Corktown, located east of Old Town Toronto and just north of the Distillery District and the proposed West Don Lands project, remains a refuge for rents lower than most of what downtown can offer, plus amenities and services for families, and is beginning to attract a crowd of young professionals who are keen on the central location and the somewhat more affordable living in Corktown element.
In Corktown, old industrial buildings have been renovated to form studio lofts, apartment-style condominiums and professional offices. We do have to mention that although an up-and-coming neighbourhood, the commercial aspect isn’t up to par with, say, the Distillery District or Cabbagetown for that matter, and several abandoned storefronts have left parts of the community in dire need of revitalization.
Living in Corktown, Toronto
With little in the way of shopping and entertainment at your doorstep, Corktown can tend to be more on the quiet side versus many of the Toronto neighbourhood communities. That said, residents are not far from the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood and the very popular St. Lawrence Market, which was voted one of the best in the world a few years back by National Geographic.
When it comes to living in Corktown, pet owners can take the dog out for a run at Orphan’s Green dog park, and families head to Sackville Park, right in the middle of the neighbourhood. Because of the lack of commercial (most of it is around Queen East), the streets of Corktown aren’t busy, with residents heading to greener pastures for their entertainment needs.
With warehouse conversions and loft living and working commonplace, Corktown residents now seek out King and Parliament as the go-to area to browse, shop or dine, and with close proximity to downtown, city nightlife is there whenever the heart desires.
Corktown Real Estate & Homes
Corktown is one of the more affordable downtown Toronto neighbourhoods. It has recently become popular with young professionals, who find this location extremely convenient to Toronto’s downtown business and entertainment districts.
Corktown also contains some of the oldest Victorian row-houses in Toronto. Some of these houses date back to the 1850’s and 1860’s. These former workers’ cottages can be found on the quaint narrow laneways that are discreetly tucked away off Corktown’s main streets.
You’ll find many streets lined with charming older rowhouses while singles and couples are drawn to loft living, and cottages of Corktown. A neighbourhood in transition, you’ll find older, original property owners along with younger folks looking for a handyman-special to call their home. While educated, many are people just starting out or first time home buyers, so incomes are lower, and ambition is high so finding the perfect gut-job in Corktown just may give you the home of your dreams.
Live-work studios are in fashion, breathing new life into the tired commercial buildings and storefronts. Young residents and professionals are drawn to converted condo lofts and offices that have revitalized the entire neighbourhood and invited new business. Living and working at home create a buzz as the streets and local coffee shops become the destination among residents taking a break from the workday.
Home (Power + Adelaide) – 48 Power Street
Even condo developers have taken notice of Corktown – one of our favourites pre-construction opportunities in Corktown is Home at Power & Adelaide, a new condo development by Great Gulf and Hullmark currently under construction at 48 Power Street. The development is scheduled for completion in 2020 with suites ranging in size from 484 to 1312 square feet. There are still some good condos available here, so those looking to get into Corktown through a pre-construction condo should have this on their radar.
Excellent shopping, fine restaurants, cafes, art galleries, boutiques, and artisanal goods, can all be found within walking distance from Corktown. Proximity to both the St. Lawrence Market and Toronto’s historic Distillery District make this a highly coveted neighbourhood that will only continue to improve.