Late Bloomer

In 2010, when David Miller was mayor and St. Lawrence Market’s northern cousin was a decrepit brick box, the city promised a sparkling new building to make patrons proud. They said it would cost $60 million and be ready in about four years—and Torontonians ate it up. Then came bureaucratic bungling, supply-chain snafus, design errors and other delays. But, just when the market faithful thought there would be no end to the protracted absurdity, the building is, finally, ready for its close-up. Opening in phases this spring, it comes with a cool orange exterior, a curvy green roof, a vast atrium and city courts. It will also be the permanent home of the farmers’ and antique markets, which have been squatting nearby in a tent on the Esplanade. Somehow, 10 years late and $68 million over budget, it still seems worth the wait.

See more: Inside the new St. Lawrence Market North