ALLENBY

HISTORY

Allenby was first settled in the 1400’s by the Huron Tribe which had a village here until sometime in the early 1700’s. This village is described in Lyman B. Jackes Tales of North Toronto as “a well organized and extensive community that had its centre in an artesian spring of pure water. The spring flowed where the modern water tower rears its head on Roselawn Avenue, just to the west of Avenue Road. The great tribal huts were on the site of the present day Allenby Public School.” Jackes goes on to say that the Allenby school hill is not natural but was man-made, the result of the Huron’s practice of burrowing food stocks underground. The present day neighbourhood was developed when Allenby Public School opened in 1927. The school was named after Lord Allenby, a British World War One hero.

OVERVIEW

Allenby is very popular with families that have young children. This neighbourhood’s biggest drawing card is the Allenby Public School which has an excellent reputation, built around its French Immersion program for students in grades one through six

HOMES

Allenby’s tudor style houses were built in the 1930’s and 1940’s. They include a mix of detached two storey homes and bungalows. Overall, Allenby’s lot sizes are above average, with 25 to 35 foot frontages being typical. All Allenby houses have either a mutual or private driveway.
Much of Allenby’s housing stock has undergone extensive renovations by new owners who have been careful to preserve the original wood detail and decorative accents found in many of the houses in this neighbourhood.

SCHOOLS

(P) Allenby Jr., 3

(P) Allenby Jr., 391 St. Clements Avenue, (416) 393-9115

(P) Glenview Sr., 401 Rosewell Avenue, (416) 393-9390

(PH) Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, 730 Eglinton Avenue West, (416) 393-1860

(PH) North Toronto Collegiate Institute, 70 Roehampton Avenue, (416) 393-9180

(PR) Havergal College, 1451 Avenue Road, (416) 483-3519

(PR) St Clement’s School, 21 St. Clements Avenue, (416) 483-4835

Legend

• (P) Public School
• (PC) Private Catholic School
• (PH) Public High School
• (PJ) Private Jewish School
• (CA) Catholic School
• (C) College
• (PR) Private School
• (U) University

ANNEX

HISTORY

The Annex was subdivided in the 1870’s and 1880’s. It immediately became one of Toronto’s elite neighbourhoods. The Annex’s first residents included the likes of Timothy Eaton, the patriarch of Eatons department store, and George Gooderham, president of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery.The Annex’s Golden Era lasted until the 1920’s, when the upper classes began to migrate northward to newer more fashionable suburbs in Forest Hill and Lawrence Park. Those who stayed behind helped form the Annex Residents Association. This powerful lobby group saved the Annex from the proposed Spadina Expressway which would have divided the Annex in half, had it been built.The Annex has endured and is now over one hundred years old. It remains one of Toronto’s premier neighbourhoods.

OVERVIEW

The Annex is Toronto’s most heterogenous community. Its residents include successful business people, prominent artists, University of Toronto students and faculty, and people from all walks of life. This is a vibrant neighbourhood that draws its energy from the University of Toronto, as well as from the bars, restaurants and nightclubs that crowd together along Bloor Street. Many of the rooming houses and multi-unit homes in the Annex have recently been converted back to single family houses reflecting the return to prominence of this historic Toronto neighbourhood.

HOMES

The Annex houses, built between 1880 and 1910 are fine examples of Victorian, Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque architectural styles. Plum and pink coloured Credit River sandstone, rich red brick, and terra cotta clay tiles, make up the exterior facades of many of these homes. The architectural detail is among the finest in the city, ranging from pyramidal roofs and turrets to recessed grand archways and wooden spindled porches. A second wave of Annex homes dates from 1910 to 1930. These homes are less elaborate than their predecessors, but are nonetheless fine examples of English Cottage, Georgian and Tudor style architecture.

SCHOOLS

(P) Huron Jr., 541 Huron Street, (416) 393-1570, (P) Jesse Ketchum Jr. & Sr., 61 Davenport Road, (416) 393-1530, (P) Palmerston Jr., 734 Palmerston Avenue, (416) 393-9305 3, (PH) Central Technical School, 725 Bathurst Street, (416) 393- 0060, (CA) Loretto College, 391 Brunswick Avenue, (416) 393-5511 or South Campus, 783 Bathurst Street, (416) 393- 5543, (PR) University of Toronto School, 371 Bloor West, (416) 978-3212, (PR) Royal St. Georges College, 120 Howland Avenue, (416) 533-9481, (U) University of Toronto, St. George Campus, (416) 978-2011

LEGEND:

• (P) Public School
• (PC) Private Catholic School
• (PH) Public High School
• (PJ) Private Jewish School
• (CA) Catholic School
• (C) College
• (PR) Private School
• (U) University

BEDFORD PARK

HISTORY

crossroads of Yonge Street and Lawrence Avenue. This village was a popular stopover for farmers travelling to and from the markets in Toronto. It is likely that Bedford Park is named after the Bedford Park Hotel which opened in 1873 at the south west corner of Yonge Street and Fairlawn Avenue. The residential development of Bedford Park was linked to the Metropolitan Street Railway which began service to this area in 1890. That same year Bedford Park amalgamated with the former Town of North Toronto which was then annexed by the city of Toronto in 1912. To this day Bedford Park is commonly referred to as North Toronto.

OVERVIEW

The Bedford Park neighbourhood is geared toward families with young children. It has an excellent selection of public, private and separate schools, many parkettes and playgrounds, a community centre, a library, and convenient access to Toronto’s transit system.

HOMES

Bedford Park has a good mix of detached and semi-detached homes. The original housing stock was built between 1890 and 1940. However, many of the bungalows in the neighbourhood have recently been torn down and replaced with custom designed houses. The award winning Bedford Glen development on Sylvan Valley Way, is a pretty collection of low-rise terraced condominium apartments and townhouses in a private ravine setting.

SCHOOLS

(P) Bedford Park Jr., 81 Ranleigh Avenue, (416) 393-9424

(P) John Wanless Jr., 250 Brookdale Avenue, (416) 393-9350

(P) Glenview Sr., 401 Rosewell Avenue, (416) 393-9390

(PH) Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute, 125 Chatsworth Drive, (416) 393-9500

(CA) Blessed Sacrament, 24 Bedford Park Avenue, (416) 393-5226

(PR) Havergal College, 1451 Avenue Road, (416) 483-3519

(PR) Toronto French School, 296 Lawrence Avenue East, (416) 484-6533

LEGEND:

• (P) Public School
• (PC) Private Catholic School
• (PH) Public High School
• (PJ) Private Jewish School
• (CA) Catholic School
• (C) College
• (PR) Private School
• (U) University

BENNINGTON HEIGHTS

HISTORY

The Bennington Heights neighbourhood is situated on a flat plain of land, on the crest of an escarpment which thousands of years ago had been part of the shoreline of ancient Lake Iroquois - the forerunner to Lake Ontario. This area was first settled in the 1870’s by John Cudmore and Daniel Ryan, who operated successful market gardens on their respective properties. The Cudmore farm was subdivided for residential development in 1889 and later re-subdivided in 1912. Daniel Ryan’s property, which was located just to the north of the Cudmore farm was subdivided in stages between 1891 and 1946. The first resident of the present day neighbourhood was Thomas Weatherhead, a solicitor for the East York School Board. In 1925, when Weatherhead purchased number thirty Rosemount Avenue he had the Rosemount street name changed to Bennington, which was his wife’s maiden name. The Bennington name was also adopted by the Bennington Heights School when it opened in 1950. This neighbourhood has been referred to as Bennington Heights ever since.

