MW11: The Distillery District - Lessons and Challenges for Development of a National Historic Site

This walking tour will provide participants a brief history of the Distillery District, details of the approved planning framework, and a firsthand look into its results. Specifically, the walk will highlight the city’s success in preserving the historical buildings, structures and surface paving that distinguish the Distillery District from the rest of the city. It will examine the role the urban design guidelines, integrated in the Official Plan, played in preserving the character of the District from new development, the importance of art sculptures in the public realm and the multi-functionality of the laneway system that serves as transportation corridors and open space areas. 

 

The Distillery District, a designated national site of historic and architectural importance, comprises the largest collection of Victorian-era buildings and structures in the country. Since the closure of whiskey distilling operations in 1990, the Distillery District has transformed from a derelict industrial area to a vibrant mixed-use community. 

 

Learning Outcomes

**Workshop is currently sold out**