401 Richmond is a historic warehouse in downtown Toronto, home to over 140 cultural producers and micro-enterprises. Originally the site of the Macdonald Manufacturing Company, a tin lithography factory at the turn of the 20th century, 401 Richmond is now a thriving arts and culture hub.
The building is home to 17 art galleries and artist-run centres, 40+ visual artist studios, film festivals, filmmakers, architects, communications specialists, graphic artists, recording studios, charitable organizations, cultural producers, social innovators, micro-enterprises and even a Spanish dance school.
Not widely known is the courtyard at this address. In the centre of the building lies a beautiful, calming, leafy garden; an oasis in the heart of the city. The Courtyard is free to visit and is open to all.
The din of the city dies away once you enter this space:
The municipal government calls 401 Richmond one of Toronto’s key arts centres, and visitors from cities afar have come to the building to learn how to blend business with the arts to establish a viable urban neighbourhood within a single community.
401 Richmond is the recipient of a 1999 Award of Merit from Toronto Heritage for outstanding adaptive re-use of a historic building. The building received Heritage Designation in April of 2007.
Text source: 401 Richmond
I have always loved 401 Richmond and used to go there a lot. I do find there is a diminished presence of galleries in the complex though, it became less useful as a place to view art. Complexes like these are key to making urban living meaningful and beautiful.
There is nothing like a courtyard! And this one proves that. It is so enchanting and serene. I will put that on my “to see” list. Thanks Marvin.