News release

Toronto artists form group to honour historic building slated for redevelopment

Corktown community commemorates the live/work experience

Toronto, June 11, 2018 – As the demolition of their homes draws closer, a group of Toronto artists announce the formation of Art90Ontario to celebrate their work and community. The group was inspired to come together after being notified that the Newell Building, a five-storey brick warehouse at the northwest corner of Ontario and Richmond Streets, will be absorbed into a city-block-sized redevelopment project.

The Newell Building has had several uses since its construction in 1911, having been a paper facility, a shoe factory and most recently, the site of 56 rental live/work loft spaces. The developer ONE Properties is in negotiations with the City of Toronto to convert the property once again – this time into multiple towers with residential, hotel, and retail spaces. (The Toronto and East York Community Council convened on June 6 to discuss and hear related presentations.)

As with many Toronto redevelopments, the pending project will displace numerous creative professionals who have made the neighbourhood their home for decades. However, recognizing the cultural and social significance of the community, ONE Properties has included 56 replacement live/work units in its redevelopment plan, and has given Art90Ontario free use of Unit 208 until demolition begins.

“It shouldn’t surprise us that this historic building will be destroyed to make way for glass-clad condos,” says Art90Ontario member Julian Majewski. “But instead of moping, we’re using the space that has been kindly granted to us to show our works.”

To date, Art90Ontario has assembled and shown their works informally. On June 22, they will host a formal evening exhibition, followed by two days of showings. Event details are forthcoming.

“We’ve come to accept that Toronto’s landscape is transforming and becoming unaffordable,” says member Joan McNeil, a resident since 1995. “We’re committed to maintaining our alliance and sharing the experience of what live/work spaces can accomplish.”

About Art 90 Ontario

Art90Ontario consists of visual artists Paul Joseph Carroll, Joseph Flasko, Julian Majewski, David Allan March, Joan McNeil, Bob Papadopoulos and Karel Vondra. Using diverse media and styles, their works cover a wide range of themes. Some members of the group have lived and worked in the Newell Building for more than 20 years. Further information can be found at https://sites.google.com/view/art90ontario.

About the Newell Building

The Newell Building was built in 1911 in the Edwardian Classicism style by architects William Symons and William Rae. Symons and Rae are best known for their work on signature World War I era projects, such as the Royal Ontario Museum, the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, and military hospitals and industrial buildings across Canada. In 2016, the City of Toronto evaluated Newell Building’s merit as a Heritage Property and decided that it does not meet the test of having a high degree of craftsmanship, artistic merit, or scientific or technical achievement. Photos and additional historical information can be found at https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-96684.pdf.