Our History | Waterworks Food Hall

The Waterworks Food Hall is situated on a site with a rich history, initially serving as a public market, then as a public works space, and now as a landmark destination offering a unique culinary experience.

A history of taste

A commercial centre for Toronto’s west end, the site once housed St. Andrew’s Market. Originally built in 1850, the first building was destroyed by fire in 1860. A grander and larger market, designed in the Renaissance Revival style was opened in 1873. As a public market, it housed fresh produce, a police station and a public library. Due to waning popularity, the market was decommissioned in the early 1920s and sat vacant for over a decade.

The industrial era

The Waterworks Building was designed by City of Toronto Chief Architect J.J. Woolnough in 1932 as part of a government initiative to create jobs during the Great Depression. It was a complex of connected structures around a central courtyard with Art Deco detailing like stone quoins, copper coping, and dog-toothed brick. Designed for the Water Works offices, maintenance and storage of equipment, the building was decommissioned in 2013 and awarded heritage status in 2017.

An industrial evolution

In 2016, Woodcliffe Landmark Properties, in partnership with MOD Developments, purchased the former public works facility. With frontage on Brant Street, Maud Street, and Richmond Street, was redeveloped for mixed-use including 297 condominiums, a 60,000 sf YMCA, 75 underground parking spaces, and a 55,000 sf European-inspired food hall. Waterworks fronts onto St. Andrew’s Playground Park that added an expanded off-leash dog park, an expansive playground and a myriad of seating options for gathering.

Meticulous restoration

The restoration of the “Great Hall” resulted in a remarkable adaptive reuse of the former machine shop, which was acquired in a state of disrepair. From preserving the soaring skylights to introducing floor-to-ceiling windows to repositioning the Art Deco gates to the hidden courtyard off Richmond St. and reclaiming wood from the original floor to create a mosaic spanning the height of the main stairwell, every detail has been meticulously executed.

Timeline

1837

St. Andrew’s Market Opens

The site was originally occupied by St. Andrew's Market, Toronto's second-largest market after the St. Lawrence Market and an important commercial centre for Toronto's west end.

1920

End of an Era

The St. Andrew’s market was decommissioned in 1920 due to declining patronage and demographic shifts in the neighbourhood and demolished in 1931.

1932-1933

Water Works Construction

Designed in the Art Deco style by architect J. J. Woolnough, the original Water Works Building was constructed during the Great Depression (1932-1933) as a part of a government initiative to create jobs.

1933-2013

Public Works

The Water Works Building continued to be operated by the City of Toronto until 2013, when the property was deemed a surplus asset.

Archival photo of the Waterworks building

2013

Heritage Designation

The Water Works site was awarded heritage designation to preserve its historical significance.

2017

Adaptive Reuse Begins

Woodcliffe MOD Developments purchase the site for a contemporary mixed-use development for residential condominimums, a 60,000 sf YMCA and an European-style Food Hall.

Birds-eye view of the Waterworks building

2017-2020

Waterworks Residences Complete

Construction for the 290 mid-rise condominiums with family-oriented dwellings and affordable housing completed over three years.

2022

Great Hall Restoration

Construction of the 55,000 sf food hall begins and includes a 15-foot deep, 14,000 sf basement excavation beneath the Waterworks heritage building where all back of house amenities will be stored.

View of the great hall under construction

2023

Great Hall Transformation

With meticulous attention to detail, the heritage 1932 Art Deco adaptation and restoration features soaring 44 ft ceilings, steel beams and columns and 20 ft southern-facing windows onto St. Andrew's Park.

2024

Waterworks Food Hall Opens

After 8 years of extensive planning, research, development and execution, the Waterworks Food Hall opens its doors with over 15 cuisines, 3 bars and bottle shop and 2 patios plus over 12,000 sf of event space and underground parking.

The view when you walk into the east doors of the food hall. Pizzeria Popolo is on the left, Taco Lupita is on the right, Soi Thaifoon and Karak kiosks are directly ahead.

“Toronto’s most anticipated developments: the Waterworks building, a European-style food hall in a painstakingly restored and updated 1930s utility building, is gearing up to serve as a much-needed amenity in a flourishing Richmond Street West neighbourhood.”

—Azure