The Timeline
Every brick, beam, and bolt tells a story. We're just the latest chapter in a building that's seen Toronto grow from a scrappy industrial town to the city it is today.
1892
The Beginning
Thomas Ignivarion founded the forge right here on King Street. Back then, it was all about making industrial tools and hardware for the railroads pushing through Ontario. The place was noisy, hot, and honestly kinda dangerous by today's standards.
1920s-1940s
The Glory Years
Peak production era. Over 200 workers hammering away, three shifts a day. During WWII, they pivoted to making parts for military vehicles. The building expanded twice during this period - you can still see where the old brick meets the newer sections.
1987
The Quiet Years
Competition from overseas and changing manufacturing meant the forge closed its doors. For nearly 30 years, this place sat empty except for some artists who squatted here in the late 90s. Honestly, it got pretty rough.
2018-2022
The Transformation
We bought the property and spent four years carefully restoring what mattered while adding everything a modern hotel needs. Kept the original steel beams, the brick walls, even salvaged some of the old machinery you'll see in the lobby. It was a massive undertaking.
2023
Opening Day
January 15th, we opened our doors as Ignivarion Forge Hotel. The name's a tribute to the building's roots, and we're pretty proud of what we've created - a place where you can feel the history but enjoy all the comforts you'd expect from a boutique hotel.
