St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands
St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands is a large downtown neighbourhood of about 31,000 people, next to Downtown Yonge East, Fort York-Liberty Village, Harbourfront-CityPlace and three other neighbourhoods. Most households rent. King, St Andrew and Union stations (Line 1) are in or next to it. Its main shopping street is Front St E. It stands out for its large population and how many residents walk or cycle to work. It has fewer street trees and one of the highest rates of serious traffic collisions in the city.
Neighbouring areas link to their pages. City of Toronto neighbourhood boundaries and Toronto Centreline.
Boundaries: Front St E to the north, the Don River to the east, Lake Ontario to the south and York St to the west.
01 · What’s being built
Rank by proposals →There are 30 active planning proposals in St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands, more than most neighbourhoods (14th most in Toronto). Of these, 23 are waiting for a decision and seven are under appeal. Another eight were decided recently.
Under appeal (7)
Waiting for a decision (23)
Decided recently (8)
Each proposal has its own page. All applications in progress here · Hearings and comment deadlines
City of Toronto Development Applications and Committee of Adjustment. One entry per site. Decided recently: development files submitted in the last 4 years; Committee of Adjustment decisions in the last 2 years.
Planning rules
Part of the neighbourhood is in the Union Station heritage conservation district, where changes to building exteriors need heritage approval. Parts of it are in the Corktown, Union and King major transit station areas, where minimum densities are set to bring more homes and jobs near transit.
City of Toronto Heritage Conservation Districts and Major Transit Station Areas. Each address report shows the zoning for that lot.
Noise permits
In the last 12 months, 45 noise exemption permits were issued in St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands: 36 for amplified sound at events, 6 for construction outside normal hours, 1 for large crane work, 1 for other noise and 1 for continuous concrete pours.
City of Toronto Noise Exemption Permits. A permit lets an event or a construction project make noise outside the hours the noise bylaw allows. Address pages list the permits nearby that haven’t ended yet.
02 · Safety
Rank by crime →In 2025, 635 major crimes were reported in St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands: 1,423 per 100,000 residents, 8% above the citywide rate (1,322) and the 42nd highest in Toronto. The picture is mixed. Assaults were 1,060 per 100,000, 38% above the citywide rate (768) and the 27th highest in Toronto, while car thefts were below the citywide rate. Reports fell from 733 in 2024 to 635 in 2025, mostly assaults (521 to 473) and break-ins (105 to 73).
St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands compared with Toronto · rate per 100,000 residents, 2025
| Major crime | Compared with the Toronto rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 38% higher1,060 vs 768 per 100,000 | |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 28% higher78 vs 61 per 100,000 | |
| Robberies | 23% higher96 vs 78 per 100,000 | |
| Break-ins | 14% lower164 vs 190 per 100,000 | |
| Car thefts | 89% lower25 vs 225 per 100,000 |
Major crimes reported per year, by type
Change from 2021 to 2025, by type
| Major crime | 2021 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 355 | 473 | up 33% |
| Car thefts | 36 | 11 | about halved |
| Break-ins | 150 | 73 | about halved |
| Robberies | 43 | 43 | about the same |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 22 | 35 | up 59% |
Other crimes, last 12 months
| Crime | Reported | Per 100,000 residents | Compared with other neighbourhoods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shootings and firearm discharges | 2 | 6 | About typical |
| Bicycle thefts | 148 | 473 | Higher than most |
| Thefts from vehicles | 78 | 249 | Higher than most |
Toronto Police Service: Shootings and Firearm Discharges, Bicycle Thefts and Theft From Motor Vehicle, last 12 months. Police place each incident at the nearest intersection.
Toronto Police Service neighbourhood crime rates: assaults, break-ins, car thefts, robberies and thefts over $5,000. Police place each incident at the nearest intersection. Address reports also count incidents within 500 m.
Traffic safety
Since 2021, 37 collisions in St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands killed or seriously injured someone, the 12th highest rate per resident in Toronto. 13 involved pedestrians. Most were on Lower Jarvis St and York St.
Toronto Police Service: collisions in which someone was killed or seriously injured, by year. *2026 so far. Rank by serious collisions
03 · Getting around
King, St Andrew and Union stations are in or near the neighbourhood (Line 1). GO: Union Station. Inside the neighbourhood, 52 TTC stops are served by the 504 King and 510 Spadina streetcars and the 75 Sherbourne and 65 Parliament buses, among others.
Stations in or near the neighbourhood
- King StationLine 1
- St Andrew StationLine 1
- Union StationLine 1
- Union Station GOGO Transit
Busiest bus and streetcar routes
| Route | Weekday trips each way | Trips | Delays per 1,000 trips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 504 King Streetcar | about 415 | 7.1 · high | |
| 75 Sherbourne | about 263 | 4.7 | |
| 510 Spadina Streetcar | about 249 | 4.7 | |
| 65 Parliament | about 229 | 3.6 | |
| 114 Queens Quay East | about 226 | 3.0 |
TTC and GO schedules for a typical weekday. Trips each way: trips past the route’s busiest stop in the neighbourhood. Each route links to its TTC page (schedule and map).
