Building on a brownfield
Built in 1899, the Consumer Gas Water Purifying House (located at 296 Front St. E.) had been designated a heritage structure.

The site is deemed a brownfield because it was contaminated with metals, petroleum hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Before using the land, a risk assessment was done to minimize the disposal of contaminated waste. 

As part of the site redevelopment, some contaminated soil was taken for off-site disposal, stucco and asbestos roof tiles were removed and brickwork was restored. 

Additional challenges were the buried infrastructure from the former gasification plant, buried rubble, the discovery of undocumented underground storage tanks and buried concrete footings from the original building.

The main west house building and two ventilation shafts on the north side were retained and fully restored to provide a unique setting for 51 Division Police Station, which relocated to its new facility in the spring of 2004.

Toronto Police Services and Facilities and Real Estate received a Brownie Award in 2003, in recognition of this project. The Canadian Urban Institute presents Brownie awards for leadership, innovation and environmental sustainability in brownfields redevelopment across Canada.