In this article, part of a series highlighting the neighbourhoods that Workhaus is based out of, we’re showcasing some of the highlights of Toronto’s bustling Discovery District. This neighborhood is a vibrant hub for tech, medicine, and government. It also happens to be the area our Dundas West coworking space proudly calls home. Occupying the entire 25th floor of a the newly remodeled 180 Dundas Street West office building, this space boasts a truly unique workspace experience. Here you’ll find a modern shared office with expansive South-facing views of the iconic CN Tower and Toronto City Hall, along with breathtaking Westward vistas stretching to Etobicoke and beyond. You’ll also find easy access to near limitless food, cultural experiences, and innovation opportunities.
A Rich Tapestry of History
At the heart of the district is Hospital Row, home to five esteemed research and teaching hospitals. These include Toronto General Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and SickKids. This area is also home to the Medical and Related Sciences (MaRS) Centre, one of the largest urban innovation hubs in the world.
At the south end of the district is City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square, where Chinatown was once located before it moved West to Spadina. Both the Old and New City Hall buildings are located here (on opposite sides of Bay St,), where the Toronto Municipal Government has been based since the 1800s.
To the immediate north of Toronto’s Discovery District is Queen’s Park. Established in 1860, much of this sprawling urban park is provincial land that houses the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Built in the 1880s, the Assembly building is the seat of Ontario’s provincial government. The remainder of the park, largely surrounded by the University of Toronto, consists of greenspace, pathways, statues, and monuments dedicated to an array of historical figures.
The Epicenter of Innovation
From the discovery of insulin in 1921 to the pioneering of mechanical nanosurgery one hundred years later, Toronto’s Discovery District has always been a place where breakthroughs are made. In recent years, researchers at the University of Toronto have been making strides in using quantum computing for medical research. Meanwhile, researchers and doctors at SickKids have been at the forefront of genetic research. Discovery of the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis, and the first use of the gene-editing technology CRISPR both happened here, keeping the name of the district true to form.
Elsewhere in the district you’ll find the Vector Institute, an artificial intelligence research institute partnered with University of Toronto, and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, working to bring AI applications to a range of industries. And they’re just two of many research institutes and non-profit organizations in the area!
Located at the intersection of University Ave. and College St. you’ll find the MaRS Centre, North America’s largest innovation hub. MaRS offers a suite of programs aimed at helping startups build, grow and scale up. They connect innovators to everything they need to succeed, including mentorship, PR support, market research, and an expansive community of entrepreneurs within the fields of technology, science and medicine. Wealthsimple, Borrowell, and Ritual are just a few of the success stories to emerge from the MaRS ecosystem.
Some of Toronto’s Best Known Cultural Landmarks
The heart of the district is its educational and research institutions, but it’s not all work and no play in this neighborhood! Bordering the district are some of Toronto’s best known landmarks and venues for cultural events and entertainment.
Nathan Phillips Square hosts iconic cultural festivals year-round, with a new event happening nearly every weekend through the summer. In the winter, the massive fountain at the park’s southern edge is converted to a public ice skating rink. Not far away is Toronto’s other major public square. Sankofa Square (formerly known as Yonge-Dundas Square) is sometimes referred to as the ‘Times Square of Toronto’. Situated at one of the city’s busiest intersections, there’s always something to see there. The area has hosted events as part of festivals like Luminato, Nuit Blanche, Pride and many more.
Having opened in 1920, the Ed Mirvish Theater is in a prime location and boasts a long history of critically acclaimed productions. This theater on Yonge Street is only steps from the Discovery District. Productions at the Mirvish over the next few months will include The Lion King, Moulin Rouge, and Come From Away. Just around the corner from Mirvish you’ll find Massey Hall. Built in 1894, Massey Hall has long been one of Toronto’s most iconic music and performance venues. Over the past year alone the venue has hosted performances from the likes of Sting, Bob Dylan, and Nick Cave.
Finally, the Art Gallery of Ontario is just a short walk from the Discovery district. This impressive museum is the second largest museum in Toronto, and one of the largest art museums in all of North America. If you’re in the mood for museums, you can also check-out the Textile Museum of Canada just down the block.
If you’re an arts and culture enthusiast, there are a handful of gems in the area worth checking out. Tucked away on the West side of Queen’s Park you’ll find the Art Museum of Toronto, a large gallery space at the University of Toronto that showcases a wide variety of interdisciplinary arts. Down the street City Hall offers a variety of sights to see and things to learn. The coolest without a doubt is the scale model of the City of Toronto, built in partnership with Humber College. Stop by City Hall and check it out in lobby to see the city core from above in 1:1250 scale.
Effortless Commuting
Commuting to, from, and around Toronto’s Discovery District is a breeze. Our office is conveniently located along Line 1 of the subway. Stationed just minutes from both Yonge-Dundas and St. Patrick stations, you can enjoy easy access to the entire downtown corridor and Union Station. Meanwhile, the 506 and 505 streetcar lines border the neighborhood, while the 509 Spadina is just a short walk away. And with a near-perfect walk score, getting around on foot is convenient. You can even connect to the Northern end of the PATH at Bay and Dundas.
Food for Every Taste
Directly across the street from our 180 Dundas St W office you’ll find an incredible strip of diverse fast-casual restaurants. Options include a wide array of independent restaurants like Byriani House, New Treasure Dim Sum, and Evergreen Thai (a sensational hit with our members). On the same block you’ll find chains like Rolltation and Sansotei Ramen. A few blocks further and you’ll stumble upon a hidden gem food court, Village by the Grange. This off-the-beaten path food court offers a number of culinary options from all corners of the world.
Mid range options vary from Gyubee Japanese Grill to Red Lobster. You’ll even find fine dining options such as Adega and Donatello, conveniently located along the Eastern border of the neighborhood. For added variety, a host of other options are available in the Financial District, only a short walk South by foot or transit.
Our Team’s Top Picks
Finally, don’t miss these favorites, hand picked by members of our team!
The Jack Astors on the 5th floor of the Tenor building at 10 Dundas St. East has a patio that overlooks Sankofa Square, making it the perfect place to overlook any festivities or just watch city life unfold below. A few blocks West along Dundas you’ll find the newly opened JuJu Boardgame Cafe. We bet this will be a great place for a team building event. And n your way there, don’t forget to stop by Uncle Tetsu for some world famous cheesecake!
Finally, tucked away just around the corner from our office is one of Toronto’s best hidden gems, Wah Too Seafood Restaurant. Don’t let the name fool you, while the seafood is delicious, they have lots of option on the menu! Some of their best offerings include spicy deep fried tofu, bok choy with mushrooms, and lots of classic Chinese favorites. No matter what you get, we bet you’ll enjoy it. One member of our team says she still hasn’t found a better Chinese restaurant in Toronto in the last 20 years!
Ready to Call the Discovery District Home?
We hope this has been an enlightening look at what Toronto’s Discovery District has to offer. Did we miss one of your favs? DM us on Instagram to let us know your favourite things to see and do. We’re not done yet either! Stay tuned for the next edition of this series, where we’ll walk you through North York.
Finally, if you would love to work in the neighborhood where innovation happens, why not book a tour of our Dundas Street office today.