35 Church Street & 80 Front Street East

At the corner of Front Street East and Church Street, Market Square has stood as a landmark of the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood since 1983. The 9-storey scale is appropriate to the neighbourhood and affords residents a community unlike most other residential buildings in the vibrant core of Toronto.

The two buildings comprise 119 condominium units at 35 Church Street and 187 at 80 Front Street East. Additionally, a sprawling Metro grocery store, 5 movie cinemas, a large restaurant and small amenities populate the ground floor, and a car wash offering car detailing sits in the underground parking levels. The buildings are a short walk from the World-renowned St. Lawrence Market (often described as one of the 10 best markets on the planet), the many boutiques, shops and restaurants of the neighbourhood, as well as those of the nearby Distillery District and the downtown core.

Units in Market Square have been consistently renovated over the years as this highly sought-after complex attracts people wishing to improve and invest in their homes, with the idea of spending many happy years there. Amenities included in the reasonable monthly condo fees are an indoor salt-water rooftop pool with iconic views of downtown and outdoor lounge area, barbecues, gym and fitness rooms, sauna, party room, a park-like landscaped outdoor courtyard, 24-hour concierge and renovated public areas. The management does an unbeatable job of maintaining the buildings and using the funds from the capital reserve fund responsibly.

For all these reasons, and more, Market Square is considered by its residents to be the ideal place to call home in the oldest part of the city, with walk and transit scores of 100%. It is consistently a sought-after address by buyers looking for a great place to live. Units usually sell at or over asking prices, as demand for these is rightfully high.

Designed by architect Jerome Markson, the award-winning complex playfully resemble a block of Haussmannian buildings in Paris, with its regular rhythm of brick chimney expressions between tall glazed and masonry bays along the streetscape, modulating the bulk of its exterior. At the stepped-back penthouse level, there is also a suggestion of nearby industrial loft buildings in the articulation of the windows.

According to Canadian Architect magazine, it “has been recognized and awarded for both its architecture and the exemplary quality of its urban design. Its sensitive siting and shrewd use of the courtyard typology allow the building to be relatively low-rise yet high-density, and its split massing constructs a visual and pedestrian axis with St. James Cathedral one block to the north.”

It’s just steps from the King streetcar, King and Union subway stations, GO transit and Union train and bus stations, and a moment’s drive to access the Garner Expressway. One can walk to many urban parks, the Financial District, the Entertainment District, and connect to much of downtown through the underground PATH network, again within a couple of blocks. The waterfront is just a 10-minute walk, beyond cultural centres such as the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and Meridian Hall.

For families, there are several nearby schools, and the suites within the building are consistently some of the largest in downtown, ranging from 1 bedroom units just under 800 SF to 3,000 SF penthouses with 3 bedrooms plus den. Average units are around 1,300-1,500 SF with generous living areas and 2 large bedrooms.

There are several social activities organized by the resident community of the complex, and the concierge and building management staff are extremely helpful with day-to-day items, and know most of the residents by name, since the average resident owns their unit for nearly 20 years! Such stability is important in a condo community, as it assures a stable condo board and a lack of the instability noted in several newer buildings with smaller suites that are often rented out (or used for short-term rentals).