OVERVIEW

Bennington Heights is one of Toronto’s most exclusive and expensive neighbourhoods. Over the years it has been the home of many prominent Torontonians including author Margaret Atwood, whose highly acclaimed novel Cat’s eye, is loosely based on her childhood growing up in Bennington Heights. Bennington Heights is bound on two sides by the bluffs of the Don River Valley ravine and on the north by Mount Pleasant Cemetery. These natural barriers help preserve the peaceful tranquility of this neighbourhood.

HOMES

Bennington Heights English Manor stone houses were built in the 1920’s and 1930’s. The Cottage style two-storey homes and bungalows were built in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Bennington Heights’ winding roads, culs-de-sac and ravine properties all add to the charm of owning a home in this neighbourhood. With so much nature at your doorstep don’t be surprised if you spot a fox gingerly taking an afternoon stroll through Bennington Heights as I had the pleasure of witnessing while touring this neighbourhood.

SCHOOLS

(P) Bennington Heights School, 76 Bennington Heights Drive, (416) 396-2310

(P) Bessborough Drive Elementary & Middle School, 211 Bessborough Drive, (416) 396-2315

(PH) Leaside High School, 200 Hanna Road, (416) 396-2380

(CA) St. Anselm Catholic Elementary, 770 Millwood Road, (416) 393-5243

(CA) Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1½ Garfield Avenue, (416) 393-5239

(PR) The Junior Academy, 235 McRae Drive, (416) 425-4567

(PR) Crescent School, 2365 Bayview Avenue, (416) 449-2556

LEGEND:

• (P) Public School (PH)
• (PC) Private Catholic School
• Public High School
• (PJ) Private Jewish School
• (CA) Catholic School
• (C) College
• (PR) Private School
• (U) University

Neighbourhood information provided courtesy of the Toronto Neighbourhood Guide

BLOOR WEST VILLAGE

HISTORY

was the property of Lieutenant Colonel William Smith Durie, the first commanding officer of the Queens Own Rifles. The street that ran through his estate is now known as Durie Street. The present day neighbourhood began to be developed in 1909 when this district became part of the City of Toronto. Soon after amalgamation with Toronto, Bloor West’s roads were paved and city services were made available. Bloor West’s first residents were immigrants of Eastern European background. These are the residents who helped found the Bloor West Village Business Improvement Area, the first of its kind in Canada. This shopping district has helped make Bloor West Village one of Toronto’s most popular neighbourhoods.

OVERVIEW

Bloor West Village is a popular neighbourhood for families. It has many excellent schools and is within walking distance of High Park - Toronto’s biggest and best known park. This west end neighbourhood is highlighted by the Bloor West Village retail district which attracts shoppers from all over the city.

HOMES

Bloor West Village homes are all fairly similar in size and style having been built in a relatively short period of time between 1912 and 1923. Bloor West Village houses feature deep front porches that are well shaded by the majestic Oak and Maple trees that line the streets of this neighbourhood. The majority of houses feature decorative oak accents, hardwood floors, and fireplaces.

Toronto School Resources

• Toronto District School Board
• Toronto District School Board Transportation
• Toronto Catholic District School Locator
• Newcomer’s Guide to Education
• Learning Disabilities Association of Toronto District
• Active and Safe Routes to School
• Toronto District School Locator
• Toronto Catholic District School Board
• Toronto Catholic District School Board Transportation
• Fraser Institute School Rankings
• Ontario Gifted Association
• OFSAA Ontario School Sports

Neighbourhood information provided courtesy of the Toronto Neighbourhood Guide

BRIDLE PATH

HISTORY

The Bridle Path could hardly have been envisioned by Alexander Milne, who settled on what is now Edwards Gardens in 1827. Milne operated woolen and saw mills on the banks of Wilket Creek until 1832 when a dwindling water supply forced Milne to move east to a mill site along the Don River.The Bridle Path inconspicuously spent the rest of the 1800’s and early 1900’s as farmland. It wasn’t until 1929, when the Bayview Bridge was built over the steep Don River Valley, that this area was considered for residential development. Hubert Daniel Bull Page, a Toronto-based land developer was one of the founders of the present day neighbourhood. Page envisioned the Bridle Path as an exclusive enclave of estate homes. In 1929, Page built the Cape Cod Colonial style house at number 2 The Bridle Path, in an effort to spark interest in his subdivision. Early plans for this neighbourhood called for an elaborate system of equestrian Bridle Paths. These Bridle Paths have long since been paved over, however their legacy remains in the Bridle Path’s unusually wide streets and in the name of this neighbourhood.

OVERVIEW

The Bridle Path has often been referred to as “Millionaires Row”. Indeed most of the houses in this neighbourhood sell for well in excess of a million dollars. This exclusive enclave of homes is surrounded by the Don River Valley and lush parkland, which provide the perfect backdrop for The Bridle Path’s stately homes. Bridle Path residents shop, play, and educate their children along Bayview Avenue, whose landmarks include the upscale York Mills Shopping Plaza, the posh Toronto Granite Club, and the private Crescent School for boys. The Toronto French School is located just off of Bayview at Lawrence Avenue.

HOMES

The Bridle Path’s largest mansions located between Post Road and Park Lane Circle are among the largest homes in Toronto. These grand homes are situated on one to six acre lots and feature stone and cast iron gateways with elaborate built-in security systems. The houses south of Park Lane Circle are somewhat smaller in scale with still very generous one hundred foot frontages.

The houses in the Bridle Path were built mostly in the 1930’s, 1950’s and 1960’s which accounts for the eclectic mix of architectural styles found here. This mix of designs includes Georgian, Colonial, Greek and Tudor Revival, Italianate, Neo Gothic, California bungalows and futuristic modernist style houses. There is also a new luxury condominium apartment building scheduled to be built at number one Post Road, in the French Chateau style.

The typical Bridle Path estate offers a wide range of luxury features, ranging from pools, tennis courts, gazebos and cabanas, to greenhouses and waterfalls. Interior features range from gold fixtures and marble finishes to dance floors, saunas, personal gyms, and home theatres.

The French Chateau inspired luxury condominium at One Post Road is an exclusive building with only 42 units, all with private elevator access. Also noteworthy are the European-design Chedington Place Condominiums situated on the north-east corner of Bayview and Lawrence Avenues. These exclusive condominiums also feature private elevators and spectacular ravine views.

SCHOOLS

(P) Rippleton Public School, 21 Rippleton Road, (416) 395-2810, (PH) York Mills C.I., 490 York Mills Road, (416) 395-3340, (CA) St. Bonaventure, 1340 Leslie Street, (416) 393-5263, (PR) Crescent School, 2365 Bayview Avenue, (416) 449-2556, (PR) Toronto French School, 296 Lawrence Avenue East, (416) 484-6533, (PR) Crestwood School, 411 Lawrence Avenue, (416) 444-5858, (PR) Bayview Glen, 275 Duncan

LEGEND:

• (P) Public School
• (PC) Private Catholic School
• (PH) Public High School
• (PJ) Private Jewish School
• (CA) Catholic School
• (C) College
• (PR) Private School
• (U) University

Neighbourhood information provided courtesy of the Toronto Neighbourhood Guide

CABBAGETOWN

HISTORY

Cabbagetown’s history began in the 1840’s when thousands of Irish immigrants settled here after fleeing the potato famins in their homeland. These first Cabbagetown residents were very poor. To put food on the table they grew cabbages on their front lawns, which is how this district came to be known as Cabbagetown.

