Much of Moss Park was originally built to supply homes for the workers of the industrial area to the south of the neighbourhood. Moss Park was originally the heart of Toronto's industrial area, home to large factories and the densely packed homes of the workers they employed. In recent years the area has seen rapid gentrification. Corktown, included in this area, was an Irish ethnic enclave, particularly for Irish emigrants from County Cork. The Garden District, also included in this area, was originally a very exclusive district and declined in time as the housing stock aged and smaller lots for workers were built. This area has seen a large replacement of older homes with residential, institutional and commercial development.