A red brick path has recently been implemented in the Distillery District to show the difference in the waterline from 175 years ago, when the distillery was the largest spirits maker in the world. Now a heritage site and growing community, it is one of many that will open its doors May 25-26 as part of Doors Open Toronto, the city's annual exploration event that gives residents and visitors an opportunity to learn more about Toronto's significant buildings and history.

 

The area has undergone massive changes over the past century, many of which have come in the past decade. In 2001, Cityscape Holdings Inc., a group of residential and commercial developers, purchased the land with the vision of redeveloping the site into a historic yet contemporary hub of creativity and community. Later partnering with Dundee Realty Corporation, they restored the 47 buildings known as the Gooderham and Worts Distillery into what it is today: a mixed hub of restaurants, small businesses, old world charm and modern living. 

 

Doors to the new district opened in 2003 and as we explored the land and the history on a Segway--a tour service offered by Segway of Ontario, a small business that has called the district home since 2004 and offered Segway tours since 2005--it was apparent the district is not yet through with its reincarnation. 

 

Though the district no longer distills the spirits it was long famous for, the Mill Street Brewery has brought some of that craftsmanship back. Restaurants such as Tappo and The Boiler House find solace in old buildings that look untouched on the outside but are beautifully restored on the inside, while small boutiques, theatres, and a multitude of galleries and unique shops--including the famed SOMA Chocolatemaker and the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company--round out the community.

 

While the area is largely Victorian and industrial within its pedestrian-only interior, its surroundings are ripe in condo construction. Jason Rizzuti, the manager of Segway of Ontario and our tour guide for the evening, says he's seen the condos contribute to the area's transformation. About 2,000 people live in the surrounding vicinity, a concentrated amount he says considering the lack of houses, and the fact that they're living, working and bringing their friends here has allowed the district to flourish.

 

"It's a balance and I think so far they're doing a pretty good job at that," Rizzuti says. "Part of it is they know that people come down for the history, they don’t want to see glass and steel structures everywhere, so the owners of the site and the people are going to keep the heritage aspect strong because that's what brings the people down."

 

The area has also become known for its many events, including the Food Truck Festival and the annual Christmas Market. Its restaurants are participants in the city's Winterlicious and Summerlicious festivals and the resulting foot traffic has contributed to Segway of Ontario's ability to run year-round tours. 

 

On our tour, Rizzuti told us about the district's rich history and its founding by brothers-in-law James Worts and William Gooderham in 1832. The two initially built a 70-foot brick windmill to generate power, but when Worts died in 1834, Gooderham added a distillery. Worts' son James Gooderham Worts became a partner, joined by Gooderham's son George a few years later. They created their first whiskey in 1837, opening the Stone Mill & Distiller in 1861. The windmill is no longer there, but the Stone Mill remains the oldest building on the site.

 

Prohibition "nearly kills the Distillery," Rizzuti says, but it is brought to life again in the 1920's when Harry C. Hatch, the creator of Canadian Club, buys the land. The Distillery's comprehensive website reports that operations are moved to the Walkerville plant in Windsor following a merger. The distillery stops producing rye whiskey in 1957, concentrating on rum before ceasing operations in 1990. The area becomes a hot spot for filming Hollywood flicks (Cinderella Man, Chicago and X-Men are but a few), and also doing drugs, Rizzuti says. It's come a long way since; currently construction is underway for the Pan Am Games. 

 

Fires and suicides throughout the district's history have led some to speculate the area is haunted. Rizzuti says restaurant workers from the area have told him of spooky things happening while alone in their establishments. These tales are shared during Segway of Ontario's offshoot ghost tours, conducted via Segway and walking. The company leads more than 3,000 people on historical and ghost tours annually. 

 

"The Segway makes it great, but the other half is the content," Rizzuti says. "The architecture, the buildings and the stories behind them, everything is right there. It's one thing to do a waterfront tour and talk about general history of the city, but this is very specific and you get to know the area really well." 

 

The Artscape Distillery Studios and the Stone Distillery are just two of the buildings that will be part of Doors Open Toronto. Segway tour staff will be on hand throughout the district to teach people a little more about the area's history. And if you fancy embracing your inner Gob Bluth circa Arrested Development, guided Segway tours are also available for a fee. 

 

The distillery district is part of Old Town Toronto, which also includes the St. Lawrence Market, Corktown, Town of York, Historic Queen St. East, and King St. East's design district. 

Sheena Lyonnais is Yonge Street's managing editor. Her last piece in the Explorations series looked at BBQ season at the St. Lawrence Market.