How 4 GTA neighbourhoods transitioned through the years

Neighbourhoods are always in a constant state of flux – real estate developers continuously develop new communities, cities enhance public spaces and, as neighbourhoods evolve, the population begins to change over time.

Four neighbourhoods in particular – Liberty Village, Mimico, Financial District and Willowdale – have experienced pronounced transitions to date.

Liberty Village

If you asked someone to define Liberty Village today, they would likely describe its trendy restaurants, the burgeoning tech companies that have started to set up shop and the new home and condo development with architecture that pays homage to the area’s industrial past.

Before its manufacturing beginnings, however, the area was part of Garrison Common, a military fortification for Toronto (then called “Town of York”), which served as the base for the Battle of York against the Americans in 1813. It wasn’t until the 1850s, when the railway was built that Liberty Village transitioned into an industrial hub, home to factories such as Irwin Toys, John Inglis and Company and the Toronto Carpet Factory.