Toronto Star

Given the damage done to the Esplanade over the decades, it's amazing it has any life left at all. Despite the success of the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, built during the halcyon days of the 1970s, the odd remaining historical structure and some well-intentioned contemporary additions, the street has never managed to realize its potential. A shortage of north-south streets through the railway corridor hurts both the Esplanade neighbourhood and the waterfront on the other side of the tracks. But the damage has been compounded by the old Toronto story: lack of planning. All the architecture in the world couldn't make up for the chaos that has unfolded here. On the positive side, there's green space east of Jarvis St., which brings a neighbourhood feel to the area.