Barrie City Centre
BarrieIntroduction
Barrie’s City Centre, wrapped around the northwestern edge of Kempenfelt Bay, is the best example of the city’s growing diversity, boasting a variety of residents, lifestyles, and real estate, all within less than five kilometres. The neighbourhood begins at Brock and Bradford Streets and winds around the lakeshore to Berczy and Dunlop Streets. The intersection of Bayfield and Wellington marks the area’s northernmost point.
Lifestyle
With picturesque scenery and urban convenience, the City Centre marries the best of both worlds. During the daytime, stores and restaurants on well trafficked Dunlop Street are busy and bustling, and the parks along the lakeshore are teeming with cyclists and joggers, beach bums and Tai Chi-loving seniors. In the evenings, the younger crowd comes out to play in the pubs and clubs sprinkled throughout the core.
The Vibe
There’s a little something for everyone downtown, from the film geeks and theatre lovers to the fitness buffs and amateur yacht captains, so it’s no surprise that people from all over the city flock here on the weekend for some light shopping and a walk along Barrie’s scenic waterfront. It’s also no surprise that the new waterfront condos, with prime views and ultra convenient locations, are selling like hotcakes.
Meet the Neighbours
Barrie’s downtown residents are an eclectic mix of young professionals and married people, career-focused suits and busy retirees. Arty types and young nightclubbers cross paths with bankers and lawyers daily. There isn’t the same neighbourly closeness in the condo-heavy downtown core, but you’re likely to run into them at the City Hall farmer’s market on Saturdays.
In the Area
The waterfront is the neighbourhood’s biggest selling point, along with the multiple parks along the lake and the City of Barrie Marina. In addition, the downtown core has a thriving arts and culture scene, with a couple of museums and theatres. The Barrie Transit Terminal and the main branch of the Barrie Public Library are within the neighbourhood borders. Four elementary schools and two public high schools are nearby.
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Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Within the neighbourhood, your best mode of transportation is your feet—the downtown core makes for a pleasant walk. It also has great biking trails, especially around the lakeshore. Barrie’s main bus terminal, located on Maple Street, is the area’s hub for local transit, as well as for GO, Greyhound, Midland Tours, Ontario Northland, and Getaway Coach. The Allandale Waterfront GO Station is at the Lakeshore Drive and Tiffin Street intersection.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
Dunlop Street has seen a revitalization over the past few years that’s brought out a new crop of locally-owned restaurants and stores, and made the street a more inviting place. But some of the area’s seedier elements such as littering, vandalism, drugs and loitering still remain a part of the main strip.
Dollars & Sense
Barrie’s average home price falls just under the national average, and you’re likely to get more bang for your buck here than in Toronto—even the hottest real estate, the waterfront condos, are comparatively reasonable. While the downtown core has no shortage of upscale restaurants, there’s not a Starbucks to be seen—this is a Tim Horton’s stronghold.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
MacLaren Arts Centre
Housed in a renovated Carnegie library, MacLaren serves Barrie, Simcoe County, and the surrounding area. Its permanent collection contains 27,376 works of art, and the gallery has exhibitions, public art projects and special events.
more infoPainter’s Hall Bistro
With a rather unassuming facade, Painter’s Hall Bistro doesn’t do much advertising, and is one of Barrie’s best kept secrets. It’s known for its rustic atmosphere, friendly staff and fine dining at a reasonable price.
The Bank Nightclub
Designed by the same team responsible for the Hard Rock Cafe and the ACC’s Platinum Lounge, The Bank is a gorgeous club with a great view of Kempenfelt Bay from its rooftop patio, Skybank.
more infoThe Uptown Theatre
Barrie’s art house theatre, now in its second incarnation, has some serious charm. It boasts a full bar, cheap tickets, good snacks and plush recliner seats, and plays host to Barrie’s annual film festival.
more infoThe North Restaurant
Award-winning chef Marco Ormonde, whose bona fides include Buonanotte and Terra in Toronto, owns The North Restaurant on Mary Street, and he’s made it into one of Barrie’s must-gos for fine dining.
more infoThe Lazy Tulip Cafe
A highly reviewed breakfast and lunch joint, The Lazy Tulip is tucked just off Dunlop Street on Maple Avenue, and is a short walk from the lakeshore. It's the perfect place for a lazy weekend brunch.
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