Old Town Toronto
Business Improvement Area

The Old Town Toronto Business Improvement Area is a non-profit organization whose membership includes every business and commercial property owner within the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood. We work cooperatively to improve the public realm, promote the neighbourhood and events, and support local business. The BIA boundaries extend from the East side of Yonge Street to the West side of Parliament Street, and from Lakeshore Boulevard up to just South of Queen Street.

Our mandate includes developing and implementing streetscape beautification including heritage lighting and signage, and promotional programs with a view to increasing business revenues and tourism in the area. The Old Town Toronto BIA is actively working with area residents, government agencies and consultants to enhance the quality of the environment in which we work and live. These projects are financed through a levy, which is applied to all businesses located within the geographical boundaries of the BIA.


St Lawrence Hall
1989 St Lawrence Hall

Old Town Toronto

It all began in 1793 as the Town of York and the creation of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood. People lived and worked there, traded and sold, gathered to socialize and attend church or, on occasion, to form secret alliances and plan rebellions and uprisings. Today, St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood continues to be a place where old and new coexist, where heritage buildings stand alongside modern condominiums and businesses.

You can travel back in time and explore the original 10 blocks of the city in the Town of York, wander the Victorian lanes of Corktown and discover 19th Century architecture in Queen Street East. Or take a selfie with our historic re-enactors and artisans and explore life as it was in the 1800’s. Marvel at the heritage architecture of St. Lawrence Hall, the Flatiron Building, St. James Cathedral and the Distillery factory complex.

Old Town Toronto is a place to eat whether at one of the many fine dining restaurants or relaxing with a pint at a friendly pub.  Hungry office workers and shoppers congregate at the 215 year old St. Lawrence Market to enjoy a wide array of international gourmet treats or stock up on fresh, locally grown produce. In August, the Old Town Toronto BIA’s signature festival Feast of St. Lawrence celebrates this area as a food destination with a 2-day event focused on eating local, raising funds for a food charity and healthy fun for the whole family. Lovers of the arts flock to see world class live performances of theatre, dance and music on Front Street and frequent the fine art galleries in the Distillery District. Enjoy free concerts and movies in St. James Park and lunchtime music or a performance of a Sheakespeare play in Berczy Park during the summer, all presented by the Old Town Toronto BIA.

Rebellions still occur but in the unique fine home decor and design stores of King Street East where designers defy convention and create modern innovations. It’s all part of what makes Old Town Toronto a destination for everyone.


Our Neighbourhoods

St. Lawrence Market Toronto

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St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood

Located between Yonge and Parliament Streets and Lakeshore Blvd and Queen Street, the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood is the…

Town of York

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Town of York

Before Toronto became the modern thriving metropolis it is today, it was known as the Town of York. This ten- block area that is…

King East District

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King East Design District

Home is where the heart is so why not fill your home with beauty as well as function? Interior designers and budding fashionistas…

Corktown

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Corktown

Situated East of Parliament Street between Queen Street East and Front Street, Corktown was named in honour of County Cork by the original…

Queen Street East

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Historic Queen East

Extending from Victoria Street to River Street, Queen Street East is a vibrant, multicultural area containing a wide range of…

Distillery District Toronto

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Distillery District

Located at Mill Street and Parliament Street, this pedestrian only village is entirely dedicated to the arts, culture and…


Historical Sites and Attractions

Today, Toronto’s Old Town has one of the largest concentrations of 19th century buildings in Ontario, and is a tremendous heritage resource. The Heritage Landscape and Resource Guide, developed by Citizens for the Old Town, a grassroots community organization in the Old Town, provides foundational information on sources for Old Town researchers and document the changing urban and heritage landscape of the Old Town. It also provides a Heritage Landscape Field Guide to one of the oldest parts of the city and the individual sites or buildings identified as locally, provincially or nationally significant.

