Unique, vibrant neighbourhood featuring both historic and modern architecture in Downtown Toronto
If you can believe it, Liberty Village was once the site of Toronto’s Central Prison. After serving out their prison sentence, freed prisoners could step out into the Village for their first taste of “Liberty”; hence the name “Liberty Village”. It was also home to the Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women, a highly controversial facility that was shut down in 1969 following allegations of serious mistreatment of prisoners including; torture, and drug and medical experimentation.
Liberty Village was also very active in the war effort. In the early 1900s a factory built by the Russel Motorcar Company was used to manufacture fuses for bomb shells to be used in World War I. The Toronto Carpet Factory converted their looms to produce blankets and coats during both World Wars. This factory was converted for commercial use in the 1980s but much of the architecture has been preserved. What was once The Irwin Toy Factory was converted into the trendy Toy Factory Lofts in 2004, becoming one of the first residential developments in the village. The neighbourhood has even developed steadily since then and is now home to trendy young professionals and retirees alike.
Overall the demographic in Liberty Village is on the younger side. This condo dense area is home predominantly to young professionals and families with small children; but the community feel of the neighbourhood draws in people of all ages. There are plenty of options for maintaining a healthy lifestyle including a Goodlife Fitness, F45 Training, Delta Train, Pure Yoga, and more. There are also several vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the area.
This trendy neighbourhood is always bustling with people going about their day, shopping at local stores, meeting friends for lunch, riding their bikes or going for a jog. Every Sunday there is a local farmers market that runs from 10am-2pm in Summer through the Fall. This neighbourhood is ideal for those who are seeking an urban community feel and want to be close to all the action that downtown Toronto has to offer.
Liberty Village is home to several highly rated restaurants including Aloette Liberty Village, the more casual sister restaurant of Alo, which is dedicated entirely to takeout to be enjoyed on nearby covered tables or at home.
For brunch, head over to local favourite Mildred’s Temple Kitchen and splurge on their fluffy buttermilk pancakes, grilled cheese, and decadent caesars.
For cocktails and oysters, check out Black Sheep and head up to the third floor patio in the warmer months for brunch.
There are plenty of options for grocery stores in the area including Organic Garage, often considered the Ontario-based version of Whole Foods, dedicated to affordable healthy and organic grocery options.
For a unique work out or even a fun date idea, sign up for a lesson at Joe Rockhead’s Indoor Rock Climbing facility, available to beginners and experts alike. After your lesson, grab a drink on one of the neighbourhoods many patios including Williams Landing, Brazen Head, and Local Public Eatery.
There are several shops in the area for home decor and furniture, like West Elm and EQ3. For handmade soaps and bathroom products, check out Demo Soap where all of the products are vegan, kosher, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable.
Enjoy the fresh air, and an art installation, at Liberty Village Park. This is a great place to set up a blanket and indulge in takeout from one of the local restaurants or cafes. Liberty Village is close walking distance to the CNE where you can attend the Ex carnival hosted every summer; go on rides, play games to win prizes, binge on carnival snacks, and watch live music. If you’re interested in museums, head over to MZTV Museum of Television which focuses on the history of television and its technology. If you’re more into sports, pick up a ticket for Allan A. Lamport Stadium where you can watch Toronto’s rugby team play.
Although this area may not be the most popular choice for families with children, there are a number of schools in the surrounding area. This list of schools includes a few alternative learning schools where they focus on hands on and self-paced learning.
Public
Private and Catholic
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