Delays: incidents the TTC logged as delaying service, Sep 2025 to Sep 2026, per 1,000 scheduled trips. “High” marks the 30 routes (of 200) with the most delays per trip; a typical route has 4.0.
Parking tickets and EV charging
Busiest streets
| Street | Vehicles a day | 85% drive at or under | Counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gardiner E / Lower Jarvis Ramp (id 12341011) | 36,300 | — | Aug 2022 |
| Lower Jarvis St Lakeshore W / Gardiner to Wilton St | 23,600 | 40 km/h | Apr 2025 |
| Lake Shore Blvd E Lower Jarvis Gardiner Ramp to Cherry St | 17,200 | 68 km/h | Sep 2021 |
| Parliament St Queens Quay E to Lower Jarvis Gardiner Ramp | 13,200 | 44 km/h | Sep 2021 |
Fastest residential streets
| Street | Vehicles a day | 85% drive at or under | Counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper St Downes St to Lake Shore Blvd E | 803 | 46 km/h | May 2017 |
| Frederick St | 1,500 | 35 km/h | May 2023 |
| George St S Albert Franck Pl to Wilton St | 957 | 29 km/h | Mar 2020 |
City of Toronto Traffic Volumes, counts since 2016; each street shows its highest count. “Residential” means streets the City classes as local roads. Counts are taken on different streets in different years, so they aren’t ranked.
04 · Schools and child care
Four elementary schools are inside the neighbourhood. Of the three with Grade 6 results, Island Public/Natural Science School and Market Lane Junior and Senior Public School beat the Toronto average in reading; Island Public/Natural Science School beat the Toronto average in math (Toronto: 87% reading, 54% math). There are ten licensed child care centres with 565 spaces, all in the $10-a-day program, and three EarlyON centres.
Schools in the neighbourhood
Elementary schools
Share of Grade 6 students meeting the provincial standard. Toronto: 87% reading, 54% math.
Ontario Ministry of Education (2026) and EQAO. Nearest the neighbourhood’s centre first. The red tick on each bar is the Toronto average. The nearest school may not be the assigned one; check with the board.
Licensed child care (10)
- Kidz Kare Daycare $10 a day
15 York St · toddlers, preschool, school-age96 spaces - Distillery District Early Learning Centre $10 a day
8 Distillery Lane · toddlers, preschool85 spaces - George Brown College - Mary's Place Child Care Centre $10 a day
185 Queens Quay E · infants, toddlers, preschool75 spaces - St. Lawrence Co-Operative Day Care School Age (230 The Esplanade) $10 a day
230 The Esplanade · preschool, kindergarten74 spaces - Aquabella Child Care $10 a day
75 Edgewater Dr · infants, toddlers, preschool62 spaces
EarlyON centres (3)
- Enagb South EarlyON433 Cherry St
- Market Lane EarlyON Child and Family Centre246 The Esplanade
- St. Lawrence EarlyON Child and Family Centre173 Front St E
Free drop-in programs for children up to 6 and their parents or caregivers. Sources: City of Toronto Licensed Child Care Centres (each centre links to its page in the City’s child care finder) and EarlyON Child and Family Centres.
05 · Parks, trees and recreation
Rank by parks →St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands has 23 parks, nine of them with playgrounds: more for its population than most neighbourhoods (42nd most per resident in Toronto). It has two public pools and one wading pool. Its streets have 2,815 City-owned trees, mostly honey locust, elm and green ash: fewer per resident than most neighbourhoods (18th fewest per resident in Toronto). The City has seven road or sidewalk projects planned or under way here.
How much of the neighbourhood is park
| Largest parks and open spaces | Hectares |
|---|---|
| Toronto Islands - Hanlan's Point Park | 48.0 |
| Toronto Islands - Centre Island Park | 41.5 |
| Toronto Islands - Island Park | 30.7 |
| Toronto Islands | 27.9 |
| Toronto Islands - Ward's Island Park | 27.3 |
City of Toronto Green Spaces: parks, natural areas and conservation land. Hydro corridors, golf courses, cemeteries and road verges aren’t counted.
