| Entertainment District
The Toronto Entertainment District is simply that - the
place to go when seeking entertainment. Within eight square blocks, 'The District,' as it
is commonly called, offers restaurants, attractions, shopping, accommodations, sports,
and, of course, the best live theatre that the City has to offer.
When I first moved to Toronto (almost 30 years ago) this neighbourhood was a neglected
warehouse area but it has now reinvented itself as the premier entertainment destination
of Toronto. So much so, that the street signs even boast its name.
From the Princess of Wales Theatre to the CHUM City Building; from the CN Tower to the
SkyDome; above ground and below; every attraction is literally a hop, skip and a jump away
with many shops and restaurants in between. Over the past decade it has also become a high
demand residential community with the introduction of SoHo Lofts and 500 Richmond just
west of Spadina on Richmond and the District Lofts just east of the Spadina intersection
on Richmond. Camden Lofts are also worth mentioning.
Icon I & II round out the loft/condo scene along Wellington and the Soho Metropolitan
Hotel & Condos introduce a unique flare to this fast growing area. One of the more
impressive recently completed condo developments in the area is The Morgan with it's
sister condo community The Hudson (which I say is the "Best
Condo Investment In The City").
On it's northern border , Phoebe in the heart of the trendy Queen West Village offers
quality residential alternatives newly constructed by Diamante introducing true luxury
living to the area. To experience the city's fun and funkiest shopping, head to the cool
culture of Queen Street West. This is the (un)official 'artist' section of the city -
where musicians, actors and trendy shoppers frequent to mix and mingle in cool cafes and
trendy clothing boutiques. (Note: It's not mandatory to wear all basic black. But it sure
helps.)
Long established as one of the upper end residential alternatives Quest, at the corner of
Richmond and Simcoe offers luxury residential condos of size although it is giving up
south exposure to the University Plaza (not really on University) a new middle market
condo on Simcoe. A little further south and directly across the street from Roy Thompson
Hall is Symphony Place, one of the more well established earlier condos.
Of course, when you mention the CN Tower and Skydome, Cityplace (a virtual city within the
city) comes to mind. With it's first five buildings (of 20 or so) already constructed and
occupied, Apex (2 highrise towers), Matrix (2 highrise towers) and Optima (single highrise
tower) and four more (Harbourview Estates) with the foundation underway and four more
(Block 25) being presold, the entire area is undergoing a metomorphus into a thriving and
vibrant community within the downtown core of the city.
With all of its unique and numerous restaurants, attractions, and night clubs all within
an eight-block radius, the Toronto Entertainment District represents an attraction in and
of itself.
St Lawrence Market
The St. Lawrence Market area is one of the oldest areas of the city. Located in the
downtown east side, immediately to the east of the Financial District, the market
represents one of the oldest operating farmer’s markets in the nation.
If you are looking for historic architecture you will want to check out the market area.
Condos are not plentiful as much of the area is designated commercial with lots of
publishing offices in the old warehouses that line the Esplanade.
There is lots of dining and cafes in the area and on Sunday mornings the market converts
into a flee market.
The leading condos in the area are 25 The Esplanade, The King George, St. James, Absolute
Lofts, with new presale developments like Spire, King’s Court, and Mozo introducing
upscale residential condo developments.
"Harbourfront"
Toronto has a waterfront that parallels most major port cities without much of the
industrial eye sore that usually accompanies other port destinations. The waterfront has
long been a high demand area for Torontonians as well as a demand location for Europeans
buying here. |
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The area has come a
long way since the early 80’s when we launched the Queen’s Quay Residences
(still one of the best addresses in the city today). At that time there was virtually no
infrastructure (cafes, restaurants, shops, attractions) and the harbour was quite isolated
from the rest of the city by the Gardner Expressway.
Today the harbour is a four seasons attraction area with sailing and water sports all
summer and skating and winter activities not to mention upscale shopping at the
Queen’s Quay Terminal. The streetcar stops at the front door and runs directly over
to Union Station and the subway.
Business/Financial District
Toronto’s business district does not boast a tremendous number of condominiums
however this is changing. With the introduction of developments such as 1 King St.,
Downtown Plaza, Pantages Tower, Opus, to complement the limited number of existing older
developments such as Empire Plaza, Symphony Place, Metropol, Quest, the financial district
is opening up new opportunities for residences.
Among the benefits offered through living in the financial heart of the nation is first
and foremost the PATH, Toronto’s fascinating shopping concourse below the streets
(works well in those blustery winter days). Living adjacent to the PATH allows you to walk
out your door and into the elaborate maze of brilliantly illuminated shopping and dining
without even wearing a coat. Top this with working in an office that is directly linked
and you’ve got it made.
King West Village
A few years back you would not want to walk the streets of this historic industrial
warehouse district in Toronto’s west end. The Village starts at Bathurst St. just
west of the Entertainment District and runs west to about Shaw St. covering from Queen St.
on it’s north and running down to Duoro.
Today, condo and new loft developments and especially stacked townhouses abound! New
shops, restaurants and coffee shops are popping up and with direct streetcar access to the
core of the city, this area is destined to continue to grow.
At the top of the list as far as developers go in this area, Canderel Stoneridge comes to
mind. Their new site known as Downtown’s Next Address ("DNA") and the
Massey Harris Lofts are setting the standard in the area for quality loft living.
The area has established condos and lofts, mostly built within the past couple of years
such as the Tecumseth Lofts, Electra One and Electra Two as well as the Kings, Westside
and Gotham Lofts. There are some older but mostly upgraded condos worthy of checking out
for the budget conscious at Citysphere and The Summit.
York Mills
An attractive and appealing area at the top of the city (North York starts immediately
north of highway 401) offering uncompromised access to the city’s major highway
network.
The area has long been known for upscale residential alternatives. Some of the city’s
best addresses such as Governor’s Hill I & II, York Mills Mansions, Hillside, 10
York Mills are located in this area.
Great public transit access to the city and lots of green space.
Bloor Corridor
The Bloor Corridor is an area that seldom pops up in local conversations. It starts at
Yonge St. and Bloor and runs east to Sherbourne St.
Condensed to really only one or two streets, this strip of Toronto real estate boasts some
of the nations leading corporate citizens and ad agencies along with many high quality
residential condo communities.
Established residences like The Rosedale, Rosedale Glen, Signatures on Bloor are being
complemented with new developments like Bellagio, Eight Park Road, Eighty Five Bloor,
Bloor Walk, and The Bloor St. Neighbourhood. |
