Toronto Historic Plaque: Consumers' Gas Company Water Gas Purification House circa 1899

Anita Windisman

From the plaque: Prior to the the use of natural gas, the Consumers' Gas Company complex that once dominated this area produced both coal and water gas to provide light and fuel for Toronto. This building was constructed for the final purification process of water gas. Given the risk of explosions caused by gas leaks, James H. Hill, the building's architect, skilfully integrated natural ventilation into the structure's Renaissance Revival design. Fresh air entered the plant through brick grilles below, and metal louvres above, the first-floor windows, and exited through two brick chimneys and through clerestory louvres running along the upper roof. The Water Gas Purification House was vacated by Consumers' Gas after the company became a natural gas retailer in the 1950s. In 2004-2005, the building was rehabilitated as a new facility for the Toronto Police Service. Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, 1978. Heritage Toronto 2008

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