Wellington Destructor

Project History

The Wellington Destructor site, located at 677 Wellington Street West, presents an important opportunity for the adaptive reuse of an existing City-owned building as a cultural space, community hub or employment uses that could generate new income, as well as complement and support the existing and proposed employment uses of the surrounding area.

Built in 1925, the Wellington Destructor is a large purpose-built brick garbage incinerator structure that was in active use until the incineration of solid waste was halted in the mid-1970s. The building was adapted to be used as a transfer station until 1986, at which time it was decommissioned. The building has been vacant since. The property was listed on the City of Toronto Heritage Register in 2005 by City Council and is subject to policies for its conservation.

Building repairs were undertaken by the City of Toronto in 2016 that included mothballing and securing the site to protect the building until such time as permanent and appropriate uses have been determined.

In 2017, public engagement consisting of a community meeting and online survey was held to collect feedback on potential new uses and vision for the building. This feedback was used to develop the vision and guiding principles in seeking a development partner for the re-use of the Wellington Destructor.

In April 2018 City Council directed City staff to seek and secure a Head Lessee for a long-term lease of the Wellington Destructor. Staff were directed to report back to Council on the results of the call process and with final recommendations for the Head Lessee. The results of this process was the subject of a report to the City’s General Government and Licensing Committee in October 2021 and to City Council in November 2021.

Council has approved TAS, a Toronto-based real estate development company, as the long-term head lessee of the Wellington Destructor site. TAS’ proposal evolves the historic Wellington Destructor into an active community catalyst and delivers an iconic landmark that attracts and inspires visitors from across Toronto and beyond. The restoration of this heritage landmark and the retrofit of the building will include a dynamic mix of innovative commercial tenancies, such as production facilities, learning, programming and administrative spaces, alongside community-based organizations.