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Partnership turns old stones into vibrant centre for creative arts, heritage and environment

Historic Alton Mill, awarded the Heritage Canada Foundation Achievement Award for its reuse as a mixed-use arts and heritage complex
Picture courtesy of The Alton Development Inc. and Pete Patterson, all rights reserved

The textile studios at Alton Mill
Picture courtesy of The Alton Development Inc. and Pete Patterson, all rights reserved

Caledon Hills is now home to a unique place where creative people can work and do business, thanks to a strong partnership of forward-looking people. 

The restoration of historic Alton Mill into a beautiful arts and heritage centre was completed in January, 2009 and created more than 80 combined permanent, part-time and temporary jobs over the course of the project. The project was recently honoured with a Heritage Canada Foundation Achievement Award for the rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of the Alton Mill into a mixed-use, arts and heritage complex.

Spearheaded by The Alton Development Inc. (an affiliate of Seaton Group), the project brought together stakeholders including Headwaters Arts and the Peel Heritage Complex along with other community groups, arts organizations, the private sector and government. The centre combines studios, galleries, workshops, offices, specialty retail, event space, a café and an industrial heritage exhibit. The mill also has space for corporate meetings, private parties, and other special events.

In conjunction with significant investment from The Alton Development Inc., the project received funding from the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund (CHPIF) through Parks Canada. 

Learn more

• Mill restoration process - Before, during and after the construction
• About the Rural Economic Development program
• Other tools and programs for Rural Ontario

For more information, please contact:

Brent Ross, Communications Branch, 416-326-9342