The Bay Street Corridor neighbourhood is about as central as you can get. Bordered by University, Dundas, Yonge and St. Mary’s (a small street south of Bloor), it’s characterized by glass and steel, sleek architecture, and busy, dynamic people. It’s one of the most densely populated areas in the city, which is no surprise considering all the advantages of living here. You can walk to the Financial District, Hospital Row, two universities, the Discovery District, the Eaton Centre, Bloor Yorkville, the PATH and more.
A mix of old and new
There isn’t much in the way of houses here: the Bay Street Corridor is condo central. There are still some houses to be found along side streets like Elm and Baldwin, but most have been converted into shops, restaurants and other commercial spaces.
Aura at College Park
Polo Club at 1055 Bay
You’ll find sexy new condo buildings, like the sleek 79-storey Aura at College Park (the tallest residential tower in Canada), as well as older residences built in the 1990s and 2000s. Average price per square foot in the area hovers just under $1,000, and average maintenance fees are $0.82 a square foot.
TIP: To get a sense of what you’ll pay per square foot in a specific building, choose a listing like this one, click on the building link (it’s right below the address at the top), then scroll down to “values and trends” to see how it compares to the rest of the neighbourhood.
Queen’s Park grounds in autumn
Perfectly walkable.
No cars needed here – this area has a walk score of 99, so you’ll find everything you need within walking distance. And there are lots of great places to walk. Interesting streets, busy thoroughfares and plenty of green spaces – pockets of calm where you can walk your pup or relax with a coffee on a sunny afternoon. Check out Alexander Street Parkette, McCaul Orde Park, and the gorgeous grounds of Queen’s Park and University of Toronto.
The Bay Street Corridor also has a perfect transit score of 100: it’s incredibly easy to get around by subway, streetcar or bus. If you do have a car, the Gardiner is a short drive south. And you can catch the DVP with a quick (and very pretty) drive along Rosedale Valley Road, just north of Bloor.
Who lives here?
The population of the Bay Street Corridor is young and diverse, with half of local residents falling in the 20-34 age range. Single-person households make up the majority (54%), and 72% of those who live here rent their homes.
The neighbourhood is popular with young professionals and students – being able to walk to work or school is a big draw, and the safety of condo living, with concierge services and security camera, also has a lot of appeal. This is an educated, successful demographic: more than 60% have a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree, and the average household income is over $129K a year.
TIP: This kind of demographic information is available for any listing on condos.ca – just scroll down to “Explore Bay Street Corridor” (or whatever area you’re looking at).
Read more: Using demographic data to see if an area is right for you
The Ward historic photo
A little history.
Once upon a time, this area was known as The Ward – a diverse enclave that was home to a variety of groups, from Jewish immigrants in the 1890s to Italian and Chinese residents in the early 1900s. It was an area characterized by poverty, but also strong community ties. In the 1950s, the neighbourhood went through a drastic change when the city expropriated much of the land, relocating residents and razing homes and businesses to make room for Toronto’s New City Hall.
If you’re interested in the history of the area, check out wardmuseum.ca. It’s a community-based “museum of migration” that looks at the experiences and contributions of immigrants over the years.
Condos didn’t really make an appearance in the area until the 1990s, but since then, many residential buildings have gone up, with new towers being built all the time – especially recently. In fact, the majority of condos in the Bay Street Corridor have been built in the last 10 years.
Great eateries.
There are countless dining options in and around the Bay Street Corridor, from high-end spots to cheap and cheerful, student-friendly fare. Here are a few of our favourites.
Yummy French bistro food…with a side order of jazz. They have performances almost every night – it’s perfect for a pre- or post-theatre snack or a cozy evening with someone you really like.
Amazing Portuguese seafood in an elegant setting. Try the Cataplana fish stew – you won’t be disappointed, we promise.
This Yonge Street Thai mainstay has been a favourite of TMU (formerly Ryerson) students and faculty for years. It isn’t fancy, but it’s very affordable – and always delicious. (Mango chicken for the win!)
Billing themselves as “Toronto’s favourite diner,” this iconic spot is all about home-style comfort food like big breakfasts and burgers and milkshakes.
This upscale British pub is located on quiet Elm Street, in a lovely old Victorian row house. The food is fantastic, the dining room is lovely and they have a great rooftop patio. But our absolute favourite is the comfy upstairs den. With weathered floors and squashy couches, there’s no place like it on a wintry day.
Other stuff we love
Downtown finally has its own IKEA – no more schlepping to the suburbs for Billy bookcases and Malm beds. It’s their first-ever “urban format” store in Canada, and one of only a handful in the world. We really like the in-store Swedish Deli, which has super-affordable meals and snacks.
No-frills, quality clothes, accessories and household goods from the beloved Japanese chain.
Get your movie and popcorn fix at this super-central multiplex, located right in Yonge-Dundas Square.
Thinking about buying in the Bay Street Corridor? Search available properties.
Want to check out our other neighbourhood guides? Learn about the Distillery, King West and the best neighbourhoods for renters.