Depending on when you arrived in Durham Region, the address 70 King may mean different things to you.
If you grew up during the decades of downtown Oshawa’s heyday, then you likely have fond memories of the Genosha Hotel and its fine dining options.
In more recent years, you may have seen the property fall into disrepair, as the hotel closed and sat vacant for nearly two decades. There was talk of restoration and a renewed presence in the downtown core, but nothing ever materialized… until now.
It’s time to say hello to 70 King, and Market at 70 King is a great place to start.
While the upper floors of the building have been converted into luxury apartments, the ground floor has been transformed into a community space that is bringing splendor back to the downtown core.
For several years now, real estate developer (and proud Oshawa native) Richard Summers and his team at Summers & Co. have been working hard at revitalizing the space at 70 King. Richard’s project became the building’s new market.
“We visited some of the top food halls in the world for inspiration,” says project manager David Lee, noting that every inch of the space has been designed and crafted with intention to evoke the 1920s greatness that once made the Genosha a local source of pride.
There are touches that reflect the time period, and others that reflect the history of the region. Along the restroom hallway is a sound wave pattern representing the song, “Ain’t Misbehavin”—the number one hit in 1929, when the hotel was built.
In the corner of one of the seating areas sits an old R.S. Williams piano, in tribute to the large piano manufacturer that used to occupy space nearby—and further piano tributes in the Lobby Bar opening soon.
Aside from the ambiance though, the immediate draw to 70 King’s food hall is, without question, the food itself.
Left photo: Bao Mama | Right photo: Tastoria Kitchen
The Vendors
The restaurant vendors leasing space at 70 King were hand-chosen, and save for a singular Church’s Chicken franchise, are all local—and have now made the space at 70 King their home.
Several vendors, such as Zaps Polish Street Food, Gabe and Pancha’s Homemade Sweets and Creamery, and Philippin’ Italian already had established local businesses when they were invited to join the space. For other vendors, it marks their first permanent location.
Vendor Bao Mama already had an established presence in Toronto and had previously won awards for their cuisine. Yet, when the opportunity to join 70 King opened up, the owners—who are proud Durham residents—jumped at the chance to launch a flagship location close to home. While they maintain their Union Station location, all their baos now start their journey in Oshawa.
What’s Next?
While the building may be nearly a century old, the Market at 70 King is still in its infancy!
Lee and Summers note that with so many venues offering entertainment in downtown Oshawa—the Tribute Communities Centre, the BOND|ST Event Centre, the Biltmore Theatre, and the Regent Theatre all within walking distance—they dream of the Market at 70 King becoming an in-demand destination for a pre-show/game meal, or a nightcap.
Next to open will be the Lobby Bar, which faces out onto King Street and features countless nods to the building’s stylish history. Between the piano sculpture above the bar in tribute to R.S. Williams, to the stylish black and white photos of luminaries such as Ian Fleming, author of James Bond, the bar will offer downtown Oshawa a taste of retro charm.
There’s more to come as well. Summers and Lee are hard at work on a secret project which is still tightly under wraps but will provide revelers with even more reasons to visit the space.
One thing is for certain: we haven’t seen the last of 70 King. In fact, the opening of the Market at 70 King is sparking a whole new beginning.
Visit Market at 70 King
Check out Market at 70 King for yourself and let us know what you enjoyed the most. Tag @DurhamTourism in your social posts so we can follow along!