West of Queen West is Queen West West.
Got it? The two districts, which exist more as concepts than as geographic entities, have traditionally been divided by Bathurst Street.
But the perceived border is forever crawling westward, extending Queen West’s commercial
intensification into Queen West West. The latter has prospered as a fringe neighbourhood
where artist’s studios, galleries, small bars and
boutiques coexist with old car washes, used appliance stores, the sprawling mental health facility and a sizable street community. Despite West Wester’s ongoing efforts to defend their territory, Queen West’s relentless encroachment and the forces of gentrification and real estate development may prove that, Queen West West will be a victim of its own success.