St. Lawrence Station

Intersection: Jarvis St. and The Esplanade
Construction Stage: One
2014 Density (est.): 546
Nearby Landmarks: St. Lawrence Market, St. Lawrence Hall, St. James Cathedral, The Flatiron Building
TTC Connections: 75+ Sherbourne

St. Lawrence station is located in the heart of the St. Lawrence neighbourhood at Jarvis and The Esplanade, beside Toronto landmark St. Lawrence Market. The 75 Sherbourne bus connects the station with Sherbourne Station on the Bloor-Danforth line via Sherbourne St.

The St. Lawrence neighbourhood is a diverse mix of old and new, containing some of the oldest buildings in the city along Front, as well as newer buildings along the Esplanade. It is home to a number of festivals and events, including Woofstock in June and Buskerfest in August. Tours consistantly operate in and around the neighbourhood. The area around the station is both incredibly dense, similar to Bay Station, and also a healthy mix of residential and business, with approximately 2/3 of the density being comprised of employment. The station can also draw riders beyond simply commuters, with St. Lawrence Market being a significant regional draw for buying fresh meat and produce.

Despite the age of the neighbourhood, redevelopment is occurring where possible, but it is questionable how much space exists beyond what is planned. Market Wharf condominiums will occupy the parking lot seen in Google Maps between Jarvis and Market street, while buildings such as The Berczy are replacing less important buildings in the area. While there is no doubt some more possibility for some infill and redevelopment where possible, it appears as though opportunities are going to be low.

Despite the minimal number of redevelopment opportunities, the density levels of the station are already five and a half times what the TTC recommends for a successful station. Few stations in the current system have these levels of density. It is clear that St. Lawrence would be a very highly used station.


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© 2010 Phil Orr & Andrew Perry