Waterfront BIA

Toronto’s waterfront retail market is evolving as new businesses, experiential concepts, transit investment and major eastern waterfront development create new commercial opportunities.

Harbourfront’s growing attractions and year-round programming strengthen foot traffic and support new leasing opportunities.

Toronto Waterfront BIA highlights new experiential retail, floating saunas, parks and winter programming as the waterfront evolves into a year-round hub.

Toronto’s Waterfront BIA is driving a retail revival as new businesses, residential towers, and public initiatives reshape the city’s fast-growing shoreline.

The report contains an overview of the planning context and best practices relevant to the area, a built-form review of existing commercial spaces, research summarizing the current retail conditions, and the results of surveys conducted with waterfront business owners, residents, and visitors.

The rapidly changing downtown Toronto waterfront is aiming to attract visitors as well as a unique younger local demographic.

Experts have concerns over the health of downtown retail in various cities in Canada as the downtown workforce dynamic changes following the pandemic.