Cabbagetown’s working class community was particularly hard hit by the Depression of the 1930’s. Cabbagetown historian Hugh Garner, wrote that the Depression turned Cabbagetown into “the worst Anglo Saxon slum in North America”. The worst slums were concentrated south of Gerrard Street. These homes were razed in the 1950’s and replaced by the Regent Park housing development.

Cabbagetown was revitalized in the 1970’s and 1980’s by new home buyers, who restored much of this neighbourhoods fine collection of Victorian homes. Cabbagetown is now considered one of Toronto’s most gentrified neighbourhoods.

OVERVIEW

Cabbagetown is one of Toronto’s most popular neighbourhoods. Its residents come from a wide variety of backgrounds, however they all share a strong sense of community spirit and pride in their neighbourhood. This community spirit is put on display every September during the Cabbagetown Fall Festival that runs for an entire weekend and features a mini marathon, historical walking tours, a parade and a community wide yard sale.

HOMES

The Cabbagetown neighbourhood was once described by the New York Times as “containing the largest collection of Victorian homes in North America”. Cabbagetown’s houses were built between 1860 and 1895.

Most of these houses have been lovingly restored under the watchful eye of the Cabbagetown Preservation Association. The Association, comprised of local residents, plays a vital role in ensuring that all Cabbagetown renovations and new developments are in keeping with this historical neighbourhood.

SCHOOLS

(P) Lord Dufferin Jr. & Sr., 303 Berkeley Street, (416) 393-1760

(P) Sprucecourt Jr., 70 Spruce Street, (416) 393-1522

(P) Winchester Jr. & Sr., 15 Prospect Street, (416) 393-1270

(PH) Rosedale Heights Secondary School, 711 Bloor Street East, (416) 393-1580

(PH) Jarvis Collegiate Institute, 495 Jarvis Street, (416) 393-0140

(CA) St. Martin Annex, 55 Salisbury Avenue, (416) 393-5222

(CA) Our Lady of Lourdes, 444 Sherbourne Street, (416) 393-5221

LEGEND:

• (P) Public School
• (PC) Private Catholic School
• (PH) Public High School
• (PJ) Private Jewish School
• (CA) Catholic School
• (C) College
• (PR) Private School
• (U) University

Neighbourhood information provided courtesy of the Toronto Neighbourhood Guide

CARIBOU PARK

HISTORY

Caribou Park was formerly part of a farm owned by a pioneer named Thomas Snider who resided here from the 1830’s to the 1870’s. The Snider farm took in the entire present day neighbourhood and also included land west of Bathurst Street. Remarkably, the Snider farm house is still standing on the western edge of this neighbourhood at 519 Glengrove Avenue. The Snider house is hidden from the street by two towering blue spruce trees that stand guard over this historic house.

Following Thomas Snider, the next name to appear on city maps of this area is that of John H. Watson, whose family resided here from the 1870’s up until the early 1900’s.

Another house which was built when this area was still farmland is number 43 Kimbark Boulevard. This cobblestone house was built in 1906 by a stone mason from Scotland, and is listed on the Toronto Historical Board’s Inventory of Heritage Properties.

The rest of the present day neighbourhood was laid out in two separate plans of subdivision registered in 1910 and 1912. However the actual building of houses in Caribou Park did not commence until the 1930’s.

OVERVIEW

Cabbagetown is one of Toronto’s most popular neighbourhoods. Its residents come from a wide variety of backgrounds, however they all share a strong sense of community spirit and pride in their neighbourhood. This community spirit is put on display every September during the Cabbagetown Fall Festival that runs for an entire weekend and features a mini marathon, historical walking tours, a parade and a community wide yard sale.

HOMES

The Cabbagetown neighbourhood was once described by the New York Times as “containing the largest collection of Victorian homes in North America”. Cabbagetown’s houses were built between 1860 and 1895.

Most of these houses have been lovingly restored under the watchful eye of the Cabbagetown Preservation Association. The Association, comprised of local residents, plays a vital role in ensuring that all Cabbagetown renovations and new developments are in keeping with this historical neighbourhood.

SCHOOLS

(P) Lord Dufferin Jr. & Sr., 303 Berkeley Street, (416) 393-1760

(P) Sprucecourt Jr., 70 Spruce Street, (416) 393-1522

(P) Winchester Jr. & Sr., 15 Prospect Street, (416) 393-1270

(PH) Rosedale Heights Secondary School, 711 Bloor Street East, (416) 393-1580

(PH) Jarvis Collegiate Institute, 495 Jarvis Street, (416) 393-0140

(CA) St. Martin Annex, 55 Salisbury Avenue, (416) 393-5222

(CA) Our Lady of Lourdes, 444 Sherbourne Street, (416) 393-5221

LEGEND:

• (P) Public School
• (PC) Private Catholic School
• (PH) Public High School
• (PJ) Private Jewish School
• (CA) Catholic School
• (C) College
• (PR) Private School
• (U) University

Neighbourhood information provided courtesy of the Toronto Neighbourhood Guide

CASA LOMA

HISTORY

The sightlines and majestic beauty of the Avenue Road Hill have, over the years, inspired many of Toronto’s wealthiest citizens to build their homes here. The one home that stands out above all the others is Casa Loma, a real life medieval castle. Casa Loma was built in 1911, by Sir William Henry Mill Pellatt, a prominent financier, industrialist, and military man. It took three hundred men nearly three years to build Casa Loma, at a cost of $3,500,000, which at that time was an unprecedented amount of money to pay for a home. Sir Henry enjoyed his dream home for less than ten years before mounting debts forced him to turn Casa Loma over to the City of Toronto. In the 1920’s, shortly after Sir Henry’s departure from Casa Loma, the extensive grounds and greenhouses to the north of the castle were subdivided, and the current neighbourhood began.

OVERVIEW

The striking silhouette of Casa Loma provides a romantic backdrop to this posh Toronto neighbourhood. Nestled on the brow of the Avenue Road Hill, and surrounded by ravines and parkland, this residential enclave looks and feels more like an enchanted forest filled with storybook homes, than the big city neighbourhood it really is.

HOMES

Casa Loma’s large Tudor, Georgian, Edwardian, and English Cottage style homes were built mostly between 1905 and 1940. The houses on the south side of Lyndhurst Court enjoy a spectacular view of Toronto’s skyline and Lake Ontario. Many homes in this neighbourhood back onto the Nordheimer ravine, a virtual forest of mature oak and maple trees. In addition to single family houses, the Casa Loma neighbourhood contains a mix of duplex and triplex houses, luxury townhouses, condominiums and co-ownership apartment buildings.

CEDARVALE

HISTORY

Cedarvale’s residential development began in 1912 when Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, the builder of Toronto’s famous Casa Loma registered a plan of subdivision for the south end of this neighbourhood under the name “Cedar Vale”. Vale denoted the ravine that runs through the centre of this neighbourhood and the Cedar part of the name makes reference to the many cedars that grew in the wet lowlands of the ravine. The Cedarvale Ravine which has long been the foundation of this neighbourhood was threatened in 1966, when the proposed Spadina Expressway was slated to run straight through the ravine on its way downtown. Some Cedarvale houses were expropriated and the floor of the ravine was clearcut to make room for the expressway. Fortunately strong opposition to the expressway was voiced throughout the city and in 1974 the decision was made to stop the Spadina Expressway (officially called the W.R. Allen Road) at Eglinton Avenue, thus preserving the centrepiece of this popular Toronto neighbourhood.

