Published on September 6, 2024
This September, it will be 14 years since we opened the doors to Evergreen Brick Works. But well before the marketplace began bustling, songs and laughter were heard in the Children’s Garden and hands got digging in the greenhouse, Evergreen had invested eight years in planning, designing, proposing, constructing and piloting to transform the abandoned brick factory to community hub.
One of the initial concepts that launched the project was the idea of a native plant nursery that would provide youth with employment and skills-development opportunities, propagate native plants that would support the delivery of our mission and generate a financial return that would support our charitable mandate.
Great idea — but where?
Evergreen set its sights on reimagining a derelict industrial property nestled in the heart of Toronto’s Don Valley — an abandoned brick factory called the Don Valley Brick Works. The original renderings captured some of the early ideas that inspired the site we know today.
From these initial concepts to opening day in September 2010 to today, the Brick Works has evolved to become a leading example of adaptive reuse, a thriving community hub and a demonstration site where the world can experience sustainable practices.
Here is a peek at some of the original renderings that inspired the Brick Works.
One of our most popular destinations on-site was inspired by the natural landscape and designed by kids. With decades of experience transforming school grounds across Canada into nature-rich play and learning environments for both children and their communities, Evergreen built the Children’s Garden as the hub for experiential nature-based education at the Brick Works. Over the years it has continued to evolve — this fall, the Children’s Garden is undergoing redevelopments to rebuild the amphitheater. Along with making the structure and seating visible and welcoming from the main entrance, changes to the pathways, firepit area and seating will create a more playful and accessible experience for all.
Yes, skating was part of the Evergreen Brick Works plan since the beginning! During construction in May 2010, Evergreen laid down the foundation for the rink, a sustainable cooling system that would redirect heat to the adjacent enclosed building. From the very first winter, only three months after opening, Koerner Gardens was transformed into the picturesque skating rink that we’ve come to love each winter.
When it’s not a skating rink, Koerner Gardens serves as a public space surrounded by the magic of green gardens below exposed beams of the old brick factory. This great idea was made possible by the generosity of donors Michael and Sonja Koerner. And the space continues to evolve. In 2023, in collaboration with our community partners, the reimagined Koerner Gardens focuses on climate resilience and community, creating a place that is for the enjoyment of all and has everyone’s future in mind. The features of the garden include a striking Corten steel art wall laser engraved and lit with constellation patterns, tiered stone seating and thoughtful native plant landscaping.
Originally proposed as an extension of Koerner Gardens, Evergreen began redevelopment in 2018 to transform this space. Now fully enclosed, the TD Future Cities Centre is a dynamic year-round space to showcase and celebrate ideas and solutions on thriving and sustainable cities from across Canada and the world. Read more about how we’re bringing sustainable solutions to life inside the historic kiln building.
