildings in the city, and there are a lot more examples of how warehouses have shaped the landscape. 

As market leaders in e-commerce order fulfillment, co-packing, transportation, and 3PL warehousing services within Toronto, we leverage our specialized expertise in the distribution industry. Our clientele spans across a multitude of industries, boasting some of the globe’s most renowned companies.