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Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood was once primarily an industrial zone, but a revitalization project launched by the City of Toronto in the 1970s heralded the beginning of its transformation into one of the city’s most distinctive areas.
Today, the neighbourhood offers an eclectic and energetic combination of the old and the new, with the classic character of the district’s historic buildings interspersed with modern condominium complexes.
Centrally located and within easy walking distance of countless downtown Toronto attractions, the St. Lawrence Market area has been hailed as a triumph of urban planning and consistently ranks among the city’s most livable neighbourhoods. Though its boundaries are somewhat fluid, it is largely contained by Yonge Street to the west, Queen Street to the north, Parliament Street to the east, and the CN railway lines to the south.
History
During Canada’s early history, the St. Lawrence Market area served as a centre of government; Upper Canada’s first parliamentary buildings were built in the district in the late 18th century. Though these buildings were destroyed during the War of 1812, their location is commemorated by a plaque in Parliament Square Park, and the Ontario Heritage Trust maintains an information centre dedicated to the preservation of this important chapter of Canada’s past.
The St. Lawrence Market has been a Toronto institution for centuries. It dates back to 1803 when local farmers began operating a Saturday market in a building, which was turned into Toronto’s first city hall in 1834.
Though this stately building was wiped out in the great fire of 1849, St. Lawrence Hall, which now houses the “North Market,” was erected in its place. A new city hall and police station was then built across the street from the original site. Completed in 1845, this complex gradually expanded and was eventually converted into the building which is now home to the “South Market.”
In addition to housing the St. Lawrence Market, the district was also an important hub for shipping, transportation and commerce during Toronto’s early “boom years.” However, the area began to decline in the 1920s when the railway lines servicing central Toronto were moved to what is now Union Station.
By the middle of the 20th century, the industrial buildings in the area were largely abandoned, and the farmers’ market was one of the only old features of the neighbourhood which continued to thrive. This prompted former Toronto mayor David Crombie to launch a carefully planned revitalization project during the 1970s, which did not come to full fruition until the 1990s.
However, Crombie’s vision for a mixed-use neighbourhood blending the old and the new was eventually realized. Today, the St. Lawrence Market area is one of the city’s most popular and sought-after downtown neighbourhoods.
Fun Facts
The iconic wedge-shaped Gooderham “Flatiron” Building, completed in 1892, is one of the architectural focal points of the St. Lawrence Market area. While the Gooderham Building is not as well-known as its Manhattan counterpart, the Fuller Building, it is actually the older of the two and is considered to be the first structure of its kind ever built in North America.
The Esplanade, a fashionable street running through the heart of the neighbourhood, was originally built in the 1840s by filling in the Lake Ontario shoreline south of the street. Intended as a roadway for merchant carts and private carriages, the Esplanade eventually became a thriving rail hub, in large part because its construction was financed by Canada’s major railway companies in exchange for a stake in the ownership of the route.
Real Estate and
Architectural Options
In terms of residential real estate, the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood offers two primary options: lofts and condominiums. The district’s loft conversions have largely been constructed in re-purposed industrial buildings. A typical St. Lawrence Market loft offers attractive and trendy design features including generous floor plans, soaring ceilings and exposed interior brickwork.
St. Lawrence Market condos have been among the hottest residential properties in the city since they were first developed as part of the neighbourhood’s revitalization plan. Some of Toronto’s most desirable condominium complexes lie within the district’s boundaries, and options range from gleaming modern high-rises to intimate units tucked in smaller buildings which seamlessly merge with the area’s historic character.
Transportation
St.Lawrence is one of the most conveniently located neighbourhoods in Toronto. Union Station lies within easy walking distance where travellers can catch both branches of the Yonge-University-Spadina TTC subway line, as well as commuter trains and intercity streetcars.
Several major north-south driving routes sprout from the district, including Yonge, Bay and Jarvis Streets, and eastbound and westbound streetcars can easily be reached via King or Queen Street. The Gardiner Expressway lies just south of the St. Lawrence market area, offering convenient connections to the Don Valley Parkway as well as Highways 401 and 427.
Also giving quick access to the 401 is the Don Valley Parkway which is just to the East. It has been voted one of Toronto’s best autumn drives. Scenic Lake Shore Boulevard offers drivers an alternative to the Gardiner, and is easily accessible from Yonge, Bay, Lower Jarvis and Parliament Streets.