Park projects
- Toronto Island Park Projects
Following City Council’s adoption of the Toronto Island Park Plan in July 2024, the City is moving forward with projects to enhance and protect the park over time, guided by the plan’s long-term vision.In progress - David Crombie Park Revitalization
The City is improving David Crombie Park. Learn more about the project and how you can get involved.In progress - Ferry Fleet Replacement
The City is improving access to Toronto Island Park by beginning to replace its ferry fleet with electric vessels, building supporting electrical infrastructure at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and reviewing all existing operational practices.In progress - New Park at 50 Queens Quay East
A new park is coming to 50 Queens Quay E. near One Yonge Community Recreation Centre, as part of the Lower Yonge Precinct Plan.In progress
City of Toronto Park and Recreation Facility Projects.
| Amenity | St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands | Typical | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parks and play | |||
| Parks | 23 | 8 | 120 Queens Quay E Park, 50 Queens Quay East Park, Aitken Place Park and 20 more |
| Playgrounds | 9 | 5 | Aitken Place Park, Corktown Common, David Crombie Park and 6 more |
| Community centres | 3 | 1 | East Bayfront Community Recreation Centre, One Yonge Community Recreation Centre, St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre |
| City programs at schools | 1 | — | St. Michael Catholic School |
| Splash pads | 2 | 0 | 50 Queens Quay East Park, Toronto Islands-Ward's Island Park |
| Swimming | |||
| Public pools | 2 | 1 | One Yonge Community Recreation Centre, St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre |
| Wading pools | 1 | 0 | David Crombie Park |
| Beaches | 4 | 0 | Toronto Islands-Centre Island Park, Toronto Islands-Hanlan's Point Park, Toronto Islands-Ward's Island Park and 1 more |
| Courts and fitness | |||
| Tennis | 0 | 1 | None inside St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands. Nearest: Moss Park, just over the border in Moss Park. |
| Pickleball | 2 | 0 | 50 Queens Quay East Park, Toronto Islands-Ward's Island Park |
| Basketball | 1 | 1 | David Crombie Park |
| Outdoor fitness equipment | 0 | 0 | None inside St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands. Nearest: Stadium Road Park, just over the border in Fort York-Liberty Village. |
| Facilities | |||
| Public washrooms | 18 | 2 | Corktown Common, East Bayfront Community Recreation Centre and 4 more · 11 of 18 open today |
City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Facilities, Tennis Courts, Washroom Facilities and Street Tree Data; Toronto Public Health. Typical: the median Toronto neighbourhood. Open today: as reported by the City this morning. City programs at schools run in a school’s gym or pool and aren’t counted as community centres.
06 · Homes and renovation
Rank by permits →In the last 12 months, 406 building permits were issued, more than most neighbourhoods (16th most in Toronto). In all, permits have added 11,147 homes since 2021, more than almost anywhere in Toronto (2nd most in Toronto).
Per year. *2026 so far. New homes are added by permits, including suites and new buildings.
Green roofs and solar
Since 2010, 37 building permits in St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands included a green roof, the 4th most in Toronto. None has included a solar hot water system since 2009.
City of Toronto building permits for green roofs (required on larger new buildings since 2010) and solar hot water systems.
07 · Renting and housing
Rents aren’t published for single neighbourhoods. Across central Toronto (the old City of Toronto, before the 1998 amalgamation), a two-bedroom in a purpose-built rental averaged $2,457 a month in October 2025, $402 more than the Toronto average. More than half of households here (60%) rent, and 39% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. There are 15 apartment buildings in the City’s RentSafe program, averaging 88 out of 100. There are 23 homes registered as short-term rentals, about typical for a Toronto neighbourhood. There are no licensed rooming houses and one shelter or respite site. 1,243 affordable homes are approved, proposed or being built here, more than almost anywhere in Toronto (4th most in Toronto); the largest project is 333 Lake Shore Blvd E, with 324 affordable homes.
Average rents, October 2025
CMHC Rental Market Survey. CMHC doesn’t publish rents for single neighbourhoods; these cover central Toronto (the old City of Toronto, before the 1998 amalgamation). Vacancy 3.2% (Toronto 2.8%). Averages include long-term tenants; new listings usually cost more.
08 · People
Rank by income →In 2021, 31,285 people lived here. The median household income was $87,000, the 65th highest in Toronto (about the same as the typical neighbourhood’s $85,000). Among workers, 37% walk or cycle to work, more than six times the typical neighbourhood; 22% commute by transit, about the same as the typical neighbourhood.
31,285 residents in 2021. Most common first languages other than English and French: Mandarin 5.7%, Spanish 2.8%, Cantonese 2.8%. 2021 Census, from the City’s Neighbourhood Profiles.
09 · Shops and services
There are 375 licensed storefront businesses, mostly take-out and food shops and restaurants and bars. The biggest cluster is on Front St E. In the last 90 days, 12 businesses got new licences; the newest is Hair TV Studio, a salon at 145 Front St E.
Licensed storefronts by type
- Take-out and food shops171
- Restaurants and bars149
- Salons and personal services24
- Laundromats and dry cleaners8
- Entertainment venues7
Streets with the most
- Front St E93
- Front St W58
- Bay St27
- The Esplanade27
New licences, last 90 days
City business licences, storefront types only. We show operating names, never personal names.
Business improvement areas
Financial District, Old Town Toronto, The Waterfront and Toronto Downtown West are Business Improvement Areas in St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands. A BIA is run by local businesses, who pay a levy for street events, cleaning, decorations and promotion.
City of Toronto Business Improvement Areas.
