WELCOME TO THE FASHION DISTRICT

HISTORY

The Fashion District derived its name from the area’s role in the garment industry or “rag trade”. In the early 20th century, numerous textile and fabric factories and warehouses were located here due to the easy access to shipping and rail lines. Garment enterprise owners commissioned the construction of multi-storey buildings for their manufacturing operations but starting in the 1970’s, these factories and warehouses entered a period of decline as manufacturing activity migrated to the suburbs or other countries. Zoning regulations specified industrial use only and property owners, not permitted to lease to non-industrial tenants and facing high vacancy rates, began demolishing buildings to reduce realty taxes. In 1996, a zoning change designated these districts as “regeneration areas” to encourage re-investment, create housing opportunities and offer creative spaces for new businesses.

OVERVIEW

The Fashion District is one of the fastest growing neighbourhoods in all of North America. In 1996, there were 945 people residing in the wider King-Spadina area. This number has increased at least twenty-fold and is expected to double by 2025. Today, the stylish neighbourhood is known for its multitude of fashion retailers, high-end lifestyle shops, trendy restaurants and cafes. Residents include a mixture of artists, musicians, designers, professionals and students.

HOMES

The Fashion District is still home to a handful of former garment warehouses and has been compared to the Soho neighbourhood in New York. Most of the factories have now been refurbished into artists’ studios and galleries, publishers, software and tech design offices, condos and lofts. The Fashion District boasts one of the best selection of condominium buildings in the city, many of these designed as soft lofts and two-storey lofts. The authentic hard loft buildings in the neighbourhood are characterized by their red brick exterior, large windows and architectural accents, such as concrete floors, exposed wood beams and exposed brick. There are also a handful of historically designated row houses on Draper Street that date back to the 1880s.