2.5-acre T.O. stacked-container market has event spaces, a brewery, galleries, AstroTurf

Michael Silvestre

TORONTO — Stackt, a 2.5-acre outdoor market fashioned from 120 stacked shipping containers and offering event spaces, its own brewery and startup incubators, has opened a few blocks from Toronto’s CN Tower.

All told, the shipping containers offer 30,000 sq. ft. of mixed-use space that also includes art galleries, retail and services. The market has leased land from the City of Toronto for two years.

For groups, Stackt offers The Studio + The North Hall spaces totaling 2,300 sq. ft., with a combined capacity of 140 people. Both spaces feature south-facing glass walls, downtown views and retractable glass sliding doors for outdoor access. Pending availability, rentals of The Studio or The North Hall may permit use of Courtyard 3.

Serving small-batch suds and a snack menu, 5,000-sq.-ft. Belgian Moon Brewery accommodates 255. With the addition of the West Courtyard patio, Belgian Moon can host 540.

The containers occupy about one-third of the 2.5-acre site, with the remainder of the land dedicated to the beer patio, landscaped AstroTurf and an f&b pavilion (under construction) whose gravel floor will feature a firepit, for use in winter. All containers are insulated and feature air conditioning, so they can operate year round. The entire site is wheelchair accessible.

Activities available for groups include live music, art shows, dance parties, workshops and classes. “Options are endless and we’re open to anything,” said a company spokesperson.

The market works exclusively with four caterers: Victor Restaurant, 10tation Event Catering, Victor Dries and TeeVee Dinner by Highbell Group.