10 · Heritage, flood risk and local contacts
St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands has 83 properties on the Heritage Register, more than most neighbourhoods (26th most in Toronto). About 18% of addresses are in a TRCA flood or shoreline hazard area.
- Heritage
- 83 properties on the Heritage Register (41 designated, 42 listed), 26th most in Toronto.
- Flood and shoreline
- 18.3% of its addresses are in a TRCA flood or shoreline hazard area. 18.4% are in TRCA’s regulated area, where some work needs a TRCA permit.
- Lead in tap water
- In M5A, 4 of 134 home tests were above Ontario’s limit (3.0%; Toronto 2.0%). None of 15 home tests in M5J were above Ontario’s limit.
- Councillor
- Ausma Malik · Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York profile
What residents report to 311
In the last 12 months, 9,093 service requests came from postal areas M5A and M5J, which cover most of St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands. The most common:
| Property standards | 516 | |
| Illegal dumping | 493 | |
| Amplified music or instrument noise | 396 | |
| Injured wildlife | 353 | |
| Posters on City property | 292 | |
| Potholes and road damage | 182 |
City of Toronto 311 Service Requests, October 2025 to October 2026. 311 gives only the first three characters of the postal code, which don’t line up with neighbourhoods, so this isn’t ranked on the leaderboard.
Every figure, with ranks
| Measure | St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands | Typical | Rank (1st = most) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building and change | |||
| Building permits, last 12 months | 406 | 184 | 16th |
| Active planning proposals | 30 | 11 | 14th |
| Garden and laneway suites since 2021 | 0 | 26 | 147th |
| New homes since 2021 | 11,147 | 797 | 2nd |
| Short-term rentals | 23 | 21 | 72nd |
| Heritage properties | 83 | 5 | 26th |
| Apartment buildings (RentSafe) | 15 | 18 | 89th |
| Safety, 2025, per 100,000 residents | |||
| Major crime, total | 1,423 | 1,107 | 42nd |
| Assaults | 1,060 | 637 | 27th |
| Break-ins | 164 | 173 | 86th |
| Car thefts | 25 | 193 | 157th |
| Robberies | 96 | 70 | 39th |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 78 | 46 | 32nd |
| Other crimes, last 12 months, per 100,000 residents | |||
| Shootings and firearm discharges | 6 | 6 | 80th |
| Bicycle thefts | 473 | 31 | 4th |
| Thefts from vehicles | 249 | 212 | 58th |
| People, 2021 Census | |||
| Residents | 31,285 | 16,813 | 3rd |
| Median household income | $87,000 | $85,000 | 65th |
| Households that rent | 60.3% | 45.5% | 30th |
| Renters paying 30%+ on housing | 39.1% | 39.0% | 79th |
| Commute by transit | 22.0% | 25.8% | 115th |
| Walk or cycle to work | 37.1% | 5.3% | 7th |
| Aged 65 and over | 12.8% | 16.3% | 134th |
| Parks, trees and streets | |||
| Serious collisions since 2021, per 10,000 residents | 11.8 | 5.1 | 12th |
| Parks per 10,000 residents | 7.4 | 5.0 | 42nd |
| Playgrounds per 1,000 children | 3.9 | 2.1 | 16th |
| Street trees per 1,000 residents | 90 | 228 | 141st |
| Affordable homes coming | 1,243 | 19 | 4th |
| Road and sidewalk projects | 7 | 10 | 100th |
| Park and open space, share of land | 21.2% | 7.8% | 19th |
| Park and open space, hectares per 1,000 residents | 7.6 | 1.6 | 12th |
| Parking tickets per 1,000 residents, 2025 | 1,431 | 410 | 18th |
| Green roof permits since 2010 | 37 | 4 | 4th |
Source: Building permits, City of Toronto; planning applications; Short Term Rentals Registration; Heritage Register; RentSafeTO. Toronto Police Service, Neighbourhood Crime Rates. Toronto Police Service: Shootings and Firearm Discharges, Bicycle Thefts, Theft From Motor Vehicle. Statistics Canada, 2021 Census, via City of Toronto Neighbourhood Profiles. City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Facilities, Street Tree Data, Green Spaces, parking tickets, green roof permits, road and sidewalk programs, Affordable Housing Pipeline; Toronto Police Service serious collisions. Typical: the middle of Toronto’s 158 neighbourhoods; half have more, half have less. Rank: 1st is the most or highest of 158. · Download CSV
Major crime by year
| Crimes reported | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 355 | 393 | 439 | 521 | 473 |
| Break-ins | 150 | 127 | 95 | 105 | 73 |
| Car thefts | 36 | 42 | 46 | 37 | 11 |
| Robberies | 43 | 32 | 41 | 35 | 43 |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 22 | 23 | 31 | 35 | 35 |
| Total | 606 | 617 | 652 | 733 | 635 |
| 2025 rate per 100,000 | St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands | Citywide | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 1,060 | 768 | 27th |
| Break-ins | 164 | 190 | 86th |
| Car thefts | 25 | 225 | 157th |
| Robberies | 96 | 78 | 39th |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 78 | 61 | 32nd |
| Total | 1,423 | 1,322 | 42nd |
Rank: 1st is the most of 158.
