City Centre is an in-demand neighbourhood located in Mississauga’s downtown core. The area’s main attraction is Square One, the largest shopping mall in Ontario and one of the largest in Canada. The mall is surrounded by high-rise condominium complexes built over the last 20 years. It’s a popular place to live, and for good reason: there’s great access to the 403 and QEW, a lively and diverse community, a great selection of rental properties, and superb shopping and dining.
Getting around is easy
City Centre sits between Confederation Parkway and Hurontario, with Highway 403 to the north and Burnhamthorpe to the south. It’s minutes away from three major highways, and has plenty of transit options, with bus routes running along Hurontario, Burnhamthorpe and Confederation. The MiWay City Centre Transit Terminal and GO Bus terminal are both conveniently located right next to Square One.
A brief history of Mississauga City Centre
The neighbourhood got its start in 1973 when construction finished on Square One. At the time, the new mall was surrounded mostly by farmland, with a few scattered subdivisions nearby.
In the following decades, the area saw huge growth. Multiple large-scale development projects transformed that farmland into Mississauga’s bustling downtown core. In 1987, the new Mississauga Civic Centre became the local seat of government for the growing city. Today, it’s a busy, densely populated district with new developments being added all the time.
The types of homes you’ll find in Mississauga’s City Centre
You’ll see mostly high-rise condos around Square One, with a handful of townhomes here and there. Two of those high-rises have become known internationally for their bold architecture and iconic contribution to the Mississauga skyline: the Absolute Towers at Hurontario and Burnhamthorpe are more commonly known as the Marilyn towers for their distinct curves and flowing lines.
Storage options in Mississauga City Centre
If you’re planning a move to City Centre, you’ll probably be moving into an apartment or condo. While units in the area tend to be more spacious than their Toronto counterparts, condo dwellers can always use a little extra storage: if you have more stuff that will fit in your locker, self-storage can be a great solution.
Storwell Self Storage has several locations in the GTA in Scarborough, Etobicoke, and one location in Mississauga, just south of the City Centre area on Royal Windsor Drive. If you are moving to City Centre and need self-storage, give us a call or visit a facility in-person to demo a unit.
Storwell Self Storage
2525 Royal Windsor Dr, Mississauga, ON L5J 1K9
Phone: 905-823-5555
Shopping and Recreation in Mississauga City Centre
There’s lots to do in the area, especially if you like shopping: Square One has 350+ stores including luxury brands like Swarovski, high-tech electronic stores like the Source, and large-scale retailers like Walmart and Hudson’s Bay. The mall also has plenty of fashion options, too, with brands like Zara, Harry Rosen, and Holt Renfrew.
In the mood for a movie? The Cineplex Cinemas Mississauga is close by. And if you’re up for games, great food and fun experiences, there’s the Rec Room, a whole entertainment complex. There’s also Sculpture Court Skatepark, with obstacles for skateboarders of all skill levels, and Celebration Square, an outdoor courtyard with a stage, an ice rink, and a garden space.
If you’re into music, art and dance, the Living Arts Centre has live performances, art exhibitions, classes, and workshops. And if you’ve been thinking of perfecting your pliés, you can even take classes with the Mississauga Ballet Association.
The best parks to visit in Mississauga City Centre
While it may look and feel like a bustling urban metropolis, the area also has lots of green spaces you can retreat to and reconnect with nature. Community Common Park has an off-leash area for dogs and is home to Daniels Community Field, a soccer field open to all members of the community.
Zonta Meadows Park has a full-sized soccer field, two well-maintained tennis courts, and an accessible playground where people of all abilities can play together.
Just a few minutes south of City Centre is Mississauga Valley Park, which has a football field, a soccer field, a baseball diamond, beach volleyball courts, a splash pad, four tennis courts, and Mississauga Valley Community Centre, which has a hockey arena, indoor pool and fitness centre.
The best schools in Mississauga City Centre
The two high schools are Father Michael Goetz and TL Kennedy, and elementary schools are:
Corpus Christi Separate School
Bishop Scalabrini School
Huntington Ridge Public School
Briarwood Public School
The best places to eat in Mississauga City Centre
This area is very multicultural: you can really tell from the diverse food offerings. Parkways West Shopping Centre is home to The Alley, which has every conceivable flavour of bubble tea. The Haze Lounge serves up amazing Middle Eastern comfort food. In the mood for authentic Italian in an upscale setting? Try Grano Ristorante. And if you’re looking for an authentic slice, Goodfellas Pizza on Burnhamthorpe has delicious wood oven pizzas. There are plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians, too, like Copper Branch, which offers locally sourced, plant-based dishes.
Love the local vibe of a good farmers’ market? The Mississauga Central Lions Club runs one in Celebration Square every Wednesday through summer until late October. It’s a great spot to stock up on fresh produce and connect with others in the community.
Are you thinking about making a move?
Mississauga City Centre has everything you could ask for from a downtown district: amazing shopping and entertainment, great access to transportation, good schools and great housing choices. If you’re considering buying or renting in the area, browse current listings and talk to a Property.ca agent to get the scoop on new developments, area amenities and where you’ll find the greatest value.