Distillery Historic District
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Why go
- North America’s largest collection of Victorian-era industrial architecture.
- A National Historic Site of Canada.
Don't miss
- Mill Street BrewerySample beer made in the brewery housed in the 1879 Paint Shop.1879 Paint Shop
- Young Centre for the Performing ArtsThe district’s performing-arts centre is home to Soulpepper Theatre Company and George Brown Theatre School.Young Centre
- Trinity StreetThe district’s widest street often serves as a public square for events.Trinity Street
Photo spots
- Brick lanes and industrial landmarksPhotograph the large sculptures along the brick-paved lanes and the Boiler House’s landmark chimney stack.District lanes and Boiler House
Tips for your visit
- Join a walking tour from the visitor centre.
- The brick-paved streets and lanes are for pedestrians and cyclists; vehicle traffic stays outside the historic centre.
Best time to visit
- Summer for jazz festivals.
- The festive season for The Distillery Winter Village.
Interesting facts3
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Some upper floors house artists’ studios and creative-focused offices.
Distillery District - Wikipedia -
At its peak, the distillery supplied over two million US gallons of whisky, mostly for export.
Distillery District - Wikipedia -
1990
Since 1990, the district has hosted more than 800 film and television productions, including X-Men and La Femme Nikita.
Distillery District - Wikipedia
Shorts
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Toronto - The Distillery Historic DistrictStefan Cenusa
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Exploring Toronto's Historic Distillery District A Journey Through Ti…Kenneth Yim *️⃣
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Explore Toronto Ontario | The Distillery District | Historic Toronto …InsiderToronto
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The Distillery Historic District, TorontoKhyati Malhotra
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The Distillery Historic District | Toronto, CanadaUrias Sousa
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The Distillery Historic District, TorontoPersian Atlas
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Distillery Historic District Visit | Toronto Diaries | AthoyismAthoyism
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Awesome Distillery Historic District of TorontoLet Me Simplify
History
By the late 19th century, exports reached Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo. The harbour location and connection to the Canadian National Railway network aided transport.
- 1831James Wort started a flour mill.
- 1832William Gooderham joined James Wort’s flour-milling business; Gooderham and Worts dates its founding to this year.
- 1837Gooderham established a distillery to use surplus grain.
- 1859The business expanded into flour production, an icehouse, dairy production, docks and warehouses.
- late 1860sGooderham and Worts had become the world’s largest distillery.
Show all
- 1987–1990Allied Domecq bought the company in 1987. The distillery closed three years later, and the site later fell into partial ruin.
- 1990The distillery closed after 153 years of production.
- 2001Cityscape Holdings bought the site to create a cultural centre.
- May 22, 2003The district reopened to the public.
- 2015The Pan American Games Athletes’ Village was developed in the surrounding area alongside an extension of the Cherry Street streetcar network; it later became homes, condos, affordable housing and retail space.
How to get there
- Bus121 Fort York–Esplanade bus from Union Station.
- Tram504 King streetcar: 504A to Distillery Loop or 504B to Trinity St.
- Bus202 Cherry Beach bus, seasonal service.
- On footThe district is bordered by Parliament, Mill and Cherry streets, with a parking area to the south.
Sources: Distillery District - Wikipedia · Toronto/Downtown East - Wikivoyage (see) · The Distillery Historic District - Official Web… · 190 Historical Photo Gallery - The Distillery D… · The Distillery Historic District - About · Distillery District - Wikipedia · Distillery District - Wikipedia · checked 26 Sep 2026
- Website
- thedistillerydistrict.com/
- Phone
- +1 416-364-1177
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Questions and answers
Can I see the original windmill and wharf at Distillery Historic District?
No. The former distillery’s seven-storey windmill and wharf have both been demolished.
Who owned the distillery before redevelopment?
It was acquired in 1923, merged with Hiram Walker in 1927, and was bought by Allied Domecq in 1987.
What happened to the site after production ended?
After the distillery closed in 1990, the site fell into partial ruin before redevelopment.
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