The Canary District development team this week marked the completion of preliminary work on the Front Street corridor, which will serve as the West Don Lands neighbourhood’s retail high street. Snapped at Tuesday morning’s last brick ceremony, at Front and Cherry streets: EllisDon construction manager Tim Dittmar, Dundee Kilmer Developments president Jason Lester, Kilmer Group vice-chair Ken Tanenbaum, and Ledcor Construction SVP Mark Johnson. Canary District will be home to the athletes’ village for next summer’s Pan Am Games, after which the buildings get converted into residential stock. Jason tells us they’re putting the finishing touches on this first phase of the project and will be handing over the village to games organizers by February. “We’re awfully close.”

The expanded Front Street (rendered above) has been envisioned as a pedestrian-friendly promenade with 60k SF of shops, services and eateries lining the street at the base of residential buildings. To give Canary District a "distinct character,” the retail will have a health and wellness theme, Jason tells us. Restaurants will offer healthy eating options, and retailers, like a bike shop or running store, will cater to active lifestyles. Jason says some retailers could be announced in coming weeks. “We want a mix of local, regional and national or international tenants.” At a cost of $541M to build, the Canary District also has a new YMCA and George Brown College residence.