The district's name is derived from the area's role in the garment industry. In the early 20th century, numerous textile and fabric factories and warehouses were located here due to the proximity and easy access to shipping and rail lines. Garment enterprise owners commissioned the construction of multi-storey buildings to house their manufacturing operations. Once 80% of the city's Jewish community lived in the immediate area resulting in the establishment of numerous Jewish delis, tailors, bookstores, cinemas, Yiddish theatres and synagogues. Many from this community worked in the garment industry. After World War II, much of that Jewish community moved further north, and the factories and warehouses began to be converted into other uses. Since the late 1980s, there has been extensive revitalization the stretch of the Fashion District along Front Street between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street with disused railway land being reclaimed for high-end condominium, townhouse and retail development.
Today
Today, many former garment warehouses house clothing outlets while others have been refurbished into artists’ studios and galleries, publishers, software and tech design offices and condos and lofts. The area is occupied by a mix of artists, musicians, designers, professionals and students.
Future development
Seeing a spillover in condo developments from the adjacent Entertainment District, the Fashion District is starting to see an increase in the number of residential and multi-use developments. Pemberton Group will develop 543 Richmond Street West on the corner of Portland. While details of the scope of the project have not yet been revealed, an early drawing from the city shows that the multi-phase project will have 476 units and 15 storeys per phase. A podium terrace will hold outdoor amenities which are yet to be determined. Toronto architecture firm Quadrangle will be responsible for the build. One of the Fashion Districts many historical buildings will be demolished and replaced with condo developments. 73 Bathurst Street which occupies the block from Stuart to King along the east side of Bathurst Street will be torn down and developed by Timbercreek Developments, removing some of the neighbourhoods favourite small businesses including Banknote, and Grand and Clover Cocktail Co. It will still be a couple of years before this development begins but it is coming quickly just like many others.
