The complex, opened in 1958, houses the storage and refining plant of Toronto-based Redpath Sugar. The complex consists of Building 1 (eight floors), a chimney stack, and Building 2 (five floors), which houses the sugar museum. The sugar processed at the plant originates in the Caribbean and Brazil, and is delivered by ships using the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Due to the limited shipping season, sugar cane is stockpiled each fall in facilities next to the processing plant.
In 2006, the red illuminated "Redpath Sugar" sign that adorned the north side of the building was taken down and replaced with a sign (since removed) for Tate & Lyle, the owner at that time (Redpath is now owned by American Sugar Refining). The Redpath signage on the west side of the building is still intact. The north-facing wall of the Raw Sugar Shed features a whale mural by artist Wyland.
