The roof garden began in an informal way back in 1995 through the efforts of Property Manager, Mike Moody , a plant aficionado and seasoned gardener. Already a treasured gathering space for tenants, it has evolved into a 6,500 square foot cedar deck, resplendent with flowers, vines and bushes – many of which have been grown from seed - and a lush blanket of sedum that covers close to 3,000 square feet of roof beyond the deck. There are also a number of large planters that hold trees and perennial shrubs that winter over on the roof. This fabulous outdoor space offers spectacular downtown views, including one of the CN Tower.
In the fall of 2000, a 40 foot greenhouse was installed to provide winter shelter for large tropical plants and to act as a nursery to start spring/summer annuals from seeds that were collected the season before. The greenhouse provides an early start to the growing season and a stunning collection of blooms in early Spring.
The roof garden cedar deck provides an additional air pocket over part of the third floor roof, which not only helps to protect the roof membrane from freeze-thaw stretching but provides a layer of winter insulation for the suites underneath. Similarly, the roof garden deck and plants provide summer shade which serves to cool the suites that lie directly beneath.
The trees and shrubs in the roof garden also work to mitigate air pollution by trapping particulates and absorbing gaseous emissions that arise from the busy streets surrounding the building. Similarly, the many plants trap and hold rainfall that prevents polluted stormwater runoff from leaving part of the building roof. Socially, the roof garden affords a great private and public benefit, attracting visitors and tenants throughout the year.
The roof garden is a relaxing destination for summer visitors and tenants at 401 Richmond. It provides an interesting meeting place for lunch breaks, celebrations, or just a place to relax in the oasis of greenery – it is truly rejuvenating. Tenants and visitors particularly enjoy the quiet relief from urban noise pollution, as the trees and plants provide insulation from street noise as well as necessary shade.
Shade cloth over the pergola, that holds many hanging baskets, trees and shrubs, also provides a respite from the hot sun for guests as they sit among the many natural colours and green elements. Mike and his team have put many hours into the hand-watering and care of the garden plants - with an overall effort that is appreciated and rewarding for all involved.
Mike works year round to ensure that the garden is a marvel in all seasons – but particularly spring, summer and fall. The plants and flowers in the roof garden are selected for beauty, aroma and their ability to attract bees, butterflies, ladybugs, birds, and other insects. And they do! This is an encouraging sign that Mike's organic gardening practices are paying off. Mike has also grown a variety of organic vegetables on the roof including peas, red cabbage, and tomatoes which have been used by our on-site café to enhance delicious salads and entrées.
In September 2005, another 2,600 square feet of roof garden was added covering a blank roof top to the east of the deck. This new piece of greenery is an extensive green roof - quite different from the existing boxes of flowers and shrubs. Rather than being perched atop a cedar deck, this installation goes directly on to the rooftop creating a carpet of succulent sedum plants.
Extensive green roofs are light weight and easily installed. This new garden provides a lovely extension to the roof garden and adds to the sense of being in a natural landscape despite it's height from the ground. There were also small 100 square foot green roofs installed on two of the existing heritage skylights showing that no roof is too small to green!
401 Richmond is pleased to feature this green technology as another means of acting locally to promote urban revitalization (environmental and social), tenant enjoyment, and heritage building conservation.
For more information on the extensive green roof click here.
The roof garden at 401 Richmond has gone wifi becoming a Wireless Toronto hot spot. Wireless Toronto is a non-profit, all-volunteer group dedicated to the growth of no-cost wireless Internet access in Toronto's public and publically accessible spaces. They have already brought wireless to the Roastery Coffee House and now people are able to get connected while lounging in our rooftop urban oasis.
Instructions on how to get connected are posted in the garden. For more on Wireless Toronto visit: www.wirelesstoronto.ca
From 2003 - 2007, Environment, Health + Safety Coordinator
Beth Anne used a roof composter to build up the organic matter required for supporting the new seeds and potted plants. An above ground compost tumbler was a great benefit to accelerating the composting cycle, breaking down food wastes quickly and providing fresh compost for the planter boxes. Mike Nevin, a local composting guru, was consulted about the best method to make compost on the 401 roof and provided guidance for seminar for tenants and community members.
Fresh, earthy compost was used as the growing medium, so no new soil was hoisted to the roof. Peat moss was purchased locally and used as a bulking agent to add soil structure.
Overall the roof top urban agriculture project was a success as it raised awareness among tenants about the potential to grow local fresh food on rooftops. Visitors and tenants who visited the café were treated to “picked-fresh-daily” herbs vegetables and salads at the height of the season.
Download a pdf of our roof garden information poster created for Doors Open Toronto click here.
Tour our roof garden with Walk T.O. as part of their Toronto the Green tour:
www.walkto.ca/green.html
Take a self-guided tree tour by visiting Toronto Tree Tours website: www.treetours.to/green-roofs-and-trees
The tour includes our roof gardens at both 401 Richmond and 215 Spadina
You can catch a podcast of a tour done by LEAF and Jane's Walk Toronto by Dear Toronto at: http://deartoronto.blip.tv/#906181
www.janeswalk.net
Making Greenroofs Happen and Green Roof Pilot Program: www.toronto.ca/greenroofs/policy.htm
For information on urban agriculture try:
www.cityfarmer.org/greenpotential.html
For information on green roof research, projects and related information:
www.greenroofs.org
www.greenroofs.com
There are also a number of green elements, such as a green roof and indoor biowall, at our sister building, The Robertson Building ( 215 Spadina Ave.) that may be of interest.
Click here to see more.
For information on the roof garden please contact Director of Communications and Community Development Erin MacKeen: 416.595.5900 x25 / email
Roof garden looking east, summer 2006.
The extensive green roof installed in late summer 2005. The application is a vast carpet of various succulent sedum plants.
Many flowering bushes winter over on the roof and come to life in the spring.
Green Toronto Awards (left to right) Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, award sponsor Stantec's Michael Moxam, Urbanspace Property Manager Mike Moody, and Mayor David Miller.