OVERVIEW

The defining feature of this neighbourhood is the Cedarvale Ravine, which cuts a wide diagonal swath through the middle of Cedarvale. This ravine provides numerous recreational opportunities. Cedarvale has an established Jewish community that has grown up around the Holy Blossom Temple and Beth Tzedec Synagogue, which are both situated on Bathurst Street.

HOMES

Cedarvale’s Tudor and Georgian style houses were built mostly between 1920 and 1950. The bigger and more expensive Cedarvale homes are on premium lots overlooking the ravine. Cedarvale’s interior streets contain a mix of good size family homes and sturdy little starter homes. There are also a number of multi-plex houses and walk-up apartment buildings located on the periphery of this neighbourhood.

CHAPLIN ESTATES

HISTORY

The Chaplin Estates neighbourhood began with a plan of subdivision, registered by William John Chaplin and his son James D. Chaplin, in 1913. The Chaplin family had been landowners in this area dating back to 1860, when this district was known simply as ‘Eglinton’. Chaplin Estates was marketed as a high class residential district. The developers included a long list of building restrictions and zoning bylaws, in the sale of each property. There were no semi-detached houses allowed, and stucco exteriors were not to cover more than half the house. The marketing of the subdivision was handled by the Chaplin Realty Company. Prices ranged from $500 to $9,000 a lot. Most of the lots were sold between 1921 and 1925.

OVERVIEW

This distinguished neighbourhood has always been one of Toronto’s most exclusive addresses. Chaplin Estates homeowners enjoy convenient access to excellent public and private schools, shopping, parks and recreation, and transit service.

HOMES

Chaplin Estates’ two and three storey detached houses are situated on premium lots with private driveways. The houses in this neighbourhood were built in the 1920’s and 1930’s, and include many fine examples of Tudor, Georgian, and English Cottage style architecture.

CRICKET CLUB

HISTORY

The Cricket Club area was originally settled by a Scotsman named Andrew McGlashan who settled here with his family in the early 1800’s. The McGlashan’s operated a tannery on the south-west corner of Yonge Street and York Mills Road up until the 1860’s. In 1876 the McGlashan property was purchased by Andrew Bathgate. Bathgate’s heirs sold the family homestead in 1907 to William George Gooderham the owner of the Gooderham and Worts distillery. Gooderham fortuitously discovered a spring of fresh water on the Yonge Street hillside of his property where the York Mills Gardens apartments are now located. He then set up Mineral Springs Ltd., which bottled and sold this water around the world up until the 1920’s. Gooderham played a key role in the residential subdivision of this neighbourhood during the early 1900’s. He also helped form the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club which opened in 1925 and has been a neighbourhood landmark ever since.

OVERVIEW

The Cricket Club neighbourhood is an established family oriented community. The local residents display a pride of ownership that can be seen on the manicured lawns and pretty gardens found throughout this neighbourhood. There is a relaxed, country charm ambience here thanks to an abundance of mature trees and the fact that many of the streets do not have sidewalks. Cricket Club homes are in great demand because of all the amenities that this location has to offer including upscale shopping districts, excellent schools, and close proximity to public transportation and to Highway 401.

HOMES

The Cricket Club neighbourhood contains a nice mix of housing including two and three bedroom bungalows, Tudor and cottage-style two-storey houses, and larger Georgian-style homes with spacious centre hall plans. All of the houses in this neighbourhood have private drives and the lot frontages are generous, varying in size from thirty to fifty feet. The majority of Cricket Club homes were built during the 1920’s, 1930’s and 1940’s. These houses include many decorative features such as pretty bay windows, hardwood floors, fireplaces, french doors, wood trim, and built in cabinetry.

DAVISVILLE VILLAGE

HISTORY

Davisville Village is named after John Davis, who immigrated to Canada from Staffordshire, England in 1840. John Davis served as Davisville’s first postmaster and helped found the Davisville Public School. He also operated the Davis Pottery, which became the Village’s largest employer. The south part of Davisville was subdivided in the 1860’s on land owned mostly by the Davis family. The north part of the Village belonged to the Church. This latter tract of land, known as the Davisville Glebe, remained undeveloped until 1911 when it was sold to the Dovercourt Land and Building Company, the same company that oversaw the development of the Lawrence Park neighbourhood.

OVERVIEW

This centrally located neighbourhood has always been popular with singles, young couples and families. The Davisville neighbourhood is known for its excellent recreational facilities, outstanding shopping districts, and active nightlife, which includes bars, restaurants and movie theatres.

HOMES

The majority of Davisville houses were built in the 1920’s and 1930’s. The houses west of Mount Pleasant Road are mostly large two and three-storey English Cottage and Edwardian-style homes. There are also a number of duplexes and walk-up apartment buildings in this area. The houses east of Mount Pleasant Road are made up primarily of smaller detached houses, semi-detached houses and bungalows. This part of the neighbourhood also contains a handful of historical homes from the late 1800’s, and a growing number of new custom built homes. Davisville Village also contains a number of newer condominium apartment buildings located mostly on Merton and Balliol Streets and along Eglinton Avenue. A plethora of rental high-rise apartment buildings are situated on Davisville Avenue.

DEER PARK

HISTORY

Deer Park used to be referred to by the First Nations people as “Mushquoteh”, which means a meadow or opening in the wood where deer come to feed. In 1837, the Heath family purchased forty acres of land in “Mushquoteh”. Appropriately, they named their estate Deer Park. By the 1850’s, the Deer Park area had grown to include a handful of country villas, a general store, a school, a cemetery, a race track, and a hotel that was located at the intersection of Yonge and St. Clair. Patrons at the Deer Park Hotel used to delight in feeding the deer that roamed on the hotel grounds. The deer were long gone by the time Deer Park was annexed to the City of Toronto in 1908. Deer Park filled in very quickly after annexation. By the 1930’s the Deer Park neighbourhood was established as one of Toronto’s finest residential districts.

OVERVIEW

Deer Park is different from many upscale Toronto neighbourhoods in that its homes are not isolated on the periphery of the neighbourhood. The residential streets spill out onto either Yonge Street or St. Clair Avenue, right into the heart of one of Toronto’s busiest shopping, entertainment, and business districts. Deer Park’s commercial centre provides a good balance for this neighbourhood which is surrounded by lush green parkland, majestic trees, and the Vale of Avoca Ravine.

HOMES

Deer Park has a wonderful mix of detached and semi-detached houses that encompass a variety of architectural styles. Most of the original Deer Park houses were built between 1875 and 1920. Deer Park also contains a fair number of newer townhouses that blend in well with the older homes in the neighbourhood. Deer Park has one of the largest selections of luxury condominium apartment buildings in Toronto. Most of these apartments have balconies with picturesque views of the park, the ravine or the city.

DON MILLS

HISTORY

The Don Mills name makes reference to the historic Don River, and several mills were operating in this part of the Don Valley during the 1800’s. The historic residences of pioneer miller William Gray are still in their original location overlooking the Don River on the Donalda Golf Club grounds. The Gray property was purchased in 1914 by David Dunlap. The Dunlap family established a prize winning “model farm” here in Don Mills. “Donalda” farm was visited by farming experts from around the world who came to inspect and marvel at its livestock and equipment. “Donalda” house was originally used as a sales office by the developers and now serves as the clubhouse for the Donalda Golf Club. Don Mills is recognized as the first planned, and fully integrated postwar community in North America. It is credited with laying out the blueprint for Toronto’s post-war suburban development and the building of contemporary neighbourhoods.

