From Lever Brothers soap factory to Unilever to East Harbour development… In the 1890’s, Lever Brothers of Britain built a soap factory at the foot of the Don River. Lever Brothers eventually became part of Unilever, an Anglo-Dutch conglomerate. In 2002 Unilever sold the Toronto factory, but not the land, to Pensler Capital Corp of New Jersey. From the National Post: ” Mr. Pensler renamed the company “Korex.” He froze workers’ wages. They lost their Unilever pensions. In 2008, Mr. Pensler offered a contract which workers said stripped seniority and benefits. About 160 workers walked out; in August, 2009, Korex Don Valley declared bankruptcy.”
The development company, First Gulf Corp., bought the 14-hectare site from Unilever Canada back in 2012. Although there are plans to redevelop the site, nothing has happened yet.
below: The sign says “Drivers, do not exceed 10 psi when unloading T.P.P. hexahydrate.
The building is mostly empty. You can rent space inside if you have about $10,000/day to spend. The grounds are kept fairly clean but the signs of neglect and age are everywhere. There are other interesting bits and pieces left over from the site’s industrial past, but I have chosen to literally focus on the signs today.
below: No more phoning to get into the warehouse.
below: Some signs have left very few traces.
below: It’s not easy to read, but the sign in the foreground is a warning about speed bumps.
as I walk Toronto 
A fascinating reminder of how many factories there used to be in this city. When I first started working it was at a bank in the “Garment District” – we would have lines out the door and down the street on Pay Day. I wonder where all those workers ended up,,,,,
Are you doing “Doors Open Toronto” this weekend?
I have no real plan for the weekend. Starting out Eastern Ave on Saturday morning. Totally playing it by ear.
These abandoned factories make me sad. I am not a fan of globalization and what it has done to local industries.
… but what makes me really angry is when I read stuff like employees losing their pensions. There is a lot of shame to go around on all parties concerned on an issue like this one! 😡