| Crimes reported | 2025 rate per 100,000 residents | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major crime | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands | Citywide | Rank (1st = most) |
| Assaults | 355 | 393 | 439 | 521 | 473 | 1,060 | 768 | 27th |
| Break-ins | 150 | 127 | 95 | 105 | 73 | 164 | 190 | 86th |
| Car thefts | 36 | 42 | 46 | 37 | 11 | 25 | 225 | 157th |
| Robberies | 43 | 32 | 41 | 35 | 43 | 96 | 78 | 39th |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 22 | 23 | 31 | 35 | 35 | 78 | 61 | 32nd |
| Total | 606 | 617 | 652 | 733 | 635 | 1,423 | 1,322 | 42nd |
Source: Toronto Police Service, Neighbourhood Crime Rates.
Permits and new homes by year
| Year | Building permits | New homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 142 | 0 |
| 2022 | 202 | 2,969 |
| 2023 | 193 | 1,197 |
| 2024 | 233 | 0 |
| 2025 | 347 | 3,118 |
| 2026 | 346 | 3,863 |
Source: City of Toronto Building Permits (active and cleared). 2026 so far.
Average rents, October 2025
| Unit | Central Toronto | A year earlier | Toronto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,526 | $1,492 | $1,499 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,914 | $1,842 | $1,763 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,457 | $2,317 | $2,055 |
| 3 bedrooms or more | $3,195 | $3,194 | $2,361 |
Source: CMHC Rental Market Survey, purpose-built rental apartments. Covers central Toronto (the old City of Toronto, before the 1998 amalgamation); CMHC doesn’t publish rents for single neighbourhoods.
Planning proposals (38)
Under appeal (7)
| Address | Proposal | Type | Key date | City file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Yonge St | 95-storey building | Site plan and rezoning | Submitted Oct 2022 | 22 221636 STE 10 OZ |
| 19 Queens Quay E | 13-storey building · 136 homes | Rezoning | Submitted Apr 2021 | 21 143747 STE 10 OZ |
| 20 Front St W | 40-storey building with shops | Site plan and rezoning | Submitted Aug 2023 | 23 186068 STE 13 SA |
| 298 King St E | 42-storey building · 449 homes and shops | Site plan | Submitted Aug 2023 | 23 188669 STE 13 SA |
| 307 Lake Shore Blvd E | 49-storey building · 430 homes | Rezoning | Submitted May 2022 | 22 141954 STE 10 OZ |
| 4 Gilead Pl | 20-storey building · 297 homes | Rezoning | Submitted Apr 2026 | 26 141014 STE 13 OZ |
| 65 George St | 17-storey building | Rezoning | Submitted Apr 2017 | 17 147290 STE 28 OZ |
Waiting for a decision (23)
| Address | Proposal | Type | Key date | City file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sumach St | Rezoning | Rezoning | Submitted Sep 2026 | 26 239852 STE 13 OZ |
| 1 Sunlight Park Rd | Site plan | Site plan | Submitted Dec 2022 | 22 241809 STE 14 SA |
| 125R Mill St | 45-storey building with shops | Site plan | Submitted Apr 2021 | 21 137958 STE 10 SA |
| 141 Bay St | 408 homes | Site plan | Submitted May 2020 | 20 144978 STE 10 SA |
| 15 York St | Split the lot | Consent | Submitted Dec 2025 | B0005/26TEY |
| 153 Eastern Ave | 997 homes | Site plan | Submitted Mar 2023 | 23 126078 STE 13 SA |
| 178 Queens Quay E | Three towers, up to 22 storeys with shops | Rezoning | Submitted Jan 2022 | 22 106787 STE 10 OZ |
| 187 Bay St | 64-storey building with shops | Site plan | Submitted Aug 2021 | 21 204526 STE 13 SA |
| 2 A Sumach St | Two towers, up to 59 storeys · 1,284 homes and shops | Site plan | Submitted Oct 2025 | 25 242829 STE 13 SA |
| 2 Cooper St | Site plan | Site plan | Submitted Sep 2019 | 19 218252 STE 10 SA |
Decided recently (8)
| Address | Proposal | Type | Key date | City file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Front St W | Two towers, up to 49 storeys | Rezoning | Submitted Jun 2025 | 25 183122 STE 10 OZ |