OVERVIEW

Neighbourhood landmarks include the picturesque Donalda Golf and Country Club, and scenic Edwards Gardens. The commercial/industrial sector of Don Mills serves as the head office for IBM Canada Ltd., Global Television Station, the Toronto Real Estate Board and many other prominent companies. The Town Square is flanked on one side by a magnificent water feature that twice every hour, erupts into a four minute choreographed show. At the other end of the Town Square is an eye popping clock tower that is actually a sculpture designed by famed Canadian artist and author Douglas Coupland. The symbols on this unique clock tower are models of houses that resemble those found in the Don Mills neighbourhood. In addition to great shops and restaurants a plethora of special community events and festivals are held at the Shops at Don Mills throughout the year.

HOMES

Don Mills is a popular family oriented neighbourhood that has a city-suburb feel with big lots, tree-lined streets and open air shopping malls. Convenient transit and access to the highway make this neighbourhood a popular choice for commuters. With so much to offer it is not surprising that Don Mills has a very active real estate market. To date in 2012, 77 houses and 47 condominium units have been sold. Ed Dolatabadi, Sales Representative at Royal Lepage Signature Realty reports that right now: “Don Mills is a balanced strong healthy market. It’s definitely is not a sellers’ market the way it used to be a while ago.” This may be good news for home buyers looking to get into the market. Maybe now is the time. If history is any indication the demand for Don Mills homes will always be strong.

DOWNTOWN EAST

HISTORY

The Downtown was originally settled by some of early Toronto’s most prominent families. The street names in this neighbourhood are clues to its rich history. For instance Jarvis Street is named after the family of William Jarvis, the former provincial secretary of Upper Canada. Homewood Avenue is named after the estate of George Allan, a former mayor of Toronto. McGill Street is named after Captain John McGill, and Sherbourne Street commemorates the ancestral home of the Ridout family who came to Canada from Sherbourne, Dorsetshire, England. When the aforementioned families subdivided their large estates in the mid 1800’s, the current neighbourhood was born. The mansions on Jarvis and Sherbourne streets set the tone for the Downtown which up until the early 1900’s, was considered Toronto’s most fashionable suburb.

OVERVIEW

There is a large number of rental accommodations in this neighbourhood. This reflects the mobility of the population, which is comprised mostly of singles and couples. Downtown Toronto residents come from a myriad of different backgrounds, and span the entire spectrum of the socio-economic scale.

HOMES

Downtown’s Victorian houses were built in the mid to late 1800’s. Most of these houses have been converted to commercial uses or into multi-family homes. This neighbourhood also contains a large number of fashionable townhouses built in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The Downtown is where you will find Toronto’s most diverse selection of apartment buildings. There are art-deco designed, walk-up apartment buildings from the 1920’s, high-rise apartment buildings from the 1950’s, and newer luxury condominium apartment buildings. These range from entry level prices to more exclusive residences such as the Windsor Arms condominium where units sell for over one million dollars.

DOWNTOWN EAST

HISTORY

The Downtown was originally settled by some of early Toronto’s most prominent families. The street names in this neighbourhood are clues to its rich history. For instance Jarvis Street is named after the family of William Jarvis, the former provincial secretary of Upper Canada. Homewood Avenue is named after the estate of George Allan, a former mayor of Toronto. McGill Street is named after Captain John McGill, and Sherbourne Street commemorates the ancestral home of the Ridout family who came to Canada from Sherbourne, Dorsetshire, England. When the aforementioned families subdivided their large estates in the mid 1800’s, the current neighbourhood was born. The mansions on Jarvis and Sherbourne streets set the tone for the Downtown which up until the early 1900’s, was considered Toronto’s most fashionable suburb.

OVERVIEW

There is a large number of rental accommodations in this neighbourhood. This reflects the mobility of the population, which is comprised mostly of singles and couples. Downtown Toronto residents come from a myriad of different backgrounds, and span the entire spectrum of the socio-economic scale.

HOMES

Downtown’s Victorian houses were built in the mid to late 1800’s. Most of these houses have been converted to commercial uses or into multi-family homes. This neighbourhood also contains a large number of fashionable townhouses built in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The Downtown is where you will find Toronto’s most diverse selection of apartment buildings. There are art-deco designed, walk-up apartment buildings from the 1920’s, high-rise apartment buildings from the 1950’s, and newer luxury condominium apartment buildings. These range from entry level prices to more exclusive residences such as the Windsor Arms condominium where units sell for over one million dollars.

DOWNTOWN WEST

HISTORY

Downtown West was originally part of the vast military garrison lands that were established to protect the Town of York – the forerunner to Toronto – against attack from the United States. Following the war of 1812 peaceful relations were established with our neighbour to the south and the garrison lands were sold to the railway, which became a vital cog in the booming industry then taking place along Toronto’s harbourfront. By the 1960s much of Toronto’s port-based industry had moved north of the city, thus rail service dwindled to a trickle. The railway lands — a site bound by the Rogers Centre to the east, Bathurst Street to the west, Front Street to the north, and Lakeshore Boulevard to the south — then lay dormant and derelict for over 30 years while the City of Toronto debated what to do with them. In 1998 city council finally approved the sale of the railway lands, which are currently being redeveloped into a $2 billion condominium development known as CityPlace. Another re-birth in the Downtown West is the King/ Spadina/Bathurst district, which was at the heart of Canada’s garment industry until the early 1990s. Now many of these shop worn buildings are finding new life as trendy loft condominium projects and funky office space for the media services, high-tech communications and graphic industries.

OVERVIEW

Downtown West is Toronto’s most lively neighbourhood. This neighbourhood’s vitality is due to the fact that Toronto’s Entertainment, Fashion, and Financial districts are all located here. Until recently there were limited residential options in Downtown West. However, in the past few years the rezoning of King-Spadina commercial buildings into residential lofts, the downtown condominium and townhome building boom, and the massive redevelopment currently underway at the former railway lands have now made it possible for many more people to live, work and play in this urban neighbourhood.

HOMES

New condominium projects have recently been built or are underway on Richmond, Queen and Wellington streets and in the King-Spadina area. Many of these projects are midrise loft-style buildings. The glitzier high-rise buildings feature sleek designs with brick, glass and metal facades. By far the largest development in the area is taking place on the former railway lands next to the Rogers Centre. This new community is called CityPlace. Over the next several years 21 condominium buildings will stand on the area bounded by Rogers Centre to the east, Bathurst Street to the west, Front Street to the north, and Lake Shore Boulevard to the south. When complete, CityPlace — a technologically advanced fibre optic community — will consist of approximately 7,000 condominium units that will bring around 12,000 new residents to this neighbourhood. Heritage home fans should check out the Second Empire and Victorian-style houses on Draper Street and the Clarence Terrace townhomes on Clarence Square.

EAST YORK

HISTORY

The Township of East York was incorporated on January 1, 1924. At that time East York was comprised mostly of market gardens, a handful of brick making yards and a race horse track that was located in the area bound by Oak Park, Lumsden, Chisholm and Danforth Avenues. In its early years, East York’s population consisted mostly of employees of the local market gardens and brick yards as well as returning World War One veterans and their families. East York’s largest period of growth took place between 1946 and 1961 when the housing supply nearly doubled in size. East York held the distinction of being Canada’s only Borough until 1998 when it was amalgamated into the City of Toronto. The fact that East York chose to remain a Borough for so long rather than incorporate as a city speaks volumes for the neighbourliness and small town friendliness that has been an East York trademark ever since its formation in 1924.