Flatiron (Gooderham) Building

Address: 49 Wellington Street East

The red-brick Gooderham Building (commonly referred to as the “Flatiron Building”) is a historic landmark of Toronto, Ontario, Canada located at 49 Wellington Street East. On the eastern edge of the city’s Financial District (east of Yonge Street), it is in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood wedged between Front Street and Wellington Street, where they join up to form a triangular intersection. Completed in 1892, it was an early example of a prominent “Flatiron” building. Other “Flatiron” examples are the English-American Building in Atlanta, completed in 1897, and the Fuller Building in New York City, completed in 1902. The Gooderham Building is the focal point of one of Toronto’s most iconic vistas: looking west down Front Street towards the building’s prominent rounded corner, framed on the sides by the heritage commercial blocks along Front Street, and with the skyscrapers of the Financial District towering in the background. The CN Tower is also visible from certain angles behind Brookfield Place. This vista frequently appears in imagery of the city.

Flatiron building toronto

Volunteer BIA Board

Board of Directors (2022-2026)

Chair
C’est What?

Marketing & Promotions Steering Committee

Vice Chair
Adelaide Chiropractic and Wellness Centre

Treasurer
Buckareff Properties

Events Steering Committee

Director
York Heritage Properties

Director
Old Spaghetti Factory

Director
Everyday Gourmet

Director
Imperial Rug Galleries

Director
Allied Reit

Director


Steering Committees

Below is a list of the Steering Committees within the Old Town Toronto BIA. Click on each committee to find out more information.

The Events Steering Committee includes all event items.

Current Projects:
Feast of St. Lawrence
Music in Old Town TO
I Heart Market Street
History Comes Alive
Cavalcade of Lights
Bard in Old Town TO
King East Design District Event (KEDD)
Berczy Beats
Old Town TO Pumpkin Parade

Current Committee Members:
Julie Buckareff – Buckareff Properties
George Milbrandt – C’est What?
Winnie Schroder – Omni King Edward Hotel
Graham Hnatiw – Old Spaghetti Factory
Marian Berinzon
Sara Spector – Everyday Gourmet
Denais Peluch – Canadian Stage
Samantha Wiles – St. Lawrence Market
SLNA Representative

Want to join the committee? Email Robyn to get involved.

The Marketing and Promotions Steering Committee includes all marketing, promotions, branding and advertising items.

Current Projects:
Old Town Toronto Website: www.oldtowntoronto.ca
Newsletters
Heritage booklets 
Direct Mail flyer 
Maps
Walking guides, info kiosks 
Transit shelter ad
Old Town Toronto Brand Refresh  
Social media

Current Committee Members:
George Milbrandt – C’est What?
Samantha Wiles – St. Lawrence Market
Winnie Schroder – Omni King Edward Hotel 
Sara Spector – Everyday Gourmet
Liana Sanders – Young People’s Theatre 
Marian Berenzon – 1665637 Ontario

Want to join the committee? Email Robyn to get involved.

The Streetscape and Development Steering Committee includes capital improvements, streetscape design, and development issues in the area.

Current Projects:
Street improvements on Wellington, Sherbourne, Richmond, Adelaide
Wayfinding signage, street art, gateways
Front St. Promenade Plan – to include Scott Street, Wellington Street, Market Street
North Market redevelopment 
Heritage Lighting and Interpretation programs
1st Parliament Site development
Cycle tracks

For a full breakdown of projects happening in the neighbourhood please visit the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association page.

Check out a map of all the developments currently happening in Toronto here.

Current Committee Members:
George Milbrandt – C’est What?
Michael Cruickshank – York Heritage Properties
Graham Hnatiw – Old Spaghetti Factory 
Julie Buckareff – Buckareff Properties
John Rennicks – Adelaide Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
Armen Tootikian – Imperial Rug
Jane Clark – Allied Reit 
Kelly Wilson – Concert Properties
Marian Berinzon – 1665637 Ontario  
Tom Davidson – City Councillor’s Office
Sara Spector – Everyday Gourmet
Deena Mistry – Allied Properties
John Kiru – TABIA
David Crawford – SLNA
Stewart Linton – SLNA
Suzanne Kavanagh – SLNA
Ausma Malik – Councillor
Eddie Larusic – Chris Moise councillor’s office
Kasia Grobel – BIA Office

Want to join the committee? Email Stephen to get involved.

The Park Streeing Committee includes all parks initiatives including design, programming and maintenance.

