The Bay/Wellesley/Yonge District is a vibrant area in Downtown Toronto, steps away from the green spaces at University of Toronto, world-class shopping on Bloor Street, and the excitement of Downtown Yonge. Three of our projects, The Britt, 11 Wellesley and TeaHouse are right in the middle of it, and we wanted to share a guide to Bay/Wellesley/Yonge District.

Eating & Drinking:

The Bay Wellesley Yonge neighbourhood is full of great places to eat and drink. Now that summer’s here, grab a few drinks on the patio of the Artful Dodger (10 Isabella St), a neighbourhood favourite with typical Irish Fare. For more beer options, barVolo (587 Yonge St) features a rotating roster of 30 craft beers on tap, more than 75 bottles of beer and plenty of bourbon options.

Satisfy your late night cravings at Sansotei Ramen (650 Yonge St), where noodles and broth await! If you’re into health food, Magic Oven (6 Wellesley St W) is an organic pizza place with dozens of crust and cheese options. For a unique experience, The Kathi Roll Express (692 Yonge St) features Indian street food in a cool atmosphere.

Via Vai at Burano (892 Bay St) is bringing a slice of Italian sophistication to the BWY District. Order an authentic wood-fired pizza and a glass of wine and enjoy the chic atmosphere and artwork by Sandro Martini.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-king dining experience, head to Signs (558 Yonge St). Place your meal order by using American Sign Language (don’t worry, the menu has instructions). The entire restaurant has deaf staff, and their menu boasts fresh salads, poutines and sandwiches. This is a great opportunity to brush up on your ASL or try something new!

Shopping:

The Bay Wellesley District has plenty of eclectic gift and specialty shops lining the Yonge Street strip.

Cat’s Cradle Clothing Boutique (596 Yonge St) carries colourful dresses perfect for summer weddings and has a permanent sale going on in their lower floors.

Kind Exchange (512 Yonge St) is a great place to score a retro 90s find or scour the racks for a designer dress at a fraction of retail. This store accepts gently used, fashionable clothing and its racks are always packed with unique finds.

Get craft at Curry’s Art Store (490 Yonge St), where you can find art supplies for your condo’s latest DIY project.

If you’re looking for a succulent for your new condo, or the perfect bouquet, Victoria & Julia’s Flowers (599 Yonge Street) has plenty of affordable options.

Flowers on Bay (991 Bay St) carries beautiful glass terrariums and orchids that will bring the outdoors in to your home.

Yonge Street is full of shopping options, but both Yorkville and the Eaton Centre are short 10 minute walks away.

For foodies, Maple Leaf Gardens Loblaws stocks an impressive cheese and deli selection, with a convenient LCBO and Joe Fresh upstairs!

Living:

Biking downtown isn’t easy, but both Bay and Wellesley Strets have dedicated bike lanes to help make your commute a little safer. Go for a bike or walk down Wellesley and make your way to Queen’s Park and University of Toronto.

The Central YMCA (20 Grosvenor St) is a community hub with hundreds of fitness classes and a community pool. You can even learn a new language!

Or you can catch a Broadway or comedy show at the Panasonic Theatre (651 Yonge St).

The Bay Wellesley Yonge District is a stonesthrow away from both University of Toronto and Ryerson University, making it a great location for students. In addition, the area is about a 10-minute walk to the newly-renovated Toronto Reference Library.

Transit:

The Bay Wellesley Yonge neighbourhood is next to several transportation hubs, including Wellesley Station on Line 1, The Toronto Coach terminal, Bloor Station with subway Line 2, and a couple of Bike Share Toronto stops in the area.

The area has a lot of energy on Yonge Street, but there are also many quiet green spaces nearby, in addition to the future 1.5 acre park slotted for 11 Wellesley. The diverse neighbourhood is changing, but everything you need for downtown living is right at your doorstep.