Published on April 2, 2026
Evergreen Brick Works has long been a place of innovation and change. Once a factory that created the bricks for some of Toronto’s most iconic buildings, including Casa Loma and City Hall, Evergreen (together with many, many partners) transformed the abandoned industrial site into an award-winning environmental community centre in 2012.
The adaptive reuse of the site preserved the heritage buildings while redesigning the space with regenerative landscapes and sustainable technology integrated throughout. But in order to adapt to an ever-changing climate, with more frequent flooding and extreme heat events, and to be more welcoming to people of all ages and abilities, from all walks of life, the Brick Works needs to keep changing.
We have launched a nearly $16-million revitalization project across the site—renewing five key areas while staying deeply rooted in our mission to build healthier and more inclusive cities through better public spaces. These projects bring together public and private investment to deliver multiple benefits at once: ecological restoration, climate resilience, improved accessibility, a better visitor experience, and deeper connections to nature and community.
This is what we mean by multi-solving: designing solutions that work harder, do more, and serve many needs at the same time.
“This investment will help ensure Evergreen Brick Works remains a resilient, welcoming place where communities can gather, explore, learn and celebrate—no matter what climate challenges lie ahead,” says Evergreen CEO, Jen Angel. “By enhancing nature-based solutions alongside climate technology for cooling, biodiversity, stormwater management and net-zero operations, we are safeguarding vital programming for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year—while supporting Ontario small businesses, farmers, artists and community organizations.”
Ready to see the revitalization highlights?
A new vestibule and Welcome Tower will feature The Promise, a commissioned installation by Ojibwa artist Bonnie Devine – recently announced as a participating artist in the main exhibition of the 2026 Venice Biennale. Made of Corten steel and cast and stained glass, the piece invites reflection on land, time and responsibility, and offers unique opportunities for visitors to engage deeply with Indigenous knowledge systems and the layered histories of the site.
Interior upgrades include an accessible reception area, a flexible program space, redesigned lighting enhanced by a new skylight, and seven individual, self-contained washrooms—including a fully accessible unit. Critical electrical and data infrastructure has also been elevated to improve flood resilience.
The TD Future Cities Centre is where people come together for conversations, events, and celebrations that shape the future of our communities. Its revitalization focuses on strengthening the building’s foundation—literally and figuratively.
Structural reinforcements to columns and trusses, accessibility and safety upgrades, and partial soundproofing of the City Builders Gallery improve the Centre’s functionality. Roof-mounted photovoltaic panels reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while upgraded building automation systems enhance the efficiency of its geothermal exchange system, lighting, and maintenance operations.
These behind-the-scenes improvements ensure the Centre can continue to host large-scale, multi-faceted events and support the ambition for the site to achieve net-zero operations.
The Children’s Garden has long been a place of wonder—and Phase 1 of its revitalization, completed in September 2025, ensures it can be enjoyed by more children, more safely, more often. The improvements to this space were funded by the Province of Ontario and a group of local philanthropists.
At the heart of the garden is the new Geoff Cape Amphitheatre, named after Evergreen’s founder and former CEO. It features expanded and accessible amphitheater seating made from reclaimed wood and a large, feather-shaped wooden canopy, providing cooling and shade during hotter months.
The Gathering Circle and fire pit was designed by artist Ferruccio Sardella with Andrew Welch, Brendan Playfair, and the Johnson Fairplay Masonry Team. Built with reclaimed bricks made on site more than a century ago, Lake Ontario stones, and a mosaic hearth created with young participants, the space is a living story of land, craft, and community. The Hatching Turtle sculpture—carved from a single limestone block by stone carver Andrew Welch —honours the turtles that continue to nest here, reminding us that this place is home to many.
Upgraded lighting, improved circulation paths and stormwater management all contribute to a garden that meets playground standards for unsupervised use, and supports activity in the garden after dark. That means extended public hours year-round, opening the space to families well beyond program times.
Phase 2 will build on this foundation with additional accessibility features, tactile domes, and painted pathways to further support inclusive play.
As a key gateway to the ravines and a hub along the proposed Loop Trail, the Ravine Centre and Indigenous Cultural Hub (working name) is being transformed into a welcoming space for learning, gathering and connection thanks to generous funding from the Province of Ontario, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, and the City of Toronto. The renewed building will feature Indigenous-led ravine interpretation and program space on the ground floor, with dedicated program space for Indigenous groups on the second floor.
The work blends heritage preservation with climate-forward upgrades: restored brick masonry, a fully replaced high-efficiency HVAC system, a complete lighting upgrade, and new east-facing openings that flood the space with light. Flood resilience has been significantly enhanced, with raised electrical and data infrastructure and durable materials used at lower wall levels. Permeable surfaces and regrading help guide stormwater safely into Mud Creek, strengthening the site’s ecological function while protecting the building.
Improved access points, new finishes, and enhanced accessibility features ensure the Ravine Centre is ready to welcome more people—comfortably and safely—year-round.
Funded by the Province of Ontario, improvements to Tiffany Commons include new seating, shade sails, upgraded lighting and wayfinding, and enhanced stormwater infrastructure such as rain gardens and bioswales. These “working landscapes” reduce flood risk, enhance biodiversity, and create welcoming gathering spaces that demonstrate climate solutions in action.
Stay tuned for more
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