Perhaps one of the most vibrant and energetic areas to live or walk around in Toronto is undoubtedly Queen Street West. With the Ontario College of Art and Design & the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) a mere block away, you have it all here. And did I forget Chinatown for great food is only a 5 minute walk.
So with this in mind, it was not a surprise that Queen Street West was a drawing vortex for artists and fashion graduates of all facets of life and religion. For most of the 1970's and especially the 1980s this neighbourhood area had students and designers as renters, while also encompassing a vibrant music scene in many of the local clubs. Visitors to Toronto started to compare this area to many hot spots in London (and I do not mean Ontario) and in New York.
However as time went on the artistic community was driven out of the area further west to Spadina Avenue and Trinity Bellwoods Park, somewhat close by. With Queen Street West being close to the city’s Garment District and thus inexpensive fabrics, the youth of Toronto created an iconic fashion scene and entourage of night clubs catered to their culture.
Most recently, this area has seen the arrival of elite fashion stores, very trendy furnishing stores, and major brand names renting retail store fronts. Today however Queen Street West is truly a one of a kind area that draws people from all residential neighbourhoods in Toronto and literally from all over North America and parts of the world.
The history of Queen Street West still to this moment in time continues to be evolve and be transformed from the presence of vibrant retail establishments, an ever-growing entertainment scene, and of course people like you that everyday make Queen Street West their home.
