Dupont: Toronto’s Newest Design District Is Also It’s Oldest

Toronto is a city of neighbourhoods and it’s also very much a city of districts: Fashion, Distillery, Textile, Design, Entertainment, Financial, Discvovery, Garden, and Theatre.  But when it comes to design there might be multiples. The Junction is full-fledged design district with more than just shops and galleries along Dundas W, it always has a high density of artists living in it. Countless store fronts that have been converted into living and studio space. Peeking out above frosted or curtained windows you can catch a glimpse of what goes on inside. But walk a little East and you’ll find another budding design district. 

Dupont has a long history of being overlooked, but in the past it’s proximity to the Canadian Pacific Rail line made it a hub for the manufacturing sector. This is where the Ford Model T factory was, the Evening Telegram building, Christie’s showroom, the Mono Lino Typesetting still stands as a reminder. In present day you can still find things being made on Dupont, or at the least being designed.

Relative Space (365 Dupont)

With a massive and beautiful location, Relative Space is a concept space. For the past 15 years Relative Space has been in at the same location in an old blacksmithery. With a location in New York since 2009, Relative Space designs and manufactures floor coverings to provid a “holistic contemporary residential environment.”

South Hill Home (200 Dupont)

Not just another big box home décor store. True they carry everything from occasional table to accent; the store is committed to bringing in the best of the world’s design to you here in Toronto. You’ll be able to find products here that you can’t find anywhere else in the GTA. South Hill Home is also proud to be located in what they call “a growing, fashionable design- driven locale.”

Hacher & Krain (256 Dupont)

Unlike other premium knife stores in Toronto, Hacher & Krain offer up blade that were forged in a varity of regions, never playing favourites to any one in particular. This is where you can find that French Sabatier knife you’ve been after, or that hearty German blade perfectly suited for slicing up cabbage and wurst. Italy, Spain, and Japan are also represented here.

Commute Home (367 Dupont)

You might know of Communte from it’s retail store on Queen St, but it’s showroom on Dupont is where the real gems are. At this location this dexterous and ingenious business gets to show off in the showroom. This is where home furnishing bleeds into art installation. G to Commute is you want a one of a kind, once in a lifetime, out of this world piece for your home that was designed and made here in Toronto.

Burnett (1052 Bathurst)

History is alive a this shop just off Dupont. Fine all your vintage furniture pearls here at this most recent of ventures for partners Gordon and Catherine Runge who already have a decade-old vintage shop in Ottawa called Barbdorf Gordman. Pieces span from early 20^th century to mid-century modern, all with a splash of colour

Peaks & Rafters (585 Dupont)

For those that simple don’t have time to pick out their own pieces or for those who want striking one of a kind interiors, Peak & Rafters is a full service design firm. From lighting, linens, rugs and art, right on down to custom design for furniture and millwork this shop is the full package.

Pimlico (643 Dupont)

A source for interior designers across the city, this tiny store offers a selection of predominantly Canadian designed housewares. Traditional products reproduced and reinvented, here is where you’ll find just what you’ve been looking for. Made with care and imagination the items stocked at Pimlico are bright and charming while maintaining class and distinction. Pimlico is home to pieces rom over 30 designers with the featured designer being the talented Tahir Mahmood.