OVERVIEW

For many years East York has held the distinction of having the highest percentage of senior citizens in Metropolitan Toronto. These demographics are changing however as many young families are now moving into this neighbourhood. Home buyers are finding East York attractive because the houses are relatively affordable and the location offers quick and easy access to downtown Toronto.

HOMES

The majority of East York’s housing stock was built in stages beginning in the 1890’s and continuing right up until the early 1960’s. With the houses having been built over such a wide period of time, a myriad of different housing styles is evident from one street to the next. East York is comprised of two storey or one-and-a half-storey detached and semi-detached houses, as well as an abundance of bungalows, and some newer custom designed homes. There are also a large number of high rise rental apartment buildings concentrated along Cosburn Avenue between Broadview and Donlands Avenues.

FOREST HILL

HISTORY

Forest Hill was incorporated as a village in 1923. It was named after the summer residence of John Wickson, built in 1860, at the junction of Eglinton Avenue and Old Forest Hill Road. The hill is still there, but the forest is long since gone, having been replaced by apartment buildings. Prior to its incorporation, Forest Hill had been known as “Spadina Heights”. Spadina is a derivative of the First Nations word “Ishapadenah”, which means a hill or sudden rise in land. The boundaries of the present day neighbourhood are shaped from the old Spadina Heights school district. “Lower Forest Hill”, south of Eglinton, was completely developed by the 1930’s. “Upper Forest Hill” was slower to develop due to the fact it had previously been occupied by the old Belt Line railway, and then by industry. In 1967, Forest Hill Village joined Swansea Village as one of the last two independent villages to be annexed by the City of Toronto.

OVERVIEW

The Forest Hill neighbourhood is one of Toronto’s most prestigious districts. The mansions in Lower Forest Hill are rivalled only by those found in Rosedale. Forest Hill’s schools are among the best in the country. They include two of Canada’s most revered private schools: Upper Canada College for boys, and Bishop Strachan School for girls. Forest Hill is one of Toronto’s prettier districts. Its topography is very diverse with gently sloping hills, winding roads, and numerous little parkettes all adding charm to the neighbourhood.

HOMES

Forest Hill’s old building codes and bylaws, dating back to the 1920’s and 1930’s, required that all Forest Hill houses be designed by an architect, and that a tree be planted at the front of each property. This foresight by Village planners has left a legacy of beauty in the brick and stone mansions, and majestic trees that grace the streets of Lower Forest Hill. The Upper Village houses were built mostly in the 1940’s and 1950’s. These houses are more modest than their Lower Village counterparts, however the lot sizes are comparable between the two districts. Forest Hill also contains a fair number of luxury condominium apartment buildings, located west of Spadina on Lonsdale Road and Heath Street West.

FORT YORK

HISTORY

This neighbourhood is the namesake of Historic Fort York, which has stood at the foot of Toronto near the shoreline of Lake Ontario since 1793. The War of 1812, featured the Battle of York in 1813, which saw Fort York destroyed by the Americans. It was rebuilt in 1814. Today, Fort York is a designated National Historic Site. In the 1850s the railway began operating just north of Fort York, bringing a plethora of industry to the area. Fort York would carry on in relative obscurity from the citizens of Toronto, however, it continued to be used as a military establishment right up until 1934 when it opened as a historic museum. Fort York was under siege once again in 1943, this time by short-sighted city planners who unceremoniously proposed demolishing it to make way for the Gardiner Expressway. Fortunately, community groups came to the defence of the fort, and the expressway was ultimately re-routed to the south. In a twist of fate, it is the Gardiner Expressway that now faces an uncertain future —many would like to see it demolished as part of the plan to revitalize Toronto’s waterfront while Historic Fort York is now a protected national historic site.

OVERVIEW

Fort York is one of Toronto’s newest residential neighbourhoods. However, it is situated in one of Toronto’s most historic areas. The actual Fort York military garrison after which this neighbourhood is named, occupies 43 acres of land just to the north of this newly created residential neighbourhood. Fort York is now a designated national historic site. A new interpretive visitors centre was opened in 2012 as part of Fort York’s Bicentennial celebrations. This newly minted high-density neighbourhood has been transformed by a series of high-rise condominium buildings that are expected to include approximately 6,000 condominium residences when building is complete. Many of these residences enjoy views of the Toronto Waterfront and parks located just across Lake Shore Boulevard.

HOMES

Fort York will contain a mix of high-rise towers and mid-and low-rise buildings.These slick glass and concrete edifices will include selling features such as floor-to-ceiling windows,and balconies.Unit owners on higher floors will enjoy spectacular city views to the north and lakeshore views to the south.

GOVERNOR’S BRIDGE

HISTORY

The Governor’s Bridge neighbourhood was subdivided in 1912 by William Douglas and Wallace Nesbitt. Douglas and Nesbitt were distinguished lawyers at the Toronto law firm of McCarthy, Osler and Company and both men were elected president of the Osgoode Legal and Literary Society during their careers. The actual building of homes in this neighbourhood did not take place until after 1923, when the Governor’s Bridge was opened. This bridge spanned a section of the Moore Park Ravine and received its name due to the close proximity of the Lieutenant Governor’s residence, which was located where Chorley Park is today. The same year that the Governor’s Bridge opened, Wallace Nesbitt and the estate of William Douglas altered their original plan of subdivision for this neighbourhood. All of the original street names were changed in the new plan. Southview Avenue became Nesbitt Drive, Oakdale Crescent became Douglas Crescent and Hawthorne Avenue was changed to Governor’s Road. In the early years this neighbourhood was affectionately referred to as “Little Hollywood” because many of the first houses built in Governor’s Bridge featured Spanish architectural accents.

OVERVIEW

Governor’s Bridge is an exclusive enclave of approximately one hundred and fifteen homes nestled in a wooded ravine valley which hides the fact that this neighbourhood is just five minutes from downtown Toronto. There is very little turnover of homes in this highly sought after neighbourhood and its easy to see why once you experience the peace and tranquility that this idyllic setting offers to its residents.

HOMES

The Governor’s Bridge neighbourhood features an eclectic mix of houses that come in all sizes, shapes, and architectural styles. These houses were built in the 1920’s, 1930’s, and 1940’s. Many of the original bungalows are being torn down and replaced by new custom designed houses that fit well on the generous size lots that are characteristic of this neighbourhood. For those seeking the ultimate in privacy the houses on Douglas Crescent sit perched atop the wooded slopes of the Moore Park Ravine. Blue Jays, raccoons and even the occasional fox are some of the wildlife to be spotted from the backyards of these homes. The Governor’s Manor, located at 67-93 Douglas Crescent has recently been converted into upscale condominium townhomes. This English Tudor style apartment, built in the 1920’s, is a stately looking building that adds to the grandeur of this exclusive neighbourhood.

HARBOURFRONT

HISTORY

Toronto’s Harbourfront district was created from landfill in the early 1800’s. It quickly developed into a tangled web of industry that included shipping facilities, warehouses, railway tracks, grain silos, and factories, all dotting the shoreline. Unfortunately, these physical barriers cut Harbourfront off from the rest of Toronto. It wasn’t until 1972, with the creation of the federally sponsored Harbourfront Corporation, that Toronto citizens began to reclaim their waterfront. Harbourfront has been undergoing a renaissance ever since. A shining example of Harbourfront’s transformation is the Queens Quay Terminal. This building was one of the largest warehouses in North America when it opened in 1927. The Terminal was remodelled in 1980, and today includes a successful mix of high end residential, commercial, and retail space all under one roof.

