Project Highlights

Arts and Cultural Connectivity
The Barns anchor arts organizations, professional artists and their families in the community with affordable live/work, studio, office and rehearsal spaces. The Artscape Wychwood Barns houses 13 not-for-profit organizations, 15 artist studios and 26 artist live/work spaces. A community gallery also provides public access to arts and culture.

Heritage Preservation
The Barns have restored a unique architectural gem in Toronto’s landscape. With the oldest surviving car barn dating back to 1913, the former streetcar barns were originally built for the Toronto Civic Railway which later became the TTC. The Barns are an integral part of Toronto’s transit history and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Environmental Leadership
The Barns are the first heritage building redevelopment project in Ontario to seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Canada Certification. The redevelopment process integrates construction elements that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and superior performance standards in environmental responsibility and energy efficiency.

Educational Programming
The Barns are a creative place where new and innovative ideas flourish. Interpretive displays illustrating site heritage and environmental technologies educate community members. A sustainable food systems education centre run by The Stop Community Food Centre is a central feature of the site. Various not-for-profit organizations housed in the barns provide educational programming focused on arts and the environment.

Community Partnership
Reflect the vision of a community who wanted a local resource that would foster a strong sense of belonging and inclusiveness. The Artscape Wychwood Barns offers year-round space for community festivals and special events and acts as a meeting place for the local neighbourhood.