Welcome To Toronto’s St. Lawrence Neighbourhood – An Area Guide

Located south of Old Town, west of the Distillery District, north of Harbourfront and east of the Financial District, St. Lawrence is a neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, home to the famous St. Lawrence Market and the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. It is arguably the most vibrant of Old Town Toronto’s original six neighbourhoods, which include Town of York, King East, Queen East, the Distillery District, and Corktown.

When it comes to St. Lawrence, perhaps the most notable attraction of the neighbourhood is its location extending from Yonge Street to Parliament Street and from Queen Street East to the rail corridor. It adjoins the Central Business District and includes the ten original blocks of the Town of York, a fact demonstrated to best effect by unique landmarks in St. Lawrence including Toronto's first city hall and police station, and the Flatiron building.

Indeed, once a neighbourhood surrounded by forest and fields where the tallest building was only three storeys high and where Lake Ontario lapped against Front Street, St. Lawrence has, over the years, become a successful and fully-functioning mixed-use community, achieving the Holy Grail of urban planning. The neighbourhood is a bustling, pedestrian-friendly area that never rests with its busy commercial spaces by day and vibrant nightlife.

Of course, when talking about St. Lawrence, one can’t possibly neglect to elaborate on its famed farmer's market that draws huge crowds every weekend. We are talking here about St. Lawrence Market, one of the world’s greatest markets with plenty to see, taste and discover. The market is composed of 3 main buildings namely the South Market, the North Market and St. Lawrence Hall. Each has a main purpose!

Alongside St. Lawrence Market, the neighbourhood also boasts attractions like the David Crombie Park and The Esplanade off Yonge Street, lined with restaurants, cafés, and hotels. St. Lawrence also features some of Toronto’s most distinctive architecture from classic redbrick buildings to high-rise condominiums.

For example, Backstage Condominiums in the heart of St. Lawrence is a 36-storey condominium residence designed with dramatic flair. Other notable residential developments in the area include Ivory designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, Market Wharf and The Berczy, which is a stunning collection of 166 city homes in a terraced 13-storey condominium.

If you are looking to buy, St. Lawrence is an energetic hub for culture, entertainment, business and real estate. Residents here include stylish urbanites and young professionals, in line with the stereotypical depiction of downtown dwellers.