OVERVIEW

Harbourfront also serves as Toronto’s playground by the lake. It is enjoyed by all Toronto residents, as well as being a popular destination point for tourists. The Harbourfront neighbourhood incorporates a unique blend of residential, cultural, recreational, and commercial uses, all within the same community.

HOMES

Harbourfront has the highest concentration of luxury condominium apartment buildings in the City of Toronto. Most of Harbourfront’s condominiums were built in the 1980’s. At present, a number of new condominiums are being built with an emphasis on making sure every unit has at least a partial lake view and a balcony. Harbourfront also has a handful of Marinas that provide seasonal moorings on a rental basis for local and out of town boaters. Many of these hearty souls make Harbourfront their summer home.

HIGH PARK

HISTORY

The High Park neighbourhood contains a wealth of history. The area north of Bloor Street was formerly part of the Town of West Toronto Junction, which was annexed by the City of Toronto in 1909. The historical house at 191 High Park Avenue was built in 1888 for D.W. Clendenan, the first mayor of West Toronto Junction. The High Park property south of Bloor Street, was purchased in 1836 by John Howard Toronto’s first surveyor. Howard named his estate High Park because of its high elevation and magnificent view of Lake Ontario. In 1873 Howard deeded his beloved High Park estate to the City of Toronto. John Howard’s former residence Colborne Lodge is still situated on its original site in High Park, where it is now a public museum.

OVERVIEW

The High Park neighbourhood is home to a wide range of people. Its highly regarded schools including Humberside Collegiate attract many families with school age children to this neighbourhood. High Park contains a diverse housing mix. Families gravitate to the single family homes in the neighbourhood. There are also a large number of rental opportunities in High Park which appeal to singles and couples. The topography of the High Park neighbourhood features gently rolling hills, winding streets, and towering Oak trees that enchant and delight all those who live here. Launched in 1998, the Jamie Bell Adventure Playground (located at 1873 Bloor St. W. in High Park) is a family meeting place that was inspired and built by the imagination and creativity of the local community and its children. A fire at the playground on March 17 destroyed a large portion of the popular structure. This beloved neighbourhood landmark was rebuilt in 2012.

HOMES

High Park’s winding tree-lined streets are lined with impressive Victorian, Edwardian, and Tudor-style homes. These captivating houses were built largely during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Several of these houses have been divided into multiple-family dwellings. High Park’s distinctive brick homes feature a variety of architectural details that vary from house to house. These features include leaded and stained glass windows, lush wood trims, french doors, hardwood floors and fireplaces. The High Park neighbourhood also features a selection of condominium apartment buildings along Quebec Avenue, north of Bloor Street. These apartments are in the entry level price range. They include balconies, some of which feature south views that overlook High Park and Lake Ontario.

Neighbourhood information provided courtesy of the Toronto Neighbourhood Guide

HOGGS HOLLOW

HISTORY

Hogg’s Hollow is named after James Hogg, a Scotsman from Lanarkshire, who settled here in 1824. Hogg operated a whisky distillery and a grist mill, and was considered the most successful of all the millers in the valley. In 1856 James Hogg’s sons John and William, subdivided their late fathers estate under the name “Hogg’s Hollow”. The Hogg’s Hollow subdivision included one hundred and forty-one lots however only a handful of houses were actually built at this time. Four of the original Hogg’s Hollow houses are still standing. These include two former mill workers cottages, that were relocated in 1986 to 4150 Yonge Street, where they now serve as the entrance to the Auberge du Pommier Restaurant. The other two original houses are located at number one and number five Old Yonge Street. Both of these houses have undergone extensive renovations. The Jolly Miller tavern, circa 1857, situated at 3885 Yonge Street, and the George S. Pratt House, circa 1886, located at 17 Mill Street, are the other historic landmarks in this neighbourhood. The present day Hogg’s Hollow neighbourhood began to be subdivided in the 1920’s. This neighbourhood grew in stages and was finally completed in the 1960’s.

OVERVIEW

Heading north on Yonge Street, past the prominent Loblaws superstore with the cedar shingled roof motorists begin a descent down a steep valley. As you make your way down into the valley, you will see blue and white Hogg’s Hollow street signs that beckon you to discover where they might lead. Follow these signs and you will be in the storybook neighbourhood of Hogg’s Hollow. Hogg’s Hollow is an enchanted place set in the rustic beauty of the Don River valley. Here you will find winding crescents and private culs de sac lined with a colour guard of majestic Maple, Birch, Pine, Spruce and Willow Trees. There is even a stone bridge in the middle of this neighbourhood under which the Don River gently flows on its winding course towards Lake Ontario.

HOMES

Hogg’s Hollow’s idyllic charm comes with a huge price tag as this is one of Toronto’s most expensive neighbourhoods. Hogg’s Hollow houses are set in a lush landscape with a hill and dale topography that is left unfettered and in its original state without the intrusion of sidewalks. Hogg’s Hollow houses were built over a long period of time between the 1920’s and 1960’s, which accounts for the curious mixture of English Cottage, Tudor, Colonial, Georgian and Modernist architecture found here. Freshly painted window shutters adorn many of these houses and picket fences are also popular. Hogg’s Hollow also contains luxury condominium townhouses and apartment buildings on the brow of the Yonge Street hill, overlooking the valley.

HUMEWOOD

HISTORY

Hogg’s Hollow is named after James Hogg, a Scotsman from Lanarkshire, who settled here in 1824. Hogg operated a whisky distillery and a grist mill, and was considered the most successful of all the millers in the valley. In 1856 James Hogg’s sons John and William, subdivided their late fathers estate under the name “Hogg’s Hollow”. The Hogg’s Hollow subdivision included one hundred and forty-one lots however only a handful of houses were actually built at this time. Four of the original Hogg’s Hollow houses are still standing. These include two former mill workers cottages, that were relocated in 1986 to 4150 Yonge Street, where they now serve as the entrance to the Auberge du Pommier Restaurant. The other two original houses are located at number one and number five Old Yonge Street. Both of these houses have undergone extensive renovations. The Jolly Miller tavern, circa 1857, situated at 3885 Yonge Street, and the George S. Pratt House, circa 1886, located at 17 Mill Street, are the other historic landmarks in this neighbourhood. The present day Hogg’s Hollow neighbourhood began to be subdivided in the 1920’s. This neighbourhood grew in stages and was finally completed in the 1960’s.

OVERVIEW

Humewood is an established family oriented neighbourhood conveniently located approximately fifteen minutes from Toronto’s financial and entertainment districts. There are many amenities such as parks and schools located in the interior of this neighbourhood while shopping and public transit are easily accessed from St. Clair Avenue. Humewood’s intimate streetscape is enhanced by the many tree-lined streets and culs de sac found throughout the neighbourhood. Many of these streets are one-way, with very few through streets, which helps to minimize the traffic flow in this quiet tucked-away neighbourhood.

HOMES

Humewood’s detached and semi-detached houses come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These houses were built mostly between 1910 and 1925 and feature a wide variety of architectural styles including Tudor, English Cottage, and Edwardian style homes. Front porches and expansive dormer windows are characteristic of many of the houses in this neighbourhood. Humewood Court, a culs-de-sac which runs off of Humewood Drive just north of St. Clair, is noteworthy for containing some of the finest Art Deco walk-up apartment buildings in Toronto.

KINGSWAY PARK

HISTORY

Kingsway Park is situated on former Clergy Reserve lands that were deeded to the Church of England in the early 1800’s. The church leased this property to farmers until 1908 when it was acquired by Robert Home Smith, the visionary who planned The Kingsway neighbourhood.

