Location
The Distillery District is bordered by Mill Street to the north, the Canadian National railway tracks to the south, Cherry Street to the east and Parliament Street to the west. It is a pedestrian-only area, making it a haven for those who wish to stroll around soak up the atmosphere of this historical district of Toronto. The Distillery is well-linked to several TTC bus routes, making it very easy to get to the downtown core of Toronto.
History
The Gooderham and Worts Distillery was founded in 1832 and, by 1860, had become the largest distillery in the world making the company a main source of Canada’s federal income. The Distillery District was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1988. In 1990, after 153 years of production, the Gooderham and Worts Distillery closed. The district became the number one filming destination for Hollywood during the 1990s. In 2001, Cityscape Holdings, in partnership with Dundee Real Estate Corporation, purchased the area and began transforming it into the District we know today. After an intensive restoration project, the Distillery Historic District opened in 2003 and is today regarded as one of Canada’s premier arts, culture and entertainment destinations.
Activities
The creators of the Distillery District described their vision as a space where “people could experience new ideas, new foods, new designs and new ways of living and working.” In this exciting neighborhood, it is clear that their vision has become reality. Indeed, Clear Spirit is situated right beside restaurants such as Pure Spirits Oyster House & Grill and El Catrin, and cafes such as Balzac’s. In terms of cultural destinations, residents of Clear Spirit can enjoy their time at the Theatre Museum Canada, Prologue to the Performing Arts, and the Eskimo Art Gallery. The District is also home to several seasonal festivals and Canada’s acclaimed Soul Pepper theatre company.
