The Wellington Market food hall has opened at The Well in downtown Toronto, which is expected to significantly increase the vibrancy and overall foot traffic in the new 7.6-acre mixed-use complex. The Well opened to the public in November of 2023, and the Wellington Market is considered to be a key component to its ongoing success.
Currently the first phase of the Wellington Market is open to the public, having about 35 tenants. Included is a small grocery market with fresh fruit and various other convenience items, as well as sit-down and vendor stalls featuring a range of food and beverage offerings.
When the market is completed, which includes a yet-to-be-revealed second phase, its capacity will be 3,400 people in a 70,000 square foot area that is fully liquor-licensed. The fully accessible environment will have 900 seats and will house over 50 vendors.
“Creating the ideal mix of merchants resulted from a thoughtful, curated, and strategic process informed by extensive culinary research and outreach beyond Toronto’s borders,” said Oliver Harrison, SVP of Leasing and Tenant Experience at RioCan REIT. “This collection of food options cannot be found under one roof anywhere in the city. It pays tribute to the city’s rich culinary history and offers an inspiring balance of new and well-known staples to its food scene.”
The Pier Bar, located at the heart of the Wellington Market, references the shores of Lake Ontario that once came up to Front Street where The Well is located. The Pier has a signature cocktail called The Well 76, referencing the site’s 7.6 acre size.
Other new tenants in the Wellington Market include Vancouver-based Japadog, which opened its first Toronto location at the Wellington Market selling Japadog’s popular Japanese-inspired hot dog. Rosie’s Burgers was founded by three brothers in 2020 with a range of food, and La Cubana is a Cuban food concept also featuring cocktails.
GPA Architects designed the space, which was intended to be a “European-inspired” and “authentic” market experience with energy and excitement. Reclaimed wood from the original site is used throughout the Wellington Market, and oil drums were repurposed to create lighting fixtures.
The Wellington Market is expected to significantly increase the vibrancy of the retail component of The Well. The retail podium was unveiled to the public about six months ago, and since then some have commented about a lack of vibrancy while revelling in the dramatic architecture. The Wellington Market was carefully designed with numerous entrances, including a series of folding glass walls that open to create seamless transitions to the lower ground level of The Well’s Retail Walk, creating a seasonally open-air experience.
A variety of events, workshop, meetings and culinary experiences will be held at the Wellington Market throughout the year, including in its event venue which spans about 5,000 square feet.
The Well will serve the about 11,000 residents and employees who will live and work on-site, as well as about 80,000 residents living within walking distance — many of those order take-out food weekly and represent an important potential consumer base for The Well and the Wellington Market. About 22,000 daily visitors are expected at The Well.
Twelve new restaurants have opened on the perimeter of The Well, some featuring outdoor patios which are already busy as the warmer summer months are finally upon us. Several of the restaurants line Wellington Street while at the top of the 8 Spadina Tower is Area, a restaurant on the 38th floor with stunning views of the city. On Front Street is the first Canadian location for New York City-based Prince Street Pizza.
The Well is a joint venture between RioCan REIT and Allied Properties REIT. Bordering Front, Spadina and Wellington Streets, it is a mixture of retail, commercial and residential space in downtown Toronto that includes 1.2 million square feet of office space and 320,000 square feet of retail and food service. It also has 1,700 residential units spread throughout six purpose-built rental and condominium buildings, plus one office building connected to a three-level Retail Walk.
Additional photos of the Wellington Market at The Well in Toronto:
