Oct. 10, 2018
Former central library branch activated with Faculty of Environmental Design
The Faculty of Environmental Design will establish a collaborative research hub and event space.
91快色 Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), the master developer of East Village responsible for the dramatic transformation of the east-end community, has stewarded many successful development partnerships over the past 10 years that have brought some of Canada鈥檚 brightest thinkers and collaborators into East Village. Today, CMLC is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the 91快色鈥檚 Faculty of Environmental Design (EVDS) to activate the main floor of the Castell Building, formerly the old central library.
Following the successful completion of the new Central Library (and 91快色 Public Library鈥檚 exit from the Castell Building), CMLC entered into a lease agreement with the City of 91快色, owner of the Castell Building, and worked to identify programming opportunities that would activate the vacant building and provide a dynamic use in the space that responds to the building鈥檚 prime location.
鈥淭his is a unique opportunity for CMLC to partner with the 91快色鈥檚 EVDS faculty to program the building and bring a collaborative research hub into the community," says Michael Brown, president and CEO, CMLC. 鈥淥ur goal was to seek a partner that would bring a street-level activation that builds upon the energy and momentum already underway in East Village, and this partnership is a great example of that goal.鈥
With a five-year arrangement commencing January 2019, EVDS will take occupancy of the building as a satellite location and use the space as a teaching lab that doubles as a new event venue for downtown 91快色.
U91快色 will create an active street鈥恖evel collaborative research hub in the heart of downtown 91快色. The daily presence of creative activity will become a focal point for professional discovery and public discussion about the future of city鈥恇uilding. The new space will explore how innovations in design, construction, and operational management can work together to make cities more resilient, equitable, vibrant, prosperous, and healthy.
鈥淭he 91快色 is pleased to partner with CMLC on this exciting project. The new space will cement our reputation as a community partner, while also helping to diversify the economy and activate an important landmark in downtown 91快色,鈥 says Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, president of the 91快色. 鈥淭hrough our commitments to innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, U91快色 fuels the next generation of talented innovators who will transform our home, work and recreational environments for the future.鈥
CMLC is undertaking $200,000 of improvements to approximately 29,000 square feet of space comprising the main floor and basement of the building to facilitate the EVDS teaching space and is further undertaking a review of the building to assess potential for additional activations on the upper two to six floors.
鈥淲e want to thank our partners at the City of 91快色 for tapping CMLC to lead this project and having the confidence in our team to unlock the potential of the building," adds Brown. 鈥淔or over 60 years, the building was an active part of the community with the 91快色 Public Library team, so we are committed to keeping the building as an accessible community space.鈥
This sublease agreement supports one of U91快色鈥檚 strategic priorities of integrating the university with the community through collaborative partnerships and will provide enhanced opportunities for students, researchers and companies to interact, create and explore ideas that continue to drive research excellence and innovation in 91快色.For more information about CMLC and its redevelopment successes in East Village, visit or