The Power Plant Gallery and Harbourfront Theatre is a prominent cultural arts building, located along Toronto’s revitalized waterfront at Queens Quay and Lower Simcoe.

“Prior to its adaptive reuse, The original coal-burning Power House was established in 1926 to supply energy to the Toronto Terminal Warehouse (now Queen’s Quay Terminal)”.

The once key industrial site faltered approaching the 1970’s and was decommissioned. However due to its proximity to both the waterfront and entertainment district, the opportunity to revitalize emerged.

The key architectural expression aims to celebrate Toronto’s industrial heritage an integral part of urban renewal. In 1972, the Government of Canada implemented a plan to revitalize the site, “along with the 100 acres of industrial harbourfront lands west of York St. for cultural, recreation, parkland and residential uses”.

Beginning its adaptive reuse in 1980 and completion in 1987, the Power House would become a centerpiece of a newly established arts and cultural complex, now known as the Harbourfront Centre. This occurred during a critical time in Toronto’s urban planning history, as a successful movement began to de-industrialize and redevelop urban spaces within the city. The most significant change was a glazed envelope addition (a joint venture between Lett/Smith Architects) completed in 1987, which wraps around the northern portion of the building houses a new theatre space and creates a clear distinction between existing architecture and addition.

The interior was renovated in 2011 by KPMB.

• Architect - Lett/Smith Architects  <-- More buildings by this architect.
• Architect - KPMB Architects - Bruce Kuwabara, Thomas Payne, Marianne McKenna and Shirley Blumberg   <-- More buildings by this architect.