Concord, Vaughan Neighbourhood Guide: A Nightlife Corridor Awaits

A growing community, Concord is bordered by Steeles Avenue to the south, Highway 400 to the west and Dufferin Street to the east. Although Concord has traditionally been an industrial hub, many pockets of residential homeowners call this neighbourhood home. 

With easy access to Toronto from nearby Highway 400, large indoor sports complexes, and a unique entertainment district south of Highway 7, this area is diverse and vibrant. With exciting nightlife and nearby amenities, Concord is a distinctive community with an ever-changing population.

In 1818, US immigrant Hiram White travelled from Concord, Vt., to Vaughan, Ont. It’s believed that Concord is named after this early settler’s hometown. During these pioneering times, the Northern Railway was constructed in 1853, which ran from Toronto to Collingwood and stopped in Concord.

Concord’s population expanded to 600 in 1875. When Highway 400 opened in 1951, the area was redeveloped into an industrial district.

In the 1950s, housing development began east of Keele Street, with families settling into this suburban community. In 1977, the opening of Highway 407 further entrenched businesses in Concord. Many large multinational and domestic companies set up their home base here, fuelled by Concord’s access to several major highways.

You’ll find large companies like Toys “R” Us Canada and Tootsie Roll of Canada carrying out their business in this industrial hub.

A mostly industrial hub, Concord’s industries are centred around Dufferin Street and Highway 7. Here you’ll find many large multinational and domestic corporate headquarters, in addition to small retail stores.

In the residential sector, many new and upcoming condominiums are located near the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, allowing residents subway access to downtown Toronto. This neighbourhood, with its extensive condominium developments and the new subway station, has been redeveloped into a new downtown area.

In the residential pockets, you’ll also find townhomes and semi-detached and detached homes with pride of ownership. Dufferin Hills in northeast Concord and Glen Shields in the southeast are popular neighbourhoods.

The Glen Shields neighbourhood was developed in the 1970s and 1980s. You’ll find modest detached homes, attached backsplits, and link-style homes. Dufferin Hills is a more modern neighbourhood built in the 2000s, featuring newer brick detached homes and townhomes.

Keeping the arts alive in Concord, Creative Souls Art Gallery on Keele Street supports local progressive artists and more established artisans. For unique artistic expressions, Vividly Expressive Creative Art Studio on Edgely Boulevard is a fun spot for families to create original art together.

A night out is memorable at City Playhouse Theatre, on New Westminster Drive in Vaughan. This multi-purpose venue features intriguing live performances, and you can rent it out to stage your own unique production.

Just west of Concord, at Highways 7 and 400, you’ll find cinemas, Costco, Fortinos, The Home Depot, and Ikea. In the same area, you’ll also find the Walmart Supercentre for convenient shopping.

For outlet shopping with the hopes of snagging a bargain, Vaughan Mills features a range of retailers boasting high-end outlet stores like Nordstrom Rack, Calvin Klein Outlet, Armani Exchange Outlet, and Hugo Boss Factory Store. Entertainment attractions like the Legoland Discovery Centre are also popular at the mall.

For those who are fond of nightlife and late-night dancing, Concord features its own Entertainment Central District. Located south of Highway 7, you’ll find an array of lounges, bars, and restaurants, like Luxy Club, SiN ON 7, Posh Supperclub, Toop Lounge, and Nitro Lounge & Bar.

Near Highway 7 and Edgeley Road, you’re sure to find the food you’re craving. La Molisana Café is a friendly homestyle Italian café, Gordo’s Diner serves delicious breakfast and lunch in an old-school diner, and St. Louis Bar & Grill’s famous wings and ribs will tempt your palate.

On Keele Street, Sushi Land features unique Korean and Japanese cuisine for internationally inspired dining.

Although an industrial hub, Concord caters to the residential community with several parks. The recently redeveloped Glen Shields Park is located north of Steeles Avenue West and west of Dufferin Street. This 4.7-hectare green space offers a playground, winding pathways, a multi-purpose court with basketball nets, and tennis courts.

A tree-lined green space, Marita Payne Park on Jason Street features a playground, soccer and baseball amenities, paved paths, and a scenic pond.

Other local parks to enjoy include Alexander Park, Langstaff Eco Park, Concord Regional Park, and Peachtree Parkette.

When Vaughan was named one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, it started to plan for the future with the creation of recreational venues. An example is Astra Sportsplex on Rutherford Road, a modern indoor soccer sports complex for fast-paced games of soccer or lacrosse.

PHAT SportsPlex also offers indoor sports fields for cricket, soccer, lacrosse, and more. East of Dufferin, the Sky Zone trampoline park features a unique way to keep fit.

You’ll also find the Patricia Kemp Community Centre on Dufferin Street, featuring a gymnasium, computer classes, seminars, and other community programs.

Recreation in the form of thrilling roller-coasters is available at the landmark Canada’s Wonderland, near Jane Street and Major Mackenzie Drive West. This quintessential amusement park, which opened in 1981, features the Yukon Striker, a record-breaking roller-coaster, along with a popular water park for hot summer days. Live entertainment and special events also provide a jam-packed day of fun.

It’s easy to travel downtown at the Rutherford GO train station. This train provides access to York University and downtown Union Station. If you take the train northbound, the final stop is the Barrie GO train station.

In 2017, the TTC opened the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station on Highway 7, with trains running downtown on the Yonge-University-Spadina line in 45 minutes. 

Most of the residents who live in Concord will take nearby Highway 400 southbound to connect with the 400 series highways leading to downtown Toronto and nearby communities. Highway 407 also offers a direct route across the Greater Toronto Area. The trip downtown will take between 30 and 40 minutes depending on traffic.

Although many industries are based in Concord, it’s also a focal point for nightlife, recreational sports complexes, and several parks that cater to the residential communities here. A new subway extension has fuelled homeownership in this region, giving momentum to commuters and transforming the community.