Harbour District
The Harbour District refers to an area of Toronto, Canada south of Union Station, between Lower Simcoe, Bay Street, the railway tracks and Lake Ontario. It is a mixed residential and commercial district that has many high-rises. Toronto's newest neighbourhood, the Harbour District is also known as "South Core" or "Downtown South". Previous names came about from marketing and real-estate initiatives in the area. The new name was selected in a city-wide poll held by The Grid and announced on March 13, 2012.
History
When Toronto was first settled, the area south of Front Street was below the water line. As development happened, the area was landfilled to make way for harbour uses such as docks, passenger terminals and processing facilities, and railways. By the 1960s, the area was stretched south of Queen's Quay and was primarily industrial. Since the building of the Harbourfront Centre on Queen's Quay, starting in the 1980s, new condominium towers were built, bringing new residents to the area. Although there was a recession in the early 1990s, the City of Toronto made plans to spruce up the harbour district. According to David Crombie, the former Toronto mayor and head of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust:
"There were lots of plans being made during that time, planning for when investment came back," according to Crombie. "We've seen the return of investment in the last couple of years, put into ground that was already well-tilled by plans drawn up during the recession."
Development followed to the north of the Gardiner Expressway. In the 1990s, the Air Canada Centre replaced the Postal Terminal, and added another landmark to the area. This was followed by further condominium and commercial construction. In the 2000s, the owners of the Air Canada Centre built the Maple Leaf Square residences and commercial complex. At the same time, new commercial office towers followed, including the Telus regional headquarters.
Description
Area landmarks includes the Air Canada Centre, Telus Tower & Real Sports Bar & Grill. Maple Leaf Square, located in the Harbour District, is a popular mixed-use retail and residential development - featuring the LCBO, , the e11even restaurant and Hôtel Le Germain. Because of it's location adjacent to Union Station, thousands of people pass through the Harbour District daily. Access to the underground PATH system is also accessible here.
Many condominium residences are built close to the major highway that cuts through the district. According to a March 18, 2012 article in The Toronto Star, "in most cases condos must be five metres from the expressway."
The Toronto Harbour Commission, now the Toronto Port Authority, is located in the District. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's Toronto headquarters is located here.
Toronto Port Authority development
On March 28, 2012, the Toronto Port Authority announced the selection of Oxford Properties - of the OMERS pension group - to redevelop the large parcel of land currently occupied by a parking lot and the old Toronto Harbour Commission building at 60 Harbour Street. According to the CBC, "the announcement is part of efforts to create a new commercial district near the south end of Bay Street, the centre of Toronto's financial district." The redevelopment of the site is expected to attract “high quality office and commercial opportunities."
Transportation
Union Station and Toronto GO Transit service can be accessed from the northeast side of the Air Canada Centre and the connection between the Telus Building and Maple Leaf Square. The Gardiner Expressway passes through the Harbour District. The TTC Terminal Northbound is located at the base of Bay Street and Queens Quay. Visitors by bicycle and walking can access the Waterfront Trail.
History
When Toronto was first settled, the area south of Front Street was below the water line. As development happened, the area was landfilled to make way for harbour uses such as docks, passenger terminals and processing facilities, and railways. By the 1960s, the area was stretched south of Queen's Quay and was primarily industrial. Since the building of the Harbourfront Centre on Queen's Quay, starting in the 1980s, new condominium towers were built, bringing new residents to the area. Although there was a recession in the early 1990s, the City of Toronto made plans to spruce up the harbour district. According to David Crombie, the former Toronto mayor and head of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust:
"There were lots of plans being made during that time, planning for when investment came back," according to Crombie. "We've seen the return of investment in the last couple of years, put into ground that was already well-tilled by plans drawn up during the recession."
Development followed to the north of the Gardiner Expressway. In the 1990s, the Air Canada Centre replaced the Postal Terminal, and added another landmark to the area. This was followed by further condominium and commercial construction. In the 2000s, the owners of the Air Canada Centre built the Maple Leaf Square residences and commercial complex. At the same time, new commercial office towers followed, including the Telus regional headquarters.
Description
Area landmarks includes the Air Canada Centre, Telus Tower & Real Sports Bar & Grill. Maple Leaf Square, located in the Harbour District, is a popular mixed-use retail and residential development - featuring the LCBO, , the e11even restaurant and Hôtel Le Germain. Because of it's location adjacent to Union Station, thousands of people pass through the Harbour District daily. Access to the underground PATH system is also accessible here.
Many condominium residences are built close to the major highway that cuts through the district. According to a March 18, 2012 article in The Toronto Star, "in most cases condos must be five metres from the expressway."
The Toronto Harbour Commission, now the Toronto Port Authority, is located in the District. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's Toronto headquarters is located here.
Toronto Port Authority development
On March 28, 2012, the Toronto Port Authority announced the selection of Oxford Properties - of the OMERS pension group - to redevelop the large parcel of land currently occupied by a parking lot and the old Toronto Harbour Commission building at 60 Harbour Street. According to the CBC, "the announcement is part of efforts to create a new commercial district near the south end of Bay Street, the centre of Toronto's financial district." The redevelopment of the site is expected to attract “high quality office and commercial opportunities."
Transportation
Union Station and Toronto GO Transit service can be accessed from the northeast side of the Air Canada Centre and the connection between the Telus Building and Maple Leaf Square. The Gardiner Expressway passes through the Harbour District. The TTC Terminal Northbound is located at the base of Bay Street and Queens Quay. Visitors by bicycle and walking can access the Waterfront Trail.
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