The Distillery District, once home to the largest distillery in the British Empire, is a historic and entertainment area on the east side of downtown Toronto. The Distillery District contains many cafes, restaurants, galleries and design stores that are housed within heritage buildings. It features North America’s best preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture.
Traditional brick-paved streets and lanes line the Distillery District and these are open to pedestrians and cyclists. General motor vehicle traffic is restricted to streets and parking areas outside of the precinct. The Distillery District used to consist of a series of buildings that were centred around a seven storey windmill and wharf. The windmill and wharf have since been demolished, however, the integrity of some of the main structures still remain.
The Distillery District continues to undergo rapid change by incorporating modern growth through new condominiums, while maintaining its unique historic legacy.