Artscape Wychwood Barns

This community cultural hub is a prominent feature in the Christie and St. Clair neighbourhood. Its spaces include artist live/work studios, an event venue with unique architectural appeal, the Peter MacKendrick Community Gallery and office spaces for a range of arts, community and environmental organizations. It is surrounded on three sides by a City of Toronto park. The redevelopment project achieved a LEED Gold rating in 2010.

The tenants of the Artscape Wychwood Barns represent a dynamic mix of artistic practices, community services and cultural interests. They infuse the facility’s spaces with activity and creative energy on a daily basis. The large courtyard space in Barn 2 plays regular host to art and craft fairs, community-focused special events, and more. Many people know this place through the Stop Community Food Centre’s popular Farmers’ Market.

Opened: November 20, 2008

Pre-occupancy (development) cost: $23 million

Former site: TTC streetcar repair facility constructed in 1913

Affordability model: Rent geared to income residential, below-market rental (commercial)

Building Ownership Detail: Owned by the City of Toronto and operated by Artscape under a 50-year lease. Artscape Non-Profit Homes Inc. administers the residential component of the Barns as part of its arrangement with the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing program and the Affordable Housing Office of the City of Toronto. The City of Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation operates the park and space surrounding three sides of the Barns.

Area (square feet): 60,000

Spaces included: 26 artist live/work studios, 12 commercial /office spaces, 1 greenhouse, 1 art gallery, 1 event venue (in Barn 2)

Tenants: See website directory

Building accessibility: Fully accessible by Ontario standards

Developer: The Dalton Company

Design: Joe Lobko

This was the first redevelopment project in Canada to receive LEED Canada certification.

These supporters all helped to make the vision for the Artscape Wychwood Barns a reality through many years of hard work and collaboration. The Artscape Wychwood Barns represents their dedication, passion and generosity.

Artscape Wychwood Barns Campaign

The Artscape Foundation would like to thank the following governments, foundations, corporations and individual philanthropists for their extraordinary generosity in bringing the Artscape Wychwood Barns to life. Together, their contributions helped build this community cultural hub, and will ensure that it remains both affordable and sustainable over the long term.

FOUNDERS ($500,000 +)

• Canada Ontario Affordable Housing Program
• City of Toronto
• Cultural Spaces Canada at Canadian Heritage | Fonds du Canada pour les espaces culturels de Patrimoine canadien
• Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
• Government of Ontario | Gouvernement de l’Ontario
• Metcalf Foundation
• Ministry of Culture

LEADERS ($100,000 – $499,999)

• Anonymous
• Green Municipal Fund at Federation of Canadian Municipalities
• Ontario Trillium Foundation
• TD Financial Group
• The Young Fund at Hamilton Community Foundation
• Toronto Culture

INNOVATORS ($50,000 – $99,999)

• Edward Burtynsky
• McCarthy Tetrault
• The Dalton Company Ltd.
• Toronto Image Works

PARTNERS ($25,000 – $49,999)

• Anonymous
• Barbara Astman
• Blackwell Bowick Partnerships Ltd.
• du Toit Architects Ltd.
• McLean Foundation
• Peter Caldwell
• Stantec Consulting Inc.
• Susan Dobson
• Tim Jones
• Toronto Atmospheric Fund
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
• Vid Ingelevics

CHAMPIONS ($10,000 – $24,999)

• Barbara Hejduk
• Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corporation
• Charles H. Ivey Foundation
• Geoffrey James
• ING Direct
• John Honderich
• Katherine Knight
• Peter Tomlinson
• Toronto Hydro Corporation

FRIENDS ($5,000 – $9,999)

• E.R.A. Architects Inc.
• F.K. Morrow Foundation
• Joe Lobko
• Michael Kainer
• Morden Yolles
• The Planning Partnership

ASSOCIATES ($1,000 – $4,999)

• Alex Speigel
• Anonymous
• Billie Bridgman and Harry Marshall
• Camilla Holland and Colin Viebrock
• Frank Lewinberg
• Goldsmith Borgal & Company Ltd.
• Hugh Martin
• Hon. Sarmite D. Bulte PC
• Jini Stolk
• Johanne Brossard
• Kendall Anderson
• Kathleen Sharpe
• Lowell Langille
• Pat Harris
• Peter MacKendrick
• P.J. Taylor