WELCOME TO CORKTOWN

HISTORY

Corktown was originally settled by working class immigrants in the early 1800’s. Many of these families came from the County of Cork in Ireland, which explains how this neighbourhood became known as Corktown. Most Corktown residents found employment at one of the local breweries or brickyards. These families were very poor and could not afford the lofty pew rents at nearby St. James Cathedral. This led to the building of their own Little Trinity Church in 1843. Little Trinity Church is still standing today at 417 King Street East. The Trinity Schoolhouse on Trinity Street, just south of Little Trinity Church was built in 1848 and was Toronto’s first free school.

OVERVIEW

Corktown has recently become popular with young professionals, who find this location extremely convenient to Toronto’s downtown business and entertainment districts. Residents enjoy the luxury of being located within walking distance of the St. Lawrence Market and historic Distillery District. Corktown is a forward-thinking neighbourhood continuing to grow at a rapid pace. Emphasis has been placed on design and quality of life, which includes parks and playgrounds, street art, improvements to transit, better bike trails, roads and widened pedestrian sidewalks.

HOMES

Corktown contains some of the oldest Victorian row houses in Toronto, dating back to the 1850’s and 1860’s. These former workers’ cottages can be found on the quaint narrow lane ways that are discreetly tucked away off Corktown’s main streets. Corktown has also recently experienced a number of retrofit projects on its commercial and industrial buildings. Many of these buildings are currently being converted into live/work studios, condominium lofts and professional offices, all of which have helped to revitalize the entire neighbourhood.