The Kensington Market Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Study Area is a unique neighbourhood in Downtown Toronto that includes the Kensington Market commercial area and surrounding residential neighbourhood. The area has seen several waves of immigration from the late 19th century to the present, with each generation contributing to the overall character and dynamism of Kensington Market.
In accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act and guided by the City of Toronto’s Policies, Procedures and Terms of Reference for Heritage Conservation Districts, the Kensington Market HCD Study included research, a built form survey, analysis and evaluation to determine if the Study Area warrants designation as an HCD. The HCD Study recommended proceeding to develop an HCD Plan for the Study Area, and the Toronto Preservation Board endorsed these recommendations.
On January 1, 2023, several key changes to the Ontario Heritage Act came into effect, including amendments to Section 41 that establish new criteria under which properties within a Heritage Conservation District must be evaluated. At least 25 per cent of the properties within the District boundary must satisfy two or more of the nine criteria listed in O.Reg 9/06 s.3.
Community consultation and the development of the HCD Plan for the Kensington Market District are ongoing. City staff are reaching out to Treaty and Territorial Partners and working with an Indigenous Engagement consultant to connect with urban Indigenous community members who visit, live, or work within Kensington Market, with the purpose of identifying opportunities to reflect the priorities of Indigenous communities in the Plan’s policies. Meeting summaries will be posted online as they become available.
There will be additional opportunities to connect with the project team as the Plan continues to be advanced in 2023 and 2024.