St. Lawrence is a neighbourhood located in downtown that was a former industrial area and is bounded by Yonge, Front, and Parliament Streets, and the Canadian National railway embankment. The Esplanade off Yonge St., lined with restaurants, cafés and hotels runs through the middle of the area. In previous times, the area was sometimes referred to as 'St. Lawrence Ward' or more often today as 'St. Lawrence Market', synonymous with the large retail vendor market which is the neighbourhood's focal point. The area is the site of a large city-sponsored housing project of the 1970s, which revitalized an old 'brownfields' area.

Some of the most interesting architecture in the city can be found in St. Lawrence, one notable landmark is the Flatiron building, known for its distinct narrow, wedge shape where Wellington St. merges with Front. Built in 1892, it was the first of this type of building constructed in North America. If viewed from the east, the wedge can be seen in the foreground with the financial skyscrapers and the CN tower rising in the background.

While much of the old industrial buildings along Front Street east of Jarvis have been demolished for new apartments, several old industrial buildings remain, including old meat-packing plants from the 1800s. Several have been converted into lofts or commercial space.
Front Street is lined on both sides with restaurants. At the intersection of Front and Yonge are two performing arts houses, the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Toronto's "centennial" project and the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.

St. Lawrence Market comprises three historic buildings in downtown Toronto that house an antique market, food market and other public space. Food & Wine magazine has called St. Lawrence Market one of the world's top 25 markets - for gosh sake, the Pope bought jam here!

Don't miss back bacon on a bun at Carousel Bakery - fill up and then some for 3 bucks.

For those of you with money to spare, a St. Lawrence Market walking tour costs $25 and lasts two hours. The tour is full of interesting tidbits and led by a knowledgeable guide.