St Lawrence Market North – Rich in Toronto’s Food History

1971 - St Lawrence Market North and St Lawrence Hall from Front St E and Jarvis St, looking north
1971 – St Lawrence Market North and St Lawrence Hall from Front St E and Jarvis St, looking north

The new St Lawrence Market North building is going to be located at 92 Front St E, at Jarvis St (the northwest corner), in the St Lawrence neighbourhood of Toronto.

The Market Block

In 1803, Lt Governor Peter Hunter declared the land north of Front, east of Church, south of King E and west of Jarvis Sts to be known as the Market Block. The land was donated to the then Town of York on the condition it is used by farmers as a marketplace.

Previous North Markets

1885/95 - A herd of cattle, the third St Lawrence Market North and The Cathedral of St James steeple from Front St E and Jarvis St, looking northwest
1885/95 – A herd of cattle, the third St Lawrence Market North and The Cathedral of St James steeple from Front St E and Jarvis St, looking northwest

There have been many market structures built on this particular block including:

  • In 1803, the first market structure was made of wood.
  • In 1831, the second market was a brick structure that fronted King St E and stretched to Front St E. This was destroyed in the Great Fire of Toronto 1849.
  • In 1851, the third North Market building was completed on the northwest corner of Front St E and Jarvis St. It was accessed through the main Front St E entrance or via the new St Lawrence Hall.
  • In 1904, the previous North Market was demolished and replaced with a fourth building that looked similar to the South Market. A canopy was added between the North and South Markets over Front St E.
  • In 1968, the North Market was once again demolished and replaced by a 2-storey, school-like fifth market building. The farmers market was held on Saturdays and during the warmer months, there were vendors on the exterior.

The Project’s Three Phases

While plans for the new North St Lawrence Market building began in 2002, things did not get rolling until 2015. At the time, the budget was set at approximately $91.4 million. Phase 1 was the construction of a temporary market structure at 125 The Esplanade. During the dig for this temporary market building, 19th-century rail track beds and wharf cribbing were unearthed. Phase 2 was the demolition of the 1968 building while Phase 3 is the construction of the new North Market building.

Historical Foundations & Artifacts Found

In late summer 2015, construction was delayed because the foundations of the previous 1831, 1851 and 1904 markets were found, along with several historical objects. They include eating utensils, meat hooks, broken pottery, as well as a bottle from JJ McLaughlin, the chemist who created Canada Dry ginger ale. They hope to put the artifacts on display in the new building.

The New St Lawrence Market North

2015 - Artist rendering of the future St Lawrence Market North building (Rogers Strik Harbour + Partners)
2015 – Artist rendering of the future St Lawrence Market North building (Rogers Strik Harbour + Partners)

The new North Market will not only be the home of market vendors but also courtrooms, offices and a parking garage. In terms of architecture, the 20,000 sq m five-storey, market building will be constructed of glass and steel with a glass-ceilinged atrium.

The main floor (4,000 sq m) will feature a large hall for the market itself. The space on the mezzanine floor will be for additional vendors, concerts, receptions, weddings and other events. The third and fourth floors (4,000 sq m each) will accommodate offices while the top floor (3,000 sq m) will be for courtrooms.

Using the latest codes for environmental design, the current total budget for the new north marketing building is at approximately $116 million. It’s projected to be completed in 2022.

Click to visit the St Lawrence Market website for more information or to read our post on the St Lawrence Market South building.

