Living in St. Lawrence
The St. Lawrence neighbourhood is an ideal fusion between contemporary downtown living and a historic foundation. The neighbourhood is one of Toronto’s oldest regions and is rich in character and history. Experience a diverse population in this neighbourhood of residents with mixed incomes as well as a plethora of cultural backgrounds. St. Lawrence boasts a safe environment, making it a well know family-friendly community within the city of Toronto. Enjoy great shopping, countless restaurants, and fantastic seasonal festivities all housed in a historic small-town atmosphere. Well known for its successful urban planning, St. Lawrence has become a model for the design and planning of neighbourhoods across North America.
Berczy Park (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
The Gooderham Building (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
St. Lawrence Market North (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
St. Lawrence Market (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
History of St. Lawrence
The neighbourhood of St. Lawrence has an extensive history dating back to the late 1700s. St. Lawrence was the first industrial area in Toronto and was essential to the city’s industrialization. The region maintained a vital role in Toronto’s industrialization until around the 1940s when the city saw a shift when much of the industrial infrastructure moved outside the city causing the region of St. Lawrence to enter a period of decline. In the 1970s the Toronto government decided to intervene, and with government support, the neighbourhood of St. Lawrence came to life and has continued to blossom and grow since. Now you will find a well-balanced mix of both historic and modern developments. The new St. Lawrence Market North development is a prime example of how builders are integrating more current architecture into the pre-existing character of the neighbourhood. This five-story contemporary structure made mostly of glass and steel was designed to complement the identity of the St. Lawrence neighbourhood. One noteworthy historic landmark building in St. Lawrence is the Gooderham (or Flatiron building) built-in 1892. It is well known for its distinct arrow wedge design, located where Wellington St. merges with Front Street.
Berkeley St (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
The Gooderham Building (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
Homes in St. Lawrence
The St. Lawrence neighbourhood houses a mix of new modern condominium developments and loft-style conversions making the neighbourhood perfectly suitable for any downtown urbanite. Many of the buildings in St. Lawrence were built by some of Toronto’s most successful architects, making the area full of architectural beauty. Throughout the neighbourhood, one very distinguishable feature is the abundance of red brick used in construction. The presence of this 19th-century Georgian style has built the identity of St. Lawrence to resemble a chic European town full of character and personality. The neighbourhood also boasts some of the most generously sized older units in all of Toronto. In recent years, the community has seen an emergence of more progressive architecture with developments using more contemporary materials such as glass and steel. The London on the Esplanade is a notable development that shows the progression of the neighbourhood into a more current architecture. King George Square, situated at King St E and Jarvis, is a highly regarded development.
King George Square (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
Lifestyle in St. Lawrence
Full of historic buildings and repurposed warehouses, this dynamic community boasts small-town living while being in the centre of Canada’s largest city. Along the Esplanade, an east-west street located throughout the center of the neighbourhood, explore countless eclectic shops, restaurants, and bars, all offering a variety of different atmospheres and cuisines. Also located in the neighbourhood, the infamous St. Lawrence Market houses over 200 independent vendors offering some of the most desirable seafood, produce and specialty dishes across all of Canada. This globally respected culinary hub has been rated by National Geographic as the best food market in the world, easily accessible to any residents nearby. Just a short walk from the Distillery District neighbourhood, residents are also near the annual Toronto Christmas Market, attracting visitors from all over the world. This family-friendly neighbourhood is ideal for individuals who wish to be centrally located in a community-oriented pocket of downtown Toronto.
St. Lawrence Market (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
St. Lawrence Market (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
St. Lawrence Market (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
St. Lawrence Market (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
Market St (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
Recreation in St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence, although located in the core of downtown, still has many reactional offerings to maintain a strong sense of community. The St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre located on the Esplanade houses many amenities including a fitness centre, squash courts, a gymnasium and an indoor pool providing a space and opportunity to further connect the neighbourhood. A prominent park in St. Lawrence coined David Crombie Park offers lush green space despite its city-central location. Find basketball courts, handball courts, a waterfall and lots of lush, manicured gardens to escape from urban downtown living. Reach Toronto’s waterfront in just a short walk to the bordering neighbourhood of East Bayfront. Enjoy a sunny beach day at Sugar Beach Park with a walk, run, or bike along the Water’s Edge Promenade.
St. James Park (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
Berczy Park (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
David Crombie Park (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
David Crombie Park (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
David Crombie Park (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
Meridian Hall (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
Canadian Stage (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
Transportation in St. Lawrence
The St. Lawrence neighbourhood is conveniently located within walking distance of Union Station, Canada’s busiest, multi-modal passenger transportation hub. Enter and exit the city easily connecting through Union Station, making the surrounding neighbourhoods accessible to all, especially commuters. The TTC, Go Transit, Via Rail and UP Express all operate out of Union Station providing numerous conveniently accessible routes. For motorists, the St. Lawrence neighbourhood is minutes away from access to the Gardiner Expressway, Lake Shore Boulevard, and the Don Valley Parkway.
King St E (c) Photo by SHANE Maps exclusively for SHANE Maps
