The highly anticipated St. Lawrence Market North Building officially opened its doors for its first farmers’ market on Saturday, and here’s a look inside the futuristic, $128 million redevelopment.
Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Chris Moise joined crowds of morning shoppers who were invited to explore the building’s ground-floor, open-concept Market Hall for the very first time.
The multi-use, five-storey building was designed by RSHP, and features a glass and orange metal exterior, a skylit atrium, blue-painted steel walkways, and orange pedestrian bridges.
The brand new building — which has been under construction since 2016 — brought back the 200-year-old market indoors for the first time in nearly a decade. While it was revitalized, the Saturday market continued to operate from a tent behind the St. Lawrence Market Complex’s brick south building on The Esplanade.
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“Torontonians are looking for ways to shop local and Buy Canadian as we come together to support local businesses. It was great to visit the beloved Saturday Farmer’s Market in its new location – the St. Lawrence Market North building,” Mayor Chow said.
“Now more than ever, it’s important to support local farmers and small businesses which are the backbone of our economy. I encourage everyone to come check out the incredible produce, meats, groceries, and products available at the market.”
According to the City, the North Market building was “underutilized and did not maximize the full potential of the St. Lawrence Market Complex.” Throughout the years, the price of the redevelopment increased by more than $50 million and eventually totalled $128 million.
The redevelopment, the City says, improves the “utility of the St. Lawrence Market Complex for vendors, visitors and shoppers, while contributing to the economic development of the area.”
The multi-use building will be open seven days a week, year-round, to host local markets, events, and trade shows. Since the beginning of March, the building’s fifth floor has been occupied by provincial offences courtrooms and other counter services that previously called Old City Hall home.
The original St. Lawrence Market South building, which is open six days a week, will continue operating with its current vendors. St. Lawrence Market North’s Saturday markets will operate weekly from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A larger community celebration for the building’s opening is planned for May 10.
St. Lawrence Market North is located at 92 Front St. East.
