Steamwhistle building (John Street Roundhouse) of cultural interest

Either than the fact that it houses precious cargo - beer! -- the Steamwhistle building (John Street Roundhouse) and the surrounding buildings have been declared a "cultural heritage value or interest." Nice to have and area to seek relief from yet another modern glass-built condominium (we know, don't throw stones if you live in glass houses and we all do here on Queens Quay.)

This fine collection of buildings -- the roundhouse, the water tower -- is of interesting heritage value and shows, of course, the industrial past of this city. What we're not sure is what exactly a sand and coal loader is. Anyone have any ideas? The plot of land is actually pretty desirable as they've built up a park to surround it.

There's also this building that was moved to the location -- it says 'Cabin D' -- we think.



The roundhouse's tenant, Steamwhistle, has opened up the doors of its buildings to corporate clients (many a Christmas party has been held there) or for public events (It was used a post-race party area for St. Patrick's day road race or for a gallery).

We think the Steamwhistle building is a fine addition to other Queens Quay landmarks: The Redpath building, which is still being used, and the Malting plant building.

Here's a report (PDF to html) that sums up the interesting history of the place

"The John Street Roundhouse was completed in 1931 as a semi-circular structure with 32 bays that originally serviced steam locomotives (and later diesel engines). The Canadian Pacific Railway operated the facility until 1982, and closed the building in 1986. The property at 222 Bremner Boulevard was listed on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties in 1984 and designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in 1996 by By-law No. 395-96. In 1990, the federal government designated the John Street Roundhouse as a National Historic Site."

"The property is owned by the City of Toronto, where the John Street Roundhouse is now a feature in Roundhouse Park. The first 11 bays of the Roundhouse were dismantled and reconstructed as part of the Convention Centre expansion. Since the building closed as a railway facility, it has been used for the storage of rail-related equipment and rolling stock."

Beginning in 1997, the City sought an outside party to restore and reuse the Roundhouse.

Two years later, City Council authorized a 20-year lease with Steam Whistle Brewing Incorporated to operate a specialty brewing operation and retail outlet in Bays 1 to 11. In 2002, City Council authorized a head lease to a consortium comprised of O and Y Properties Incorporated, Headline Media and Tenen Developing and Producing Limited, and the amending of the lease with Steam Whistle to allow the brewery to acquire additional space in the building.

The official notice passed in December:

In the matter of the Ontario Heritage Act
R.S.O. 1990 Chapter 0.18
City of Toronto, Province of Ontario

Notice of passing of by-law

222 Bremner Boulevard (CPR John Street Roundhouse, Turntable, Sand and Coal Loader and Water Tower)

Take notice that the Council of the City of Toronto has passed By-law No. 1143-2008 to designate 222 Bremner Boulevard (CPR John Street Roundhouse, Turntable, Sand and Coal Loader and Water Tower) (Trinity-Spadina, Ward 20) as being of cultural heritage value or interest.

Dated at Toronto this 5th day of December, 2008.

Acting City Clerk