Earlier this month we took a stroll through Toronto's Yorkville area for a look at the repaving work that is bringing even more charm and beauty to what is already among the country's most fashionable locales. The old asphalt roads and concrete sidewalks are in the process of being replaced by new grey stone pavers, arranged in a herringbone pattern with clay-toned bricks added to the mix as accents. 

Pavers being laid at Yorkville and Bellair, image by Jack Landau

When we last walked through the area for an update on the repaving, much of Yorkville Avenue was still torn up and awaiting new pavers, with just a small stretch of the street east of Avenue Road completed. In the weeks since, more sections have been finished as work moves eastwards.

Facing east on a recently repaved section of Yorkville Avenue, image by Jack Landau

This new look is a much warmer fit for the quaint-yet-hip feel of the former-village-turned-bohemian-enclave-turned-shopping-and-dining-hotspot, and the effects of this beautification are already being felt on a large section of Yorkville Avenue now open to the west of Bellair, though construction continues east of that.

Facing west on a recently repaved section of Yorkville Avenue, image by Jack Landau

To the east, the stretch of Yorkville Avenue between Bay and Bellair is having concrete poured in advance of the repaving work. These improvements to the public realm follow the watermain installation work that required Yorkville to be torn up earlier in the year.

Concrete pouring on Yorkville Avenue, image by Jack Landau

The same pavers are now being installed along Bellair between Yorkville and Cumberland. In addition to beautifying the streets and sidewalks of Yorkville and Bellair, the project will also include the addition of public realm upgrades like benches, street trees, and planters. 

Pavers being laid at Yorkville and Bellair, image by Jack Landau

Despite all of the dust and noise, the sidewalks of Yorkville were still abuzz with the activity of pedestrians, shoppers and diners enjoying the neighbourhood. As work continues, we look forward to seeing more sections reopened in the coming weeks.