About
Auto BLDG.
Built in 1919, 158 Sterling Road is a rare early high-rise industrial building with exposed concrete framing, once rumoured to be Toronto’s tallest. Castlepoint Numa led a world-class restoration, modernizing its systems while preserving its heritage. Today, this revitalized property offers flexible commercial space for lease, perfect for creative industries and growing businesses looking for office rental opportunities in one of Toronto’s fastest-evolving neighbourhoods. Home to architects, video editors, and other creative professionals, the Auto BLDG. pairs historic character with modern design.
Our Tenants
The Heritage of 158 Sterling Rd
Originally built around 1912 for the Northern Aluminum Company, the 10-storey Tower Automotive Building was once among Toronto’s tallest industrial structures. As aluminum demand surged during World War I, the factory produced cookware and military supplies, establishing the Junction Triangle as a key industrial hub. By World War II, the company dominated aluminum production across the British Empire, remaining at this location for over 50 years.
Following decades of industrial decline, the building was briefly occupied by Tower Automotive in the early 2000s before standing vacant. As industry moved out, artists and entrepreneurs moved in—transforming the area’s disused factories into creative spaces. In 2018, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) opened in the revitalized tower, marking a new chapter in the building’s legacy. While the neighbourhood’s cultural rise has driven interest and investment, it has also brought gentrification pressures, threatening the very creative community that spurred its transformation.
To offset the carbon footprint of the development, Castlepoint Numa preserved 400 acres of naturalized forest—East Buck Lake Forest in Bracebridge, Ontario. This initiative sequesters the equivalent of 9,640 tonnes of CO₂ and protects a rich natural habitat that includes 2.5 kilometres of waterways, 2 lakes, and 20 native tree species.
Sustainability
About Castlepoint Numa
Founded in 1988, Castlepoint Numa is an industry-leading real estate development company dedicated to creating positive change. Our work is distinguished by an unwavering commitment to community, collaboration and reverence for the people and neighbourhoods we serve. With a globally recognized portfolio of ambitious, cutting-edge properties, we’re known for our focus on heritage re-use, brownfield and waterfront revitalization, and mixed-used developments.
