Corktown is one of the oldest neighbourhood's in Toronto. Found on Queen East from Sherbourne to the DVP, Corktown has been pegged as a neighbourhood to watch for the last decade but is now only slowly showing signs of progress. While empty storefronts still litter Queen East, there's always been the Old Dominion Pub, plus a handful of other stores and restaurants that make Corktown worth a look.
The History of Corktown
In the 19th century, most Corktown residents found employment at one of the local breweries or brickyards. Some of the original workers' cottages can still be seen in the area. Examples of late 19th-century British-style row-housing can still be seen lining Corktown side streets such as Bright Street, Trinity Street, Wilkins Avenue, Ashby Place and Gilead Place.
The first Roman Catholic church in Toronto, St. Paul's Basilica, is found in Corktown. St. Paul's was originally built in 1822. The current St. Paul's (at Queen St. East and Power Street) dates from 1887. St. Paul's Catholic School is the oldest Catholic elementary school in the city, founded in 1842. Beneath its schoolyard and adjacent to St. Paul's Basilica is an unmarked graveyard which served the Catholic community until 1857.
Protestants could not afford the lofty pew rents at nearby St. James Cathedral (Anglican) and this led to the building of their own Little Trinity Anglican Church in 1843 on King Street East. Little Trinity Church is Toronto's oldest surviving church building, its cornerstone laid on July 20, 1843.
The Enoch Turner School on Trinity Street, was built in 1848. This was Toronto's first 'free school'. Its benefactor was Enoch Turner, a prominent Corktown brewer and one of Toronto's great philanthropists. The Schoolhouse is now operated as a museum by the Ontario Heritage Trust, offering tours for adults and children and hosting private events.
In the early 1960s, a significant amount of Corktown was demolished to make way for several elevated roadways, including the Richmond Street off-ramp from the Don Valley Parkway and the re-routed Eastern Avenue overpass. Among the most significant buildings destroyed was the House of Providence (1857–1962), an institution run by the Sisters of St. Joseph to care for orphans and the elderly poor.
Corktown Today
With little in the way of shopping and entertainment in the immediate neighbourhood, Corktown can be more quiet compared to many other Toronto neighbourhood communities. Residents are, however, not far from the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood which includes the St. Lawrence Market, the most popular market in all of Toronto.
When it comes to living in Corktown, pet owners can take the dog out for a run at Orphan’s Green dog park, and families can spend time at Sackville Park, right in the middle of the neighbourhood. Due to the lack of shopping and commercial businesses, the streets of Corktown aren’t busy, with residents heading to other neighbourhoods for their shopping and entertainment needs.
Corktown residents can now go to King and Parliament to browse, shop or dine, as warehouse conversions, lofts and live and work spaces become more commonplace. Corktown’s close proximity to downtown makes city nightlife easy to get to.
Corktown Real Estate
Corktown is one of the more affordable downtown Toronto neighbourhoods. It has recently become popular with young professionals, who find this location extremely convenient to Toronto’s downtown business and entertainment districts.
Corktown also contains some of the oldest Victorian row-houses in Toronto. Some of these houses date back to the 1850’s and 1860’s. These former workers’ cottages can be found on the quaint narrow laneways that are discreetly tucked away off Corktown’s main streets.
You’ll find many streets lined with charming older rowhouses while singles and couples are drawn to loft living, and cottages of Corktown. A neighbourhood in transition, you’ll find older, original property owners along with younger folks looking for a handyman-special to call their home. While educated, many are people just starting out or first time home buyers, so incomes are lower, and ambition is high so finding the perfect gut-job in Corktown just may give you the home of your dreams.
Live-work studios are in fashion, breathing new life into the tired commercial buildings and storefronts. Young residents and professionals are drawn to converted condo lofts and offices that have revitalized the entire neighbourhood and invited new business.
Looking for the best of Corktown?
Parks
Schools
Please click here for a comprehensive list of schools in Corktown.
Restaurants
Reyna: Stylish spot with a verdant ceiling offering coffee and Mediterranean fare, plus evening cocktails.
Impact Kitchen: Loftlike spot serving up breakfast, power bowls, salads & lean proteins, plus smoothies and espresso.
Fusilli: Chef-owner Giuseppe Pelligra crafts Southern Italian dishes in a rustic, casual setting.
Cafés
Tandem Coffee: Java spot with a tandem bicycle & period vibe offering drinks like ice drip coffee and affogatos.
Rooster Coffee House: Arty café with industrial-chic stylings & a menu of Italian coffees, light lunches & pastries.
Roselle Desserts: This tiny bakery offers creative takes on traditional pastries, plus crêpes, tea and coffee.