St Lawrence Market North Photos

1971 - St Lawrence Market North and St Lawrence Hall from Front St E & Jarvis St, looking north
1971 – St Lawrence Market North and St Lawrence Hall from Front St E & Jarvis St, looking north
2015 - Artist rendering of the future St Lawrence Market North building (Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners)
2015 – Artist rendering of the future St Lawrence Market North building (Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners)
1988/91 - People in front of a vegetable stand at St Lawrence Market North on Front St E
1988/91 – People in front of a vegetable stand at St Lawrence Market North on Front St E
1980/94 - Overhead view of St Lawrence Market North on Front St E, looking northeast
1980/94 – Overhead view of St Lawrence Market North on Front St E, looking northeast
1981 - Shoppers at a vegetable stand in front of St Lawrence Market North on Front St E
1981 – Shoppers at a vegetable stand in front of St Lawrence Market North on Front St E
1974 - Overhead view of the St Lawrence Market area from the King Edward Hotel, looking east
1974 – Overhead view of the St Lawrence Market area from the King Edward Hotel, looking east
1972 - St Lawrence Market North, St Lawrence Hall and The Cathedral of St James steeple from Front St E and Jarvis St, looking northwest
1972 – St Lawrence Market North, St Lawrence Hall and The Cathedral of St James steeple from Front St E and Jarvis St, looking northwest
1971 - A hitching post and flowers at St Lawrence Market North on Front St E and Jarvis St
1971 – A hitching post and flowers at St Lawrence Market North on Front St E and Jarvis St
1968 - Aerial view of the St Lawrence Market area looking east from the Toronto-Dominion Centre
1968 – Aerial view of the St Lawrence Market area looking east from the Toronto-Dominion Centre
1959 - St Lawrence Market North, St Lawrence Hall and parking lot from Front St E, looking northeast
1959 – St Lawrence Market North, St Lawrence Hall and parking lot from Front St E, looking northeast
1952 - Canopy over Front St E connecting St Lawrence Market North to St Lawrence Market South, looking east (Toronto Public Library r-4967)
1952 – Canopy over Front St E connecting St Lawrence Market North to St Lawrence Market South, looking east (Toronto Public Library r-4967)
1950's - The fourth St Lawrence Market North on Front St E and Jarvis St, looking northwest
1950’s – The fourth St Lawrence Market North on Front St E and Jarvis St, looking northwest
1950's - The fourth St Lawrence Market North with canopy connecting to St Lawrence Market from Jarvis St, looking south
1950’s – The fourth St Lawrence Market North with canopy connecting to St Lawrence Market from Jarvis St, looking south
1898 - A cattle herd, the third St Lawrence Market North, St Lawrence Hall and The Cathedral Church of St James steeple from Front St E and Jarvis St, looking northwest (Toronto Public Library r-6039)
1898 – A cattle herd, the third St Lawrence Market North, St Lawrence Hall and The Cathedral Church of St James steeple from Front St E and Jarvis St, looking northwest (Toronto Public Library r-6039)
1898 - The interior of the third St Lawrence Market North prior to alterations (Toronto Public Library r-6036)
1898 – The interior of the third St Lawrence Market North prior to alterations (Toronto Public Library r-6036)
Before 1898 - St. Lawrence Market North and Hall showing east side from Front St E and Jarvis St, before alterations of 1898
Before 1898 – St. Lawrence Market North and Hall showing east side from Front St E and Jarvis St, before alterations of 1898 (Toronto Public Library r-6040)
1885/95 - A herd of cattle, the third St Lawrence Market North and The Cathedral of St James steeple from Front St E and Jarvis St looking northwest
1885/95 – A herd of cattle, the third St Lawrence Market North and The Cathedral of St James steeple from Front St E and Jarvis St looking northwest
1890 - St Lawrence Hall and partial view of third St Lawrence Market North on Jarvis St looking northwest
1890 – St Lawrence Hall and partial view of third St Lawrence Market North on Jarvis St looking northwest
1800's - Sketch of the second Market in York (1831-1849) that fronted King St E and stretched to Front St E
1800’s – Sketch of the second Market in York (1831-1849) that fronted King St E and stretched to Front St E (Landmarks of Toronto Volume 1 by J Ross Robertson)
2013 - St Lawrence Market North and St Lawrence Hall cupola from Front St E and Jarvis St, looking north
2013 – St Lawrence Market North and St Lawrence Hall cupola from Front St E and Jarvis St, looking north (Google Maps)
2021 - Construction of the new St Lawrence Market North, parking level foundation (City of Toronto)
2021 – Construction of the new St Lawrence Market North, parking level foundation (City of Toronto)
2015 - Temporary North Market at 125 The Esplanade completed (City of Toronto)
2015 – Temporary North Market at 125 The Esplanade completed (City of Toronto)
2015 - Archaeology showing original lakebed sand and 19th-century Esplanade crib wall and wharf cribbing during construction of Temporary North Market (City of Toronto)
2015 – Archaeology showing original lakebed sand and 19th-century Esplanade crib wall and wharf cribbing during construction of Temporary North Market (City of Toronto)
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