2020 – Looking north towards 238 Queen St W, which was originally St Patrick’s Market
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 downtown 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 market, was named after the ward and was established for those living in the western part of the city. 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
Circa 1885 – Shopkeepers and others in front of the second St Patrick’s Market, once located at 238 Queen St W. The market was established for those living in the western part of the city (Toronto Public Library R-265)
The first St Patrick’s Market structure was built in 1836/37. It was of frame construction and also served as the west end’s first fire hall.
In 1852, a two-storey stone structure designed by architect Thomas Young replaced the first building. The front of the Italianate-style building featured a tower, and the market stalls were in the rear. This second market building was destroyed by fire in 1912.
That same year, the present-day building was constructed. City architect George FW Price designed the brick building, and it 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 from the city 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.
St Patrick’s Market Photos
1845 – Looking north towards the first St Patrick’s Market building on Queen St W, between McCaul St and John St. The structure was built in 1836/37 and replaced by the second building in 1852. Notice St George the Martyr Church in the background (Toronto Public Library R-5352)Circa 1885 – The second St Patrick’s Market, once located at 238 Queen St W. The market was established for those living in the western part of the city (Toronto Public Library R-265)Circa 1890 – The second St Patrick’s Market at 238 Queen St W was built in 1852 and designed by architect Thomas Young in the Italianate style (Toronto Public Library R-5354)Circa 1912 – Looking northeast toward roadwork being done in front of the second St Patrick’s Market on Queen St W between McCaul St and John St. It was destroyed by fire in 1912 and replaced that same year by the present-day building (Toronto Public Library R-6840)1980 – Originally built for the St Patrick’s Market, A Stork and Sons Ltd occupied the building at 238 Queen St W from 1929 until 1988 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 70, Item 22) 2020 – Looking north towards 238 Queen St W, which was originally St Patrick’s Market. For nearly three decades, the building was Queen Live Fresh Food Market. It closed in 2017 and has since been vacant2020 – The entrance to Queen Live Fresh Food Market once at 238 Queen St W. The building was constructed in 1912 and designed by city architect George FW Price1982 – The building at 238 Queen St W was constructed in 1912 for the third St Patrick’s Market. It remained the market until 1929 when A Stork and Sons Ltd, a chicken butcher, took over the building through to 1988 (Toronto Public Library LOCHIST-SA-001)1980s – Looking northwest towards A Stork and Sons Ltd, once in the St Patrick’s Market building on Queen St W (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 24, Item 11) Between 1980 and 1998 – Looking south towards a parking lot and the back of the former St Patrick’s Market building. Today the parking lot is a green space called St Patrick’s Market Square. Notice the Wesley Building and a portion of the CN Tower in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds, Series 1465, File 154, Item 22) 2020 – Looking southeast from Renfrew Pl towards the rear of the former St Patrick’s Market1980s – Looking north from Queen St W towards A Stork and Sons Ltd, which occupied the former St Patrick’s Market building from 1929 until 1988 (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 24, Item 10) 1972 – For nearly six decades, the former St Patrick’s Market building at 238 Queen St W was occupied by A Stork and Sons Ltd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 124, File2, ID 131)2021 – Looking north towards 238 Queen St W in downtown Toronto. Built in 1912, the structure has been home to St Patrick’s Market, A Stork and Sons Ltd, Queen Live Fresh Food Market and is currently vacant1980s – Looking north towards St Patrick’s Market Square from Renfrew Pl. The parkette is located directly behind the former St Patrick’s Market building (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 24, Item 7) 1910 – Goads Map showing the location of the St Patrick’s Market. Notice William St is now called St Patrick St, and Richmond St W was formerly known as Hospital St (Toronto Public Library)