| 261 Queens Quay E | 18-storey building | Condominium | Submitted Feb 2023 | 23 113763 STE 10 CD |
| 31 Parliament St | 427 homes | Consent and condominium | Decided Jul 2026 | B0058/25TEY |
| 31 R Parliament St | Consent | Consent | Decided Jul 2026 | B0001/26TEY |
| 324 Cherry St | 53-storey building | Rezoning | Submitted Jun 2025 | 25 175195 STE 10 OZ |
| 33 Parliament St | Split the lot | Consent | Decided Jul 2025 | B0019/25TEY |
| 55 Mill St | Consent | Consent | Decided Jul 2026 | B0004/26TEY |
| 7 Yonge St | 958 homes | Condominium | Submitted Mar 2025 | 25 125180 STE 10 CD |
Source: City of Toronto Development Applications and Committee of Adjustment. One row per site. · Download CSV
Apartment buildings (15)
| Building | RentSafe score | Units | Built | Open fire violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Henry Lane Ter | 76 | 196 | 1979 | 0 |
| 55 The Esplanade | 80 | 166 | 1983 | 0 |
| 140 The Esplanade | 81 | 102 | 1993 | 3 |
| 15 Scadding Ave | 84 | 251 | 1982 | 0 |
| 49 Henry Lane Ter | 84 | 15 | 1980 | 0 |
| 33 Hahn Pl | 84 | 135 | 1980 | 0 |
| 5 Hahn Pl | 87 | 32 | 1980 | — |
| 110 The Esplanade | 91 | 205 | 1993 | 6 |
| 1 Church St | 92 | 115 | 1996 | 0 |
| 171 Front St E | 93 | 61 | 1982 | 0 |
| 85 The Esplanade | 93 | 128 | 1997 | 0 |
| 31 Princess St | 94 | 82 | 1994 | 0 |
| 176 The Esplanade | 95 | 220 | 2006 | 1 |
| 20 Palace St | 96 | 108 | — | 2 |
| 75 Cooperage St | 98 | 145 | 2016 | 0 |
Source: RentSafeTO Apartment Building Evaluation; Residential Fire Inspection Results.
Schools (4)
| School | Grades | Board | Students | Gr. 6 reading | Gr. 6 math | Gr. 10 literacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Alternative School | JK-6 | TDSB | 115 | — | — | — |
| St Michael Catholic School | JK-8 | TCDSB | 150 | 83% | 36% | — |
| Island Public/Natural Science School | JK-6 | TDSB | 165 | 100% | 88% | — |
| Market Lane Junior and Senior Public School | JK-8 | TDSB | 370 | 94% | 50% | — |
Source: Ontario Ministry of Education (2026) and EQAO: share of students meeting the provincial standard. Toronto: 87% Grade 6 reading, 54% math, 84% Grade 10 literacy.
Child care centres (10)
| Centre | Address | Ages | Spaces | $10 a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidz Kare Daycare | 15 York St | toddlers, preschool, school-age | 96 | Yes |
| Distillery District Early Learning Centre | 8 Distillery Lane | toddlers, preschool | 85 | Yes |
| George Brown College - Mary's Place Child Care Centre | 185 Queens Quay E | infants, toddlers, preschool | 75 | Yes |
| St. Lawrence Co-Operative Day Care School Age (230 The Esplanade) | 230 The Esplanade | preschool, kindergarten | 74 | Yes |
| Aquabella Child Care | 75 Edgewater Dr | infants, toddlers, preschool | 62 | Yes |
| St. Lawrence Co-Operative Day Care (2 Princess Street) | 2 Princess St | toddlers, preschool | 49 | Yes |
| Pinnacle Jr YMCA | 12 Yonge St | infants, toddlers, preschool | 44 | Yes |
| St. Lawrence Infant Toddler Centre (4 Market Street) | 4 Market St | infants, toddlers | 40 | Yes |
| Waterfront Montessori Childrens Centre | 18 Wyandot Ave | preschool | 24 | Yes |
| Gibraltar Point Day Nursery | 30 Centre Island Pk | preschool | 16 | Yes |
Source: City of Toronto Licensed Child Care Centres.
Busiest bus and streetcar routes
| Route | Type | Trips each way, weekday |
|---|---|---|
| 504 King | Streetcar | 415 |
| 75 Sherbourne | Bus | 263 |
| 510 Spadina | Streetcar | 249 |
| 65 Parliament | Bus | 229 |
| 114 Queens Quay East | Bus | 226 |
| 121 Esplanade-River | Bus | 121 |
Source: TTC and GO Transit schedules for a typical weekday. Trips each way: weekday trips past the route’s busiest stop in the neighbourhood.
