Main Square (Toronto) facts for kids
Main Square is a group of four tall apartment buildings in Toronto, Canada. It's a big area, about the size of three football fields, and around 2,000 people live there. You can find it in the eastern part of the city, right where Main Street meets Danforth Avenue.
The complex is located just north of the railway lines and the Danforth GO Station. It's also just south of the Main Street subway station. The tallest building in Main Square is 32 stories high. At ground level, there's also a shopping area along Danforth Avenue and a community center run by the city.
How Main Square Was Built
Main Square was built in 1972. It was a partnership between a government group called the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and a private company. The buildings were constructed on land that used to belong to the Canadian National Railway, right next to the train tracks.
By the mid-1980s, the complex started to look a bit old and empty. This was common for many buildings built in that style back then. The outdoor areas, especially, looked plain and made of concrete. Also, the shops inside didn't have doors facing Danforth Avenue. You had to go inside the complex to reach them.
Making Main Square Better
In 1998, the government group (CMHC) sold its part of Main Square. Since then, it has been fully owned by private companies. A lot of money has been spent to make the buildings much better.
These improvements happened in different steps. They updated the outside of the buildings, the entrance areas, and the hallways. Important parts like the heating systems, windows, elevators, and roofs were also fixed or replaced. The central outdoor area and the parking garage were improved too, with new landscaping and fresh paint.
By the late 2000s, the shops and services along Danforth Avenue became lively again. Empty office or storage spaces were turned into new apartments. This helped make the open spaces around the buildings safer and more active. These updates were part of a bigger trend where the area became more modern and popular, with many new buildings being constructed.
Future Plans for Main Square
In 2006, the city of Toronto changed the rules for the area. This allowed the owner, Talisker Corporation, to build two more tall buildings in the complex. These new buildings will add 500 new apartments for rent. This plan helps more people live in an area that's easy to reach by public transport.
As part of this plan, both the old and new apartment buildings will remain rental homes. The agreement also includes continued improvements to the existing buildings. There will be new and updated common areas, like gyms or party rooms, and nicer green spaces. This development is also expected to bring important benefits to the community, agreed upon with the city.
