Downtown Oshawa

Downtown Oshawa is Durham's business, entertainment and education hub.  

While the world entered a lull in economic activity, 2007 - 2009 were the three highest years for downtown permit value on record.  These investments truly paid off for the community in 2011, when Oshawa's downtown core came alive.  Students and office workers keep the cafes busy and people out for the evening create a vibrant night life through dining and entertainment.  

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) has been the largest catalyst for revitalizing downtown Oshawa.  Investments in new construction as well as refurbishment of existing and historic buildings  has changed the landscape and demographics of downtown.  There are currently 2,200 students attending classes in Education as well as Social Science and Humanities and by the year 2015, that number is expected to rise to 5,000 students.  

In downtown there are over 150 stores, restaurants and spas located within walking distance of the historic four corners at King and Simcoe Streets. Over 5,600 people work in the downtown core.  The General Motors Centre is proud to host major concerts and special events including Elton John, Cirque du Soleil, Skate Canada Synchronized Skating Championships and Johnny Reid to name just a few.  The GM Centre has come into its own for producing economic spin offs, attracting non-residents to Oshawa and driving the nighttime economy.

One Friday each month, hundreds gather at Downtown Oshawa's Robert McLaughlin Gallery to celebrate local creative talent.  The gallery buzzes with live musical performances, interactive art experiences, open gallery spaces and social mingling.  The largest public gallery in Durham region, occupying an inspiring 36,000 square-foot building designed by world-renowned architect Arthur Erikson.  It features a Permanent Collection of over 4,000 works of art and four galleries of diverse and changing exhibitions.

• Community Improvement Plans
• Downtown Oshawa Board Of Management
• Downtown Streetscape Implementation Plan
• Downtown Oshawa: A Review of Recent Development Activity
• Downtown Statistics 2011

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