Case Goods Warehouse

The Case Goods and Cannery buildings are an integral component of Toronto’s Distillery District and reflect the industrial heritage and architectural character of the 19th-century distillery operations in the city. Now home to Collège Boréal, an educational and cultural hub for Ontario’s Francophone communities, the Case Goods Warehouse and 3rd floor of the Cannery were adaptively reused and transformed into lively, multi-purpose spaces that serve contemporary needs.

The vision for the development was to modernize the building’s interior without compromising the historical and architectural value of the buildings. ERA’s role as Prime Architect was to manage the consultant team and focus on the base building. This work included the conservation of key heritage elements such as the masonry and timber structure, along with various heritage artifacts throughout the building. New fire separations were added between adjacent occupancies, along with relocating the main stair. The project also focused on increasing energy efficiency by adding a new insulated roof assembly and using new thermally broken aluminum windows, closely resembling the original steel windows. Additionally, new mechanical and electrical systems were carefully integrated into the existing building. Low ceiling heights made the installation of new systems particularly difficult, however all wiring and new elements were designed to be concealed within the existing joist structure to maximize clearance and maintain the natural aesthetic of the existing wood structure.

Several consultants worked alongside ERA to see this project through to completion. BDP Quadrangle took the lead on the interior tenant design, ensuring that any new interventions complemented the heritage character of the building. This collaboration highlights how historical preservation and modern development can coexist, creating a vibrant and sustainable community space, that honors the past while embracing the future.