Toronto Neighbourhoods
Discover some of the many unique neighbourhoods Toronto has to offer. From the history to shopping, schools and recreation – see why so many call these areas home.
Select Toronto Neighbourhood:
St. Lawrence (Downtown)
History
St. Lawrence Real Estate
The land on which the St. Lawrence neighbourhood is built was originally part of the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Immediately to the north of here, above Front Street, was the Town of York, the forerunner to the City of Toronto. The site of the present day St. Lawrence neighbourhood was created from landfill in the early 1800’s. It was originally intended to serve as a public promenade with a grand Esplanade along the waterfront. However the city turned the land over to the railways, which in turn attracted industry to the St. Lawrence area. By the early 1900’s, St. Lawrence had become one of Toronto’s most prominent industrial centres. It remained a vital industrial area until the late 1940’s, when Toronto’s industrial base began moving outside of the city. Consequently, St. Lawrence went into a period of decline which lasted until the 1970’s, when Toronto politicians made the decision to create the present day St. Lawrence neighbourhood.
Overview
St. Lawrence Homes
Planned and developed by the City of Toronto in the 1970’s as a mixed use housing development, the St. Lawrence neighbourhood has been critically acclaimed as a major success story in urban planning. It has become a model for the design and planning of new neighbourhoods across North America.
Shopping
The Esplanade, which runs through the middle of the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, contains retail stores and services that meet the day-to-day needs of the St. Lawrence residents. The Esplanade’s restaurants, bars, and specialty stores also appeal to tourists as well as Torontonians from other neighbourhoods. St. Lawrence residents have the luxury of being able to walk to the St. Lawrence Market, where they can purchase everything from fresh seafood to farm fresh eggs and organic chicken. The South Market is open all week long while the north building, also known as the ‘farmers market’, is open only on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Recreation
David Crombie Park is a multi-faceted linear park that runs through the centre of the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, along The Esplanade. This park includes pretty strolling and sitting gardens, a waterfall, a handball court, and a basketball court. The St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre is located on The Esplanade. This modern facility includes squash courts, a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a piano room, a weight room, and a games room.
Schools
Please note that the schools listed below have very definite enrollment boundaries.
(P) Market Lane Jr. & Sr., 85 Lower Jarvis St.,
(416) 393-1300
(CA) St. Michael School, 50 George St.,
(416) 393-5387
(PH) Jarvis Collegiate Institute, 495 Jarvis St.,
(416) 393-0140
(PH) School, 19 Sackville St.,
(416) 393-0560
Legend:
(P) Public School
(PH) Public High School
(CA) Catholic School
(PR) Private School
(PC) Private Catholic School
(PJ) Private Jewish School
(C) College
(U) University
Source: David Dunkleman, TorontoNeighbourhoodGuide.com