Established in 1803, St. Lawrence isn’t exactly a scrappy young upstart. But what it’s done exceptionally well on the urban-planning front, particularly since the ’80s and ’90s, is supply condo stock—spacious units made for empty nesters (80 George Street, Old Yorke Place) and young professionals (buildings on the Esplanade). Today, new towers are going up, including the Berczy and Backstage on the Esplanade, and realtors are pushing the neighbourhood’s boundaries as far north as Richmond and Queen, where the Post House and Vu condos are up and running. It makes for one of the city’s best car-ditching zones—here is a walking tour to prove it.
From Yonge St. to Parliament St.; from Front St. E. to the Gardiner Expressway
2009: $348,353
2010: $385,609
2011: $401,811
*2011 averages reflect most recent data from January to August
St. Lawrence Market is being updated: the north building will get a $58-million renovation, and there’s a petition to turn Market Street into a pedestrian-only zone lined with patios and a flower market. 92-95 Front St. E., 416-392-7219.
Front Street has no end of staples—a Winners, a 24-hour Metro, an LCBO and the Rainbow Cinemas—not to mention Nicholas Hoare Books and the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. And that’s just between Yonge and Jarvis.
The brunch hangout Le Petit Dejeuner has lineup-worthy toast champignon, eggs benny and croque monsieur. 191 King St. E., 416-703-1560.
In 2010, a formerly grey industrial zone became a portal to the bayfront revitalization with sandy Sugar Beach—a radiant patch dotted with Muskoka chairs and whimsical pink umbrellas. Lower Jarvis St., south of Queens Quay.
The area is teeming with Starbucks, but latte purists get their brews to go from Bisogno Espresso Bar. 61 Sherbourne St. (no telephone).
There’s high dining galore, including French fusion Lucien, 36 Wellington St. E., 504-9990.
Colborne Lane, 45 Colborne St., 416-368-9009.
Origin, 107 to 109 King St. E., 416-603-8009.
Nitpicking, but…
The St. Lawrence Market north buiding isn’t getting a reno, it’s getting a completely new building!
January 9, 2012 at 11:56 am | by Jason ParisIf I’m not mistaken…St. Lawrence Mrkt is West of Jarvis?
January 9, 2012 at 1:13 pm | by FrancisXL@FrancisXL its also on the south side of Front… This map is a headache.
January 9, 2012 at 5:43 pm | by LucasCanada’s Housing Bubble has surpassed the US bubble:
http://www.newworldparty.org/2011/11/bubbles-extreme-maker-and-breaker-of.html
Monkey see, monkey do.
January 9, 2012 at 10:58 pm | by NewWorldPartyDotOrgStrange area… not sure if I can relate to it.. something just dont feel right about St Lawrence market area.. worse off that market is so overprice and touristy.. head to Kensington Market!!
January 9, 2012 at 11:53 pm | by TodThere is an amazing furniture store called GAUTIER that opened 5 minutes away from the market, at Adelaide and Jarvis.
January 10, 2012 at 11:48 am | by AlexeyThis is definately a district to shop for everything!