Downtown Brampton
History:
Downtown Brampton was originally known as Buffy’s Corners in recognition of Buffy’s Tavern which stood at the north-east corner of Queen and Main Streets. This intersection was formerly known as the “Four Corners”. The Etobicoke river attracted industry to the area in the form of industrial mills. The river was both a blessing and curse as it contributed to the growth of the town but it also overflowed on numerous occasions causing flooding in the downtown core. This problem was solved in the 1950s when the river was rerouted
John Elliott one of Brampton’s first settlers is credited with laying out a village plot for Brampton that would become the nucleus of the town. It was Elliott and fellow settler William Lawson who chose the name Brampton, as both hailed from the town of Brampton, in England. Development began to take place in the 1850s and 1860s. Many of the early residents were employed at the world renowned Haggert Brothers Agricultural Works.
The arrival of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1856, helped facilitate a burgeoning flower growing industry in Brampton which would become known as “The Flower Town of Canada”. For many years Dale’s Estate nursery, the towns largest employer, held the distinction of being the largest flower business in North America. Downtown Brampton rose to even more prominence in 1867 when it was chosen as the County Seat for Peel. The historical residential homes and commercial buildings in the downtown core reflect back to this era of prominence.
Overview:
Downtown Brampton has it all including beautiful residential streetscapes, a bustling old fashioned main street shopping district, scenic parks, a museum, arts centre, and a Go Transit transportation hub. There are numerous landmarks that make Downtown Brampton a special place to be. These include Brampton City Hall, Ken Whillans Square, Gage Park, The Rose Performing Arts Centre, and the Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives. The railway line and the Etobicoke Creek define the borders of this neighbourhood.
Lifestyle:
There is a plethora of shops and restaurants in Downtown Brampton along Queen Street and Main Street. Special annual events are held along this route including an Easter Egg Hunt, Santa Claus Parade and a summer Farmers Market.
The Queen Street commercial corridor just east of the downtown core features a suburban style row of shopping plazas with a dizzying array of shops, fast food restaurants and service based businesses.
Homes:
Downtown Brampton has some of the most beautiful heritage homes in the Greater Toronto Area. These were built largely in the mid to late 1800s. The style is distinctly Victorian with a mixture of Queen Anne Revival and High Victorian. The homes south of Queen Street are larger and more elaborate with front portico entranceways, bandshell verandahs, magnificent turrets and intricate brick and shingle detailing. There is also a mix of early 1900s Prairie style and Arts and Crafts style architecture made popular by Frank Lloyd Wright.
The houses north of Queen Street closer to the railway line are also Victorian in character but are more modest in terms of house size and lot size and are less elaborate in their finishes. In addition to the older housing stock there are also a handful of newer townhomes and condominiums on the edges of the downtown.
Recreation:
Gage Park is the crown jewel of this neighbourhood offering residents year-round recreational opportunities. This urban park hosts weekly concerts, special events such as Brampton Rotary Club’s Annual Rib n’ Roll, and Classic Cars and Legendary Stars weekend. In the winter Gage Park’s circular paved path is transformed into a public ice rink, that is must visit during Brampton’s Tree Lighting celebration. Gage Park is located at the southwest corner of Main Street South and Wellington Street West.
Arts:
The Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives (PMA) located at 9 Wellington Street East is an arts and cultural facility housed in historic buildings that have undergone a dramatic modern makeover that literally sheds light on Peel Region and the City of Brampton both past and present. PAMA has rotating exhibitions and a twelve month calendar of events. There is programming for both children and adults. Space at PAMA is available for school events, private functions and birthday parties.
The Rose is Brampton’s beloved municipally owned and operated theatre. This landmark performing arts centre has three venues including the Main Stage, Studio Two and Garden Square. Gage Park off Main Street across from Brampton City Hall has a summer evening concert series.
Downtown Brampton Stats
Walkability:
High
Bikeability:
High
Public Transit:
High
Affordability:
Low
Greenspace:
High
Recreation:
High
Legend: Low, Medium, High
Commute Times
* All commuting times provided are approximate times only. Commute times may increase or decrease depending on where you live within the neighbourhood and the time of day i.e rush hour versus off hour commutes. Time estimates to public transit are based on walking distance or bus line connection whichever is quicker. All other commute times on the chart above are based on drive times.