Parks and Green Spaces
As one of the oldest developed districts of Toronto, the St. Lawrence Market area has many points of interest and landmarks for history buffs, including the Cathedral Church of St. James and the Gooderham Building.
Given the neighbourhood’s central location, real estate is at a premium and the area’s green spaces tend to be fairly small and contained. David Crombie Park, named for the Toronto mayor who spearheaded efforts to revitalize the area, is a placid tree-lined space running along the Esplanade. Those seeking a respite from the urban hubbub can venture to Parliament Square Park, located on Parliament Street in the easternmost corner of the neighbourhood.
The Toronto Island is also just moments away and offers acres of parkland, beaches, bike trails and the famous Island amusement park.
Culture and Recreation
An incredible number of cultural and recreational facilities are concentrated in and around the St. Lawrence Market area, including the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, the Imperial Oil Opera Theatre, the SONY Centre for the Performing Arts, and Toronto’s thriving theatre district.
Roy Thomson Hall and Massey Hall are also within easy walking distance of the heart of the neighbourhood.
Both the Air Canada Centre and the Rogers Centre are mere minutes from the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood. Fans of Toronto’s major-league sports teams can indulge their passions while leaving their cars at home, and big-name performers regularly headline concerts at both venues throughout the year.
The Parliament Interpretive Centre, operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust, is located at the intersection of Front and Berkeley. The centre offers visitors a glimpse into the neighbourhood’s long and storied history, and provides detailed historical information about the Upper Canada legislative buildings which once stood near Parliament and Front Streets.
Area residents can also take advantage of the St. Lawrence Community Centre as well as Moss Park Hockey Arena, which offers full-service facilities to youth players and members of adult recreational leagues.
Toronto’s historic Distillery District is adjacent to the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood, and its transformation into a trendy residential and commercial area is already well underway. Residents of St. Lawrence Market can also walk to City Hall, the Bay Street financial district, the fashionable shops of Queen Street West, and the hub of Toronto’s nightclub scene in the Peter and Richmond area.
Schools
Market Lane Junior and Senior Public School offer instruction to students in Junior Kindergarten through eighth grade, and the Downtown Alternative School offers educational programs to students of elementary school age.
Would-be residents should note that the Toronto District School Board’s enrollment policy is heavily based on geographic location; questions about enrollment in nearby public schools should be directed to board representatives.
Also, keep in mind that all Toronto private schools set their own enrollment and admissions policies; be sure to check with the admissions department of any private school you are considering prior to your move to the St. Lawrence Market area, as geographic boundary restrictions may also apply.
George Brown College, a nationally renowned post-secondary educational institution, also has several campuses in the St. Lawrence Market area.
Neighbourhood Amenities
As one of the best located and most popular neighbourhoods in Toronto, the St. Lawrence Market area is naturally home to a staggering range of restaurants, grocery stores and amenities.
In addition to the actual farmers’ market, residents can take full advantage of a refined and upscale culinary culture which includes gastronomic delights such as Canoe, George, Kultura, Ki and Trevor.
The world-famous Harbour Sixty Steak House is also within walking distance. Beer lovers rave about the Bier Market, a wildly popular bar and restaurant offering dozens of fine beers from around the globe. Flagship Sobeys, Metro, Loblaws, and LCBO locations are also located in close proximity to St. Lawrence Market.
Pedestrians can access the interconnected indoor walkways of Toronto’s PATH system along Yonge Street and at Union Station, and the Eaton Centre lies just a few blocks north, at the corner of Yonge and Dundas. All in all, very few Toronto neighbourhoods can boast the sheer range and world-class quality of the amenities that residents of the St. Lawrence Market area enjoy every day.
Future Outlook
Given its proximity to all the best that Toronto has to offer, the St. Lawrence Market area offers sustainable long-term desirability, and every indication points to long term property value increases.
Jethro Seymour, one of the Top St. Lawrence Market Real Estate Brokers, is a midtown Toronto residential specialist with over 20 years of sales experience in real estate, marketing, construction and publishing. He has helped many families find homes in Toronto’s great neighbourhoods, and has extensive knowledge of local markets, new home construction, resale home sales, and the condo market. Living in midtown Toronto, Jethro previews many of the homes that come to market for his clients and inventory knowledge. Jethro specializes in Midtown, Davisville Village and Leaside neighbourhoods.