In addition to being a historical residential neighbourhood, Downtown has traditionally been the retail and business centre of London. Over the past few decades, Downtown has transitioned to more of an entertainment district, while maintaining a high population of residents. Budweiser Gardens (home of the London Knights and London Lightning), Museum London, the London Music Hall, the Grand Theatre, the Covent Garden Market, the RBC Place London, several art galleries, and many of London's best restaurants and bars are found in the Downtown. It serves as London’s Central Business District with many tall office towers filled with financial services, tech and communications companies, government, law firms and the regional court house. The area also serves as a central hub for the London Transit Commission and contains the Intercity Bus and Via Rail train station.
The neighbourhood is filled with businesses but the main two streets for shopping and restaurants are Dundas and Richmond. Citi Plaza (formerly Galleria Mall) is another hub of commercial activity with the Central branch of the London Public Library, movie theatre, gym, a food court and several retailers. Both of London’s post-secondary education institutions, Western University and Fanshawe College, have a presence in the neighbourhood. Ivey Park is located on the west end of downtown and offers beautiful views of the Forks of the Thames, a playground, spray pad, and connections to the Thames Valley Parkway. The dwellings are almost entirely apartments or condos either in new tall towers or in the upper floors of 3 or 4 story buildings with retail on the street level.
The neighbourhood is home to the London Downtown Condominium Advocacy Group. The mission of the London Downtown Condominium Advocacy Group is to advocate with politicians, agencies, and other stakeholders for solutions to issues affecting the quality of life and safety of residents of the downtown London core. For more information contact: Heather D. Chapman at hdchapman56@gmail.com.
If we have missed anything about this neighbourhood, or you would like to suggest a change, please let us know by emailing neighbourgood@london.ca.
