Since the early 2000s, the historic Gooderham and Worts distillery has rapidly been transformed into the trendy Distillery District, a pedestrianized mixed-use community that capitalizes on the charm of its Victorian-era warehouse architecture. Back on August 19, 2010, the neighbourhood's metamorphosis was under way, with construction underway on Cityscape and Dream's Clear Spirit, a 40-storey architectsAlliance-designed glass condominium tower rising from a contextually sensitive brick base. In the background, the 33-storey Pure Spirit —the first condominium tower to be built in the Distillery District—is also visible.

View west from Cherry Street south of Mill, August 19, 2010, image by Edward Skira

Fast forward to December 17, 2015, and Clear Spirit and sibling tower The Gooderham are both complete. The towers both feature a zig-zagging balcony pattern punctuated by alternating clear and fritted glass. In addition to bringing residential density to this former industrial site, the ground realm of these two towers has also attracted hip new shops and restaurants to the thriving Distillery District. The foreground of the 2015 photo below also reveals new context-appropriate pavers that were recently installed on Cherry Street.

View west from Cherry Street south of Mill, December 17, 2015, image by Marcus Mitanis

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!