St Patrick’s Market – On Land Bequeathed to the City in 1836

5 December 2022

Circa 1912 - The second St Patrick's Market — Circa 1912 – The second St Patrick’s Market (Toronto Public Library R-6840)

The former St Patrick’s Market building is located at 238 Queen St W (on the north side, between McCaul St and John St) in the Queen West area of Toronto.

In 1836, D’Arcy Boulton Jr bequeathed land to the City with the promise that it would be used as a market open to all for perpetuity. It was Toronto’s second, named after the ward. St Lawrence Market opened about 50 years prior.

Mr Boulton was from a high-profile family. He trained as a lawyer; however, he worked as a merchant. Mr Boulton and his family lived at the Grange, which is now part of the Art Gallery of Ontario.

The Earlier St Patrick’s Market Structures

1845 - The first St Patrick's Market — 1845 – The first St Patrick’s Market (Toronto Public Library R-5352)

The first St Patrick’s Market structure was built in the late 1830s. It was of frame construction and served as the west end’s first fire hall. In 1854, a two-storey structure with Italianate features replaced the first building. The main front of the building had a tower with market stalls behind it. This second market building was destroyed by fire in 1912.

That same year, the present-day building was constructed. City architect G.F.W. Price designed the brick building and remained St Patrick’s Market until 1929. From 1929 to 1988, the building was a chicken slaughterhouse called A Stork & Sons. The building received heritage status in 1975.

Queen Live Fresh Food Market

In 1989, the City entered a 50-year lease with a company to manage and maintain the building as a mini food market. For years, Queen Live Fresh Food Market was home to various independent fast food outlets. In 2017, the market was temporarily shut down by Toronto Public Health; however, the market did not recover and was shuttered. In late 2019, the City won a court battle to regain control of the empty market. Located downtown, there are plans to reimagine and revitalize the underutilized historic property.