Current Projects:
Revitalization of St. James Park
Revitalization of David Crombie Park

Current Committee Members:
Julie Buckareff – Buckareff Properties (Chair)
John Rennicks – Adelaide Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
George Milbrandt – C’est What?
Nancy Mallet – St. James Cathedral
Friends of Berczy Park Representative 
Friends of St. James Park Representative
Tom Davidson – Ausma Malik City Councillor’s Office 
Park People Representative 
Andrew Carlton Smith – The Vintage Conservatory
Nancy Chater – City of Toronto
Stewart Linton – SLNA
Suzanne Kavanagh – SLNA
David Crawford – SLNA
Eddie Larusic – Chris Moise City Councillor’s Office 
Kasia Grobel – BIA Office
Mary McDonald – resident 

Want to join the committee? Email Stephen to get involved.

The Member Services Steering Committee includes all streetscape maintenance and safety issues, social initiatives, member liaison, services, and outreach.

Current Projects:
Community outreach
Partnerships with commercial and residential organizations
Streetscape maintenance and safety issues
Flowers and trees
Medians and sidewalks
Victorian and hydro pole, sidewalk, garbage bin cleanliness and upkeep
Graffiti removal
Street furniture, banner upkeep
A frame removal
Tree lighting and holiday lighting program
Newsletter
Website

Current Committee Members:
Julie Buckareff – Buckareff Properties 
John Rennicks – Adelaide Chiropractic and Wellness Centre 
Jane Clarke – Allied Reit
George Milbrandt – C’est What?
Marian Berinzon – 1665637 Ontario
John Kiru – TABIA

Want to join the committee? Email Robyn to get involved.

The King East Design District (KEDD) Committee focusses specifically on branding, events and promotions in the area. Their goal is to bring visibility to the neighbourhood.

Current Projects:
KEDD event
KEDD Website: www.kingeastdesigndistrict.com 
KEDD branding opportunities
Networking events

Current Committee Members:
Margaret Macdonald – Sub-Zero Wolf
Eleanora Caldato – Mangia & Bevi 
Fraser Greenberg – Relative Space 
Armen Tootikian – Imperial Rug Galleries 
Linda Leatherdale – Cambria
Marian Berinzon – 1665637 Ontario
Liliana Siggillino – ItalDESIGN 


BIA Staff

Executive Director
alsmith@oldtowntoronto.ca
416-410-9242

Director of Marketing, Events & Members Services
robynposner@oldtowntoronto.ca
416-861-1793

Director of Operations & Special Projects
stephenm@oldtowntoronto.ca
416-410-9242

Urban Planner
markvanelsberg@oldtowntoronto.ca

Streetscape & Events Supervisor
kevinkelly@oldtowntoronto.ca

General email: info@oldtowntoronto.ca


BIA Calendar

Board of Directors Meetings 2024

  • Wednesday, February 14th, 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 8th, 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, September 24th or Wednesday, September 25th, 2 p.m. (date to be confirmed)
  • AGM – will take place in the last half of November (date to be confirmed) 

To view events happening in the neighbourhood visit our Events page.


BIA Resources

Looking for more information?

Check out our most recent BIA newsletter here: Spring/Summer 2018

Find out more about the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA).

Old Town Reports


Community Partners

The Old Town Toronto BIA works with many community organisations in the area. Below is a list of some of our partners.


Awards

  • Green Toronto Award 2009 – Tree Watering Program
  • OBIAA Green Award 2009 – Watering Cart Program
  • Heritage Toronto Award 2010 – Heritage Building Lighting Program
  • OBIAA Smart Growth 2010 – Heritage Building Lighting Program
  • TABIA Paul Oberman Heritage Award 2012 – 1812 Legacy Program
  • National Awards of Landscape Excellence’s Green for Life Community Award 2013 – St. James Park Rejuvenation
  • TABIA Streetscape Award 2014 – The Esplanade Streetscape

Contact Info

Old Town Toronto BIA
258 Adelaide Street East
Suite 403
Toronto, ON  M5A 1N1

General email: info@oldtowntoronto.ca

Mon-Fri: 8:30am – 5:00pm