So, you’re considering buying in the Canary District? Well, I hope you do, as that would make us neighbours! After calling Riverdale home for the last several years, I recently packed up and made the move here. I’ve quickly become pretty familiar with it — and what can I say, it’s an amazing place to live, work, shop and play! Nope, no buyer’s remorse from me. On that note, if you see me around, don’t hesitate to come say a big “HELLO!” Perhaps we can even do some exploring together. After all, there are lots of gems for you to unearth.

The Real Estate Scoop


To familiarize yourself with the kind of real estate being offered in the Canary District, you first need to understand how the locality first came to be. That’s because it’s a recent addition to our ‘city of neighbourhoods’. Situated in Toronto’s West Don Lands mixed-use development, the Canary District’s first buildings were initially commissioned for the 2015 Pan American Games. The goal? To accommodate approximately 10,000 athletes and team officials in around 1,300 units. This former Athletes’ Village was subsequently finished and converted to private residences. There’s the Canary Park condos, which constitute two mid-rise towers that face the Corktown Common park. There is also the eponymous Canary District complex — consisting of another two towers, themselves joined by a common courtyard and townhomes. Finally, there is the arrival the new Canary Block. In addition, many more projects are being planned to welcome end users and renters alike. If there’s many one drawback in these parts, unfortunately no schools have opened yet in the Canary District — owing to its newcomer status and all. That said, plenty good ones can be found a hop, skip and jump away.

The Neighbourhood


An active and growing community that isn’t even three years old, the Canary District is already bringing a ton of vitality and energy to the downtown east section of Toronto. For one, the Cooper Koo Family YMCA calls all 82,000 square feet of itself home here. So does George Brown College’s inaugural student residence, as well as the vibrant, health-centric Front Street Promenade.

For food, fitness and drink — and not necessarily in that order — you’ve not only got Sukhothai, Fuel Plus and Dark Horse Espresso, but Souk Tabule, Think Fitness and Tori’s Bakeshop, who brew a mean cup of joe from a Slayer machine. Or if it’s a spa day you’re looking for, Opusglow can take care of any of your massage and waxing needs. And if all that wasn’t enticing enough, the Canary District is connected to the aforementioned 18-acre Corktown Common, plus the neighbouring Distillery District and Leslieville. Oh, and downtown Toronto itself, of course! Access them all with the frequent TTC 514 Cherry streetcar, which connects directly with King Street, buses and nearby subway stations.


The Neighbourhood in Photos (Photo By Karyn)