Lying just beyond the main lobby of 401 Richmond, the open air interior courtyard is a lush gem in the centre of the building. Large french doors open out onto the courtyard from the main hallway and children from Studio 123 Early Learning Centre can be seen at play throughout the day.
Two small brick structures including a tin vault were removed to provide space for an inner courtyard complete with cedar benches, flower beds, and a sandbox for the children. Two trees of heaven now stand taller than the building itself and provide a leafy canopy over the space keeping it cool even in the heat of summer. There is also a birch tree that was gifted to Urbanspace Property Group by tenants and holds a place of honour in the centre of the open space. Vines and ivy that were planted a number of years ago have made their way across the brick walls on either side of the courtyard and may soon try to make their way over the skywalk to the east side of the building.
An open steel spiral staircase makes the courtyard accessible to tenants from all four levels and provides a lovely view of the interior section of the building; including the impressive glass entrance to Studio 123, and the skywalk connecting the north and south sections of 401 Richmond.
The courtyard is an outdoor play space for children from Studio 123, but is also often used as a gathering space for tenants as a well-utilized common space in the building.
401 Fact: above the courtyard entrace to Studio 123 Early Learning Centre there is a latin phrase Spiritus in nobis qui viget illa facit. If you look on the courtyard stairs you will see the translation: The Spirit living within us fashions all this.
