Revitalization mixes Railway Museum with shopping, public park

The revitalized John Street Roundhouse, featuring a 40,000 sq. ft. Leon’s Furniture store, the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre and adjacent Roundhouse Park, is now officially open.

 The Railway Museum will attract tourists and local residents interested in this important aspect of our history while Leon’s will serve the increasing number of condo residents moving into the neighbourhood.

 Executive Director, Janice Solomon: “The John Street Roundhouse generates increased interest in – and traffic to –a critical part of our district, paying tribute to our history while helping to pave the way for our future. We congratulate all of those who helped bring this exciting project and neighbourhood to life.’’

 Known as the site of the Steam Whistle Brewery, which has occupied part of the site since 1999, the newly preserved structure will include a loft style Leon’s furniture showroom and the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre, a museum celebrating Toronto’s railway heritage.

 The fully restored 120-foot Roundhouse turntable will allow for rail equipment to be moved in and out of the Centre’s three bays. The turntable courtyard will also be adapted for future public gatherings and concerts. Mayor Miller calls the Roundhouse project, “a great example of what can be accomplished when respect for our heritage is combined with adaptive reuse of an iconic building.”