College Street takes its name from the University of Toronto, which was originally founded as King's College in 1827. The street was initially planned to mark the southern boundary of the university’s massive land grant, which stretched north to Bloor Street. Laid out in the mid-19th century, with sections developed by prominent landowner Robert Baldwin, College Street evolved from a quiet academic border into a bustling commercial and cultural corridor.

It is famously the heart of Toronto’s Little Italy and passes through the Discovery District, home to world-class hospitals and research institutions. From the historic architecture of the University to the vibrant nightlife of Little Italy, College Street serves as a vital link between the city’s educational roots and its modern multicultural identity.