Parks and recreation
| Amenity | St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands | Typical | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parks and play | |||
| Parks | 23 | 8 | 120 Queens Quay E Park, 50 Queens Quay East Park, Aitken Place Park and 20 more |
| Playgrounds | 9 | 5 | Aitken Place Park, Corktown Common, David Crombie Park and 6 more |
| Community centres | 3 | 1 | East Bayfront Community Recreation Centre, One Yonge Community Recreation Centre, St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre |
| City programs at schools | 1 | — | St. Michael Catholic School |
| Splash pads | 2 | 0 | 50 Queens Quay East Park, Toronto Islands-Ward's Island Park |
| Swimming | |||
| Public pools | 2 | 1 | One Yonge Community Recreation Centre, St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre |
| Wading pools | 1 | 0 | David Crombie Park |
| Beaches | 4 | 0 | Toronto Islands-Centre Island Park, Toronto Islands-Hanlan's Point Park, Toronto Islands-Ward's Island Park and 1 more |
| Courts and fitness | |||
| Tennis | 0 | 1 | None inside St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands. Nearest: Moss Park, just over the border in Moss Park. |
| Pickleball | 2 | 0 | 50 Queens Quay East Park, Toronto Islands-Ward's Island Park |
| Basketball | 1 | 1 | David Crombie Park |
| Outdoor fitness equipment | 0 | 0 | None inside St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands. Nearest: Stadium Road Park, just over the border in Fort York-Liberty Village. |
| Facilities | |||
| Public washrooms | 18 | 2 | Corktown Common, East Bayfront Community Recreation Centre and 4 more · 11 of 18 open today |
Source: City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Facilities, Tennis Courts and Washroom Facilities. Typical neighbourhood: the median across Toronto.
Affordable housing and rental demolitions
| Address | Stage | Affordable homes |
|---|---|---|
| 333 Lake Shore Blvd E | Application under review | 324 |
| 153 Eastern Ave | Application under review | 256 |
| 259 Lake Shore Blvd E | Rezoning approved | 204 |
| 259 Lake Shore Blvd E | Rezoning approved | 143 |
| 259 Lake Shore Blvd E | Rezoning approved | 106 |
| 259 Lake Shore Blvd E | Rezoning approved | 98 |
| 351 Lake Shore Blvd E | Rezoning approved | 67 |
| 351 Lake Shore Blvd E | Rezoning approved | 45 |
Source: City of Toronto Affordable Housing Pipeline (projects not yet occupied) and Rental Housing Demolition applications approved since 2023.
Street work (7)
| Work | Where | When |
|---|---|---|
| Road resurfacing | The Esplanade, Yonge St to Scott St | 2025 (carried over) |
| Laneway rebuild | Farquhars Lane, The Esplanade to Front St E | 2025 (carried over) |
| Road resurfacing | Church St, The Esplanade to Front St E | 2025 (carried over) |
| Road resurfacing | The Esplanade, Scott St to Church St | 2025 (carried over) |
| Road resurfacing | Church St, Conger Coal Lane to The Esplanade | 2025 (carried over) |
| Road resurfacing | Princess St, The Esplanade to 50m North of The Esplanade | 2025 (carried over) |
| Road resurfacing | Princess St, 50m North of The Esplanade to Front St E | Q4 2024 to Q3 2025 (carried over) |
Source: City of Toronto Road Reconstruction, Road Resurfacing and Sidewalk Construction programs. Dates are the City’s plan and can move.
New storefront businesses, last 90 days (12)
| Business | Type | Address | Licence issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair TV Studio | Salon or personal services | 145 Front St E | Nov 3, 2026 |
| Touche | Salon or personal services | 455 Front St E | Oct 30, 2026 |
| Arvento Pizza | Take-out or food shop | 25 York St | Oct 28, 2026 |
| Le Meridien Toronto Pinnacle Hotel | Entertainment venue | 1 Yonge St | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Billy's Bodega | Restaurant or bar | 55 Mill St | Oct 21, 2026 |
| Indigo Park | Parking lot | 141 Bay St | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Epic On the Go | Take-out or food shop | 81 Bay St | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Pur & Simple | Restaurant or bar | 1 York St | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Pizzaville | Restaurant or bar | 190 Queens Quay E | Oct 3, 2026 |
| D'luxury Spa & Lounge | Salon or personal services | 16 Lower Jarvis St | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Dear Saigon | Take-out or food shop | 65 Front St W | Sep 1, 2026 |
| Divino | Take-out or food shop | 23 Merchants' Wharf | Aug 26, 2026 |
Source: City of Toronto Business Licences and Permits, storefront types. Operating names only.
Shootings, bicycle thefts and thefts from vehicles
Other crimes, last 12 months
| Crime | Reported | Per 100,000 residents | Compared with other neighbourhoods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shootings and firearm discharges | 2 | 6 | About typical |
| Bicycle thefts | 148 | 473 | Higher than most |
| Thefts from vehicles | 78 | 249 | Higher than most |
Toronto Police Service: Shootings and Firearm Discharges, Bicycle Thefts and Theft From Motor Vehicle, last 12 months. Police place each incident at the nearest intersection.
Serious collisions by year
| Year | Collisions |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Source: Toronto Police Service: collisions in which someone was killed or seriously injured. 2026 so far.
