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City Centre: it’s the heart of Toronto, it’s core, it’s hub, and it’s nucleus. Regardless of what you prefer to call it, the point is this neighbourhood is the centre of all the action. Catering to tourists as much as locals, City Centre is filled with hotels, theatres, shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as plenty of specialized attractions — not to mention plenty of Toronto condos for sale.
Whether residents plan to host visitors from far off places or have children to entertain, spending a day in City Centre is never a bore. The CN Tower has been a mainstay of the city’s tourism industry for decades now, and newcomers like the Ripley’s Aquarium are equally exciting.
Museums catering to specific interests can also be found in the neighbourhood, including the Design Exchange, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Textile Museum of Canada. As for live entertainment, attending mainstream concerts and sporting games is as easy as walking over to the Scotiabank Arena. More refined events like opera and ballet performances, on the other hand, can be found at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
Naturally, City Hall also calls City Centre home. Finnish architect Viljo Revell created the unique design: two curved towers facing each other, with a rounded building in the centre. Revell’s design was chosen during a competition, beating out over 500 entries from architects around the world, and the building was finally erected in 1965. While residents may not visit the inside of City Hall all that often, the area in front of the building is a popular hangout spot: locals flock to Nathan Phillips Square for photographs beside the Toronto sign, ice skating in the winter, and a weekly farmers market during the warmer months.
Just next door is Old City Hall, which has been around since 1899. Today the Ontario Court of Justice calls the Romanesque Revival structure home. With its ornate sandstone façade, Old City Hall is one of the most significant heritage buildings in the city.
Speaking of historic buildings, Osgoode Hall is yet another long standing structure in City Centre. Designated a National Historic Site of Canada, the grounds surrounding the building is probably the best green space – and the best-kept secret – in the neighbourhood. Osgoode Hall was constructed in 1832 to house a law school, and the building is now occupied by Ontario Court of Appeal, the Superior Court of Justice, and the Law Society of Ontario, as well as a law library.
As expected of the core of a multicultural metropolis, City Centre really does have something for everyone. Between the Eaton Centre, Saks Food Hall, Little Tokyo along Dundas, and the popular bars and clubs along Richmond and Adelaide, shopping, dining, and nightlife are covered. Plus there are plenty of upscale dining options, catering to those in search of after-work drinks or the perfect locale for a business lunch.
Although the Eaton Centre takes over a large portion of the land in City Centre, there are still over 20 condos in the neighbourhood. The buildings range in terms of size, age, price point, and style, catering to the diverse group of prospective buyers who want to live in the centre of it all. Those looking for a luxurious place to live, for example, might find themselves looking into the Shangri-La Residences. The homes span up to 4,400 square feet, and residents can enjoy having Momofuku and the Miraj Hammam Spa in the building.
Then there’s the Graphic Arts Building, which was built 1913 as head offices of Saturday Night Magazine. The historical structure was converted 90 years later, with its limestone façade now setting the stage for the contemporary homes within. Some high-density buildings can also be found in City Centre: built in 2016, INDX is home to nearly 800 units, while the 2010-built Maple Leaf Square consists of 872 homes spread out over 49 storeys.
Whether used by weekday commuters or those heading out of town, Union Station fortunately resides within this neighbourhood. From here, travelers can hop onto subway trains heading up and down Yonge and University, plus they have access to VIA Rail trains, GO buses and trains, and the UP service to Pearson International Airport.
The Locals: They move to the beat of the city – and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Code of Conduct: Residents may experience a guilty feeling if they spend too many Saturdays at home.
What You’ll Find: A pulsating neighbourhood that moves at a quick pace.
What You Won’t Find: Single-family homes with sprawling front yards.
The Homes: Mainly condos, but with a great deal of variation in terms of price, style, and size.
Sealing the Deal: It’s called City Centre for a reason.