St. Lawrence Market is one of two major markets in Toronto (the other being Kensington Market). It is located on the southwest corner of Front and Lower Jarvis Streets. It was established in the early part of the city's history and was once home to Toronto's first permanent city hall and jail house from 1845 to 1899. It was designed by English immigrant architect Henry Bowyer Lane, who also designed Little Trinity Church in 1843, Holy Trinity Church in 1847, and expansion of Osgoode Hall in 1844. Lane incorporated his design with Georgian tradition style using white stones and red brick wall. A “cupola” was built on the top front side of the building with a clock. The first floor was formerly Police Station # 1. The south building is located at 92 Front Street East, contained by Market Street, The Esplanade, Lower Jarvis, and Front Street. Currently, it is one of the major markets in Toronto’s downtown core. Over 50 vendors sell fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses on the lower and first level. The building also has The Market Gallery, operated by City of Toronto, on the second floor and a cooking school (market kitchen) on the mezzanine floor
The illustration below shows "New Market House", which was the Toronto City Hall from 1845-1899. The yellow brick outline of the centre part of that building can still be seen today in the front facade of the current building.
In 1899, the City of Toronto decided to vacate the facility and move to a new city hall located on Queen and Bay Streets designed by E.J Lennox. However, a municipality and market commissioners decided to renovate the old city hall into a large marketplace. John William Siddall was the selected architect for this project. Siddall decided to demolish the cupola, the pediment and the side wings. The new steel truss roof was proposed to cover the entire building structure, allowing more open space with a high ceiling and more natural light.
Since 1901, the north façade and city council chambers have served as a museum for the city's archives as well as a north entrance to the South Market. A large steel and glass canopy used to connect the north and south building during the renovations in the early 20th century. This was then taken down in 1954. Renovations were also made in 1978 following public outcry over a proposal to demolish the entire building in 1971.
A newer market, known as the North Market, was built in 1803 under orders of Lieutenant Governor Peter Hunter. Destroyed by fire in 1849, it was rebuilt in 1851, replaced in 1904, and replaced again by the current building in 1968. Today the North Market is different things on different days, but its principal claims to glory are associated with the colourful Farmers' Market, the largest in Toronto, that takes place on Saturdays starting at 5 am and is truly a local institution for Torontonians, and the Sunday Antique Market, open every Sunday from 5 am to 5 pm.
Today’s South St. Lawrence Market is the result of the last renovation, which took place in 1977. Once the major renovation and changes made to this building were completed, the City of Toronto made an effort to preserve this property as city’s prominent historical piece.
On June 7, 2010, then-Mayor David Miller announced the winners of the design competition for a building to replace the existing North Market. The new building is expected to open in 2012. During the construction of the new building, the Saturday and Sunday North Market vendors will be selling from a location one block south on the Esplanade.[1]
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the South Market building, provided by Wireless Toronto.
The St. Lawrence Market is one of the two locations in Toronto that house the majority of businesses accepting the Toronto Dollar, a local currency that raises money for fighting poverty.[2]
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Opened in 1979, the Market Gallery, located in the South Market, offers changing exhibitions dedicated to Toronto's history, art and culture. The gallery space was formerly the 19th century city council chamber from 1845 to 1899.[3]
The St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood is featured extensively in the novel Old City Hall, by Robert Rotenberg.
| Preceded by none |
Toronto City Hall 1845–1899 |
Succeeded by Old City Hall (Toronto) |