History:

The history of the Toronto Carpet Factory begins with the company whose name it retains, the Toronto Carpet Manufacturing Company Limited, established by F. Barry Hayes in Toronto in 1891. By 1899, the burgeoning Toronto Carpet Manufacturing Company Limited, had outgrown its cramped space at Jarvis and The Esplanade and moved into an impressive new factory at 1179 King Street W. and 74 Fraser Ave. The company couldn’t keep up with the demand of the Canadian market for its ingrain and chenille Axminster carpets and within five years had added its own spinning and carding facilities, as well as additional looms to produce Brussels and Wilton carpets, in the new addition located at 67 Mowat Ave. By the end of the First World War, the factory occupied one city block and employed over 1,000 people, about the same number of people who work at the Carpet Factory today. The buildings are similar in architecture to other industrial buildings being built in Britain and the U.S. during that time. They were constructed in the classic 19th century style of perimeter buildings forming a cloister around a central quadrangle and powerhouse. All of the buildings are of heavy timber construction with load-bearing brick walls, timber columns and beams, and hardwood floors. All roof decks are timber, with the exception of the boiler/generator room which is concrete slab. In its time, the site was considered to be “state of the art”, completely self-reliant, with its own steam-generated heat, power and electricity capabilities, fire pump and an underground cistern storing 625,000 gallons of water for emergency use. The cistern remains buried beneath the floor of 72 Fraser Ave. A maze of catacombs (steam pipes) still delivers heat through the site. Ceiling heights range from 12’ up to 22’, and 24’ in some of the corridors of the Mowat Ave. building. For over a century these buildings have been places for creating. Though the products that originate here have radically changed over the years, we are proud that this complex continues to provide spaces that inspire new ideas and ambitious companies.

Features:

Built Constructed at the turn of the last century. On-going restoration. Ceiling Height Above grade floors range from 12’ to 22’ Elevators Most buildings have freight elevators and shipping and receiving facilities. 67 Mowat Ave. serviced by an accessible entrance/elevator, passenger elevator. 1179 King serviced by passenger elevator; accessible entrance. Window Details Gracefully arched windows up to 6’ wide and 13’ high. Most windows are operable. Heat Perimeter steam/radiation. Air Conditioning Central chilled water system allows custom designed A/C for each suite. Combination of rooftop units and split systems. Electrical 100 amps per 2,500 square feet. Amenities Amenities include shared meeting room spaces, networking events, showers, bike racks and bike repair station, courier boxes, phone charging station, motorcycle parking, electric car charging stations, option to use Bullfrog power, Perkopolis discount ticket and attraction program.