Project Type
Research and Publication
Year
Winter 2025
Client /Professor
Christopher De Sousa
Role
Individual Project, Researcher, Graphic Designer
ABSTRACT
The case study explores the site’s transformation from a contaminated post-industrial brownfield into a publicly accessible, mixed-use destination that blends heritage preservation with modern commercial and cultural uses. Drawing from archival records, site analysis, and planning documents, the project highlights key planning, regulatory, environmental, and financing strategies while identifying lessons learned from this landmark revitalization effort.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The revitalization of the John Street Roundhouse represents a landmark example of adaptive reuse and environmental remediation in the heart of Toronto’s downtown. Originally constructed between 1929–1931 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the roundhouse was decommissioned in the 1980s and left contaminated by decades of locomotive maintenance.
This case study documents the site’s transformation from a contaminated brownfield into a dynamic, mixed-use heritage destination. The project involved extensive remediation efforts to address lead paint, asbestos, and heavy oil contamination, followed by phased redevelopment that integrated public, cultural, and commercial programs—including Steam Whistle Brewery, Cineplex Rec Room, and the Toronto Railway Museum.
Full Article Link: Canadian Brownfield Case: John St. Roundhouse; Orcel Manalang
Orcel Manalang (2025) John Street Roundhouse. Canadian Brownfields Network Annual Conference, From Legacy to Opportunity: The Evolution and Integration of Brownfield Reuse, Poster Session, Toronto, June 17, 2025.
SITE CONTEXT
Located at 255 Bremner Blvd, directly across from the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, the Roundhouse sits within Toronto’s high-profile downtown entertainment corridor. Once a locomotive maintenance facility for Canadian Pacific Railway, the site is steeped in industrial legacy, now layered with commercial and recreational activity.
The site’s 9,300 sqm footprint includes preserved brick bays, a 120-foot railway turntable, and associated heritage buildings like Cabin D and Don Station. Social and environmental analysis revealed the need to balance heritage preservation, public access, and economic viability—ultimately forming the foundation of the revitalization strategy.
DESIGN AND REMEDIATION SOLUTIONS (FINDINGS)
The Roundhouse’s revitalization occurred in three key phases, involving both environmental cleanup and adaptive architectural restoration:
Environmental Abatement: Remediation targeted hazardous materials including lead-based paint, asbestos, and heavy oils—common in early 20th-century railway infrastructure. Methods such as surfactant treatment, poulticing, and Level 1 abatement procedures were employed, following the Ontario Ministry of Environment’s 1996/1997 Guidelines for Contaminated Sites.
Disassembly and Reassembly: Bays 1–11 were carefully dismantled to accommodate the underground expansion of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. These bays were later reassembled above the structure, preserving the roundhouse’s original form while accommodating new urban infrastructure.
Adaptive Reuse: The building was repurposed for commercial and cultural uses, including the Steam Whistle Brewery, Toronto Railway Museum, and Cineplex Rec Room. Historic materials—Douglas fir beams, engine doors, and brickwork—were preserved or restored using traditional methods, while modern upgrades (e.g., curtain walls, deep-water cooling) improved energy performance.
Public Realm Enhancements: The surrounding Roundhouse Park was developed as a heritage landscape, complete with restored railway artifacts, historic outbuildings (e.g., Cabin D), and interpretive pathways radiating from the turntable.
IMPACT
The revitalization of the John Street Roundhouse has generated meaningful economic, cultural, and environmental benefits. Economically, the adaptive reuse of this National Historic Site has supported a sustainable funding model through long-term leases with commercial tenants such as Steam Whistle Brewery and Cineplex’s Rec Room, transforming the site into a thriving destination within Toronto’s downtown core. Culturally, the site has become a living museum that preserves and celebrates Toronto’s railway heritage, supported by the Toronto Railway Museum and public installations throughout Roundhouse Park. Environmentally, the project achieved significant remediation outcomes, removing hazardous materials and reducing long-term risks through sustainable energy systems and the reuse of original building materials. Together, these outcomes demonstrate how brownfield sites can be successfully reactivated to deliver long-term value across multiple dimensions.
CREDITS
Author & Visuals: Orcel Manalang
Course: PLE865: Brownfield Redevelopment
Instructor / Reviewed by: Professor Christopher De Sousa
Institution: Toronto Metropolitan University
Intended Publication: ReActivate Lab | Canadian Brownfields Network 2025 Annual Conference
Photographs & Poster Design: Orcel Manalang