Stations, streets, parking and EV charging
| Station | Service | Lines | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| King Station | TTC subway | 1 | Nearby |
| St Andrew Station | TTC subway | 1 | Nearby |
| Union Station | TTC subway | 1 | Nearby |
| Union Station GO | GO train | BR, KI, LE, LW, MI, ST | Inside |
Parking tickets and EV charging
Busiest streets
| Street | Vehicles a day | 85% drive at or under | Counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gardiner E / Lower Jarvis Ramp (id 12341011) | 36,300 | — | Aug 2022 |
| Lower Jarvis St Lakeshore W / Gardiner to Wilton St | 23,600 | 40 km/h | Apr 2025 |
| Lake Shore Blvd E Lower Jarvis Gardiner Ramp to Cherry St | 17,200 | 68 km/h | Sep 2021 |
| Parliament St Queens Quay E to Lower Jarvis Gardiner Ramp | 13,200 | 44 km/h | Sep 2021 |
Fastest residential streets
| Street | Vehicles a day | 85% drive at or under | Counted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper St Downes St to Lake Shore Blvd E | 803 | 46 km/h | May 2017 |
| Frederick St | 1,500 | 35 km/h | May 2023 |
| George St S Albert Franck Pl to Wilton St | 957 | 29 km/h | Mar 2020 |
City of Toronto Traffic Volumes, counts since 2016; each street shows its highest count. “Residential” means streets the City classes as local roads. Counts are taken on different streets in different years, so they aren’t ranked.
Park space and park projects
How much of the neighbourhood is park
| Largest parks and open spaces | Hectares |
|---|---|
| Toronto Islands - Hanlan's Point Park | 48.0 |
| Toronto Islands - Centre Island Park | 41.5 |
| Toronto Islands - Island Park | 30.7 |
| Toronto Islands | 27.9 |
| Toronto Islands - Ward's Island Park | 27.3 |
City of Toronto Green Spaces: parks, natural areas and conservation land. Hydro corridors, golf courses, cemeteries and road verges aren’t counted.
Park projects
- Toronto Island Park Projects
Following City Council’s adoption of the Toronto Island Park Plan in July 2024, the City is moving forward with projects to enhance and protect the park over time, guided by the plan’s long-term vision.In progress - David Crombie Park Revitalization
The City is improving David Crombie Park. Learn more about the project and how you can get involved.In progress - Ferry Fleet Replacement
The City is improving access to Toronto Island Park by beginning to replace its ferry fleet with electric vessels, building supporting electrical infrastructure at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and reviewing all existing operational practices.In progress - New Park at 50 Queens Quay East
A new park is coming to 50 Queens Quay E. near One Yonge Community Recreation Centre, as part of the Lower Yonge Precinct Plan.In progress
City of Toronto Park and Recreation Facility Projects.
Green roofs and solar
Green roofs and solar
Since 2010, 37 building permits in St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands included a green roof, the 4th most in Toronto. None has included a solar hot water system since 2009.
City of Toronto building permits for green roofs (required on larger new buildings since 2010) and solar hot water systems.
Noise permits
Noise permits
In the last 12 months, 45 noise exemption permits were issued in St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands: 36 for amplified sound at events, 6 for construction outside normal hours, 1 for large crane work, 1 for other noise and 1 for continuous concrete pours.
City of Toronto Noise Exemption Permits. A permit lets an event or a construction project make noise outside the hours the noise bylaw allows. Address pages list the permits nearby that haven’t ended yet.
Business improvement area
Business improvement areas
Financial District, Old Town Toronto, The Waterfront and Toronto Downtown West are Business Improvement Areas in St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands. A BIA is run by local businesses, who pay a levy for street events, cleaning, decorations and promotion.
City of Toronto Business Improvement Areas.
Heritage, flood risk and local contacts
- Heritage
- 83 properties on the Heritage Register (41 designated, 42 listed), 26th most in Toronto.
- Flood and shoreline
- 18.3% of its addresses are in a TRCA flood or shoreline hazard area. 18.4% are in TRCA’s regulated area, where some work needs a TRCA permit.
- Lead in tap water
- In M5A, 4 of 134 home tests were above Ontario’s limit (3.0%; Toronto 2.0%). None of 15 home tests in M5J were above Ontario’s limit.
- Councillor
- Ausma Malik · Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York profile
Source: City of Toronto Heritage Register; Toronto and Region Conservation Authority; City of Toronto lead testing; City of Toronto elected officials.
What residents report to 311
What residents report to 311
In the last 12 months, 9,093 service requests came from postal areas M5A and M5J, which cover most of St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands. The most common:
| Property standards | 516 | |
| Illegal dumping | 493 | |
| Amplified music or instrument noise | 396 | |
| Injured wildlife | 353 | |
| Posters on City property | 292 | |
| Potholes and road damage | 182 |
City of Toronto 311 Service Requests, October 2025 to October 2026. 311 gives only the first three characters of the postal code, which don’t line up with neighbourhoods, so this isn’t ranked on the leaderboard.
One email every Wednesday with what changed in St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands: new proposals, demolitions, heritage listings, serious collisions and more. Add up to 4 more neighbourhoods. Free, and no address needed.
More: Neighbourhood leaderboard · Compare St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands side by side