Home Smith and Company began marketing this subdivision in 1912. However the sale of homes in Kingsway Park was stalled by the outbreak of World War I, as well as inadequate transportation routes across the Humber River Valley. It wasn’t until 1924 when the Bloor Street bridge was built that the sale of houses in Kingsway Park began. Many of the first Kingsway Park residents were Northern Ontario mining executives and Toronto businessman who were personally acquainted with Robert

Home Smith and were encouraged by him to purchase houses here. Home Smith’s motto for Kingsway Park was “a little bit of England far from England”. His lofty ideal was to establish an English style garden suburb of the highest integrity and beauty. It is Robert Home Smith’s legacy that Kingsway Park endures today as one Toronto’s finest neighbourhoods.

OVERVIEW

Kingsway Park is the premier neighbourhood in Toronto’s west end. This well planned community was designed for families. The houses and properties are a good size, the streets are pedestrian friendly, and the schools, shopping, churches, and recreation are all within walking distance. KingswayPark is known for its idyllic setting, nestled in the forest of the Humber River Valley. Kingsway Park’s streets are lined with majestic oak and maple trees that provide the perfect backdrop for the stately homes that grace this neighbourhood.

HOMES

Kingsway Park houses located between Kingsway Crescent and Royal York Road, and from Bloor Street north to Kings Garden Road were developed as part of a separate plan of subdivision called “Kingsway Park”. These houses were built between 1924 and 1947 and include some of the finest examples of Old English classical and vernacular architecture in Toronto. Many houses in Kingway Park feature handsome stone exteriors, intricate tapestry brick patterns, and elaborate stucco and half timbering designs. These homes also feature solid oak doors, leaded glass windows, fanciful bay and oriel windows, and decorative wrought iron railings and porch lamps. Kingsway Park’s oldest houses are located along Government Road near Dundas Street. These homes where originally part of the Lampton community. (Ed. Note: Refer to Lampton neighbourhood in this book). Here you will find some excellent examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture built during the later half of the 1800’s and the early 1900’s. Mixed in with these older houses are contemporary bungalow designs from the 1940’s and 1950’s

LAWRENCE PARK

HISTORY

The Lawrence Park subdivision was assembled in 1907 by the Dovercourt Land Building and Saving Company. The Dovercourt Land Company acquired the north parcel of Lawrence Park from John Lawrence, after whom this neighbourhood is named. Wilfred Servington Dinnick was the president of the Dovercourt Land Company. It was under Dinnick’s direction that Lawrence Park was developed as a suburb for the ‘well to do’. The first advertisement for Lawrence Park trumpeted it as an ‘aristocratic neighbourhood’, ‘four hundred feet above Lake Ontario’, and ‘Far from the Lake Winds in Winter’. Despite all its fanfare, Lawrence Park’s development was sporadic. The building of houses was interrupted by two world wars, a recession, and a depression. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that this neighbourhood was completely developed.

OVERVIEW

Lawrence Park is one of Toronto’s most exclusive residential neighbourhoods. It is located in a very peaceful and tranquil setting that includes gently rolling hills, winding roads and a lush topography. Lawrence Park’s shops, schools, and recreational facilities are located on its periphery, which keeps traffic on the residential streets to a minimum.

HOMES

Lawrence Park’s whimsical houses include a variety of architectural styles including English Cottage, Tudor Revival and Georgian and Colonial style designs. Lawrence Park houses were built between 1910 and the late 1940’s. Lawrence Park is a good place to find a house that blends the old with the new. Renovations in this neighbourhood have been sensitive to preserve the old world charm of these houses including leaded glass windows, wood trims around the door and window frames, decorative fireplace mantels and rich hardwood floors.

LEASIDE

HISTORY

Leaside was first settled by John Lea a pioneer farmer who emigrated to Canada from Philadelphia in 1819. In the 1850’s, Lea’s oldest son William built an eight-sided octagonal shaped house - appropriately named ‘Leaside’ - near the present day site of Leaside Memorial Gardens. This neighbourhood has been called Leaside ever since. The Canadian Northern Railway incorporated the Town of Leaside in 1913 on land formerly owned by the Lea family. Leaside’s development was historically significant in that it was the first town in Ontario to be completely planned on paper before any homes were actually built. Leaside’s residential development was stalled due to the outbreak of World War I, however Leaside was an important contributor to the war effort. Heavy artillery was manufactured at the Leaside Munitions Company. Leaside was also the location of an airfield used for the training of Canadian pilots. In 1918 the Leaside Airfield made Canadian aviation history as the terminus of the first airmail flight in Canada, travelling from Montreal to Toronto. Leaside’s status as a Town came to an end in 1967 when it became part of the Borough of East York, which has since amalgamated with the City of Toronto.

OVERVIEW

Leaside is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Toronto. In light of its high profile, it is not surprising that Leaside is also one of the more expensive real estate districts in Toronto. Leaside is in especially high demand with upper middle income families who value this neighbourhood as an ideal place to raise children. Leaside has abundant greenspace and parkland, a fine selection of schools, one of Toronto’s best shopping districts on Bayview Avenue, and excellent access to public transit.

HOMES

The typical Leaside house is situated on a generous size lot with a private drive and a garage. Most of the houses contain beautiful wood trim, hardwood floors and a working fireplace. Leaside’s Tudor-style houses were built largely in the 1930’s and 1940’s. There is a good mix of two-storey detached homes, bungalows and semi-detached houses. A growing number of Leaside bungalows have had second storey additions, while others have been replaced by new custom designed homes. During the 1990’s a handful of exclusive condominium and townhouse projects have been built on the periphery of the neighbourhood. Leaside also contains some of Toronto’s nicest rental apartment buildings, located on the east side of Bayview Avenue and on Leacrest Road overlooking the Don Valley Ravine.

LEDBURY PARK

HISTORY

Ledbury was a small farming community up until the early 1900’s when the first houses in this neighbourhood were built along Bedford Park and Woburn Avenues, on the site of the old Lawrence farm. The Ledbury area north of Woburn Avenue had been the former hobby farm of Alfred St. Germain, the successful publisher of the old Toronto Evening Journal. The St. Germain property was subdivided in 1922 by the Melrose Realty Company under the name Melrose Park. Melrose Realty president H.A. Clark selected the street names for the Melrose Park subdivision. St. Germain was chosen for obvious reasons, while Old Orchard Grove recalls the St. Germain apple orchard. Deloraine, Melrose, Marmion, and Falkirk are street names adopted from the works of Sir Walter Scott, of whom Clark was an avid fan. Ledbury’s residential development was not fully complete until the 1950’s when Ledbury School and Ledbury Park were added to this neighbourhood.

OVERVIEW

Ledbury is a neighbourhood in transition. The first generation of Ledbury families have been gradually moving out of the neighbourhood and young urban professional families are moving in. The ripple effect in this change in demographics can be seen in the flurry of building activity currently taking place in this neighbourhood as the original housing stock is gradually being replaced with expensive custom built homes. The local parks have also undergone recent improvements and Avenue Road has emerged as one of Toronto’s finest shopping districts.

HOMES

Ledbury is checkered with an abundance of real estate signs reflecting the large amount of new home construction taking place within this neighbourhood. Ledbury’s original housing stock dates from the 1910’s to the 1950’s. These houses include tudor style bungalows on prime thirty to fifty foot wide lots. Ledbury’s bungalows are rapidly being replaced by new homes. The original Ledbury houses also include small pockets of two-storey detached and semi-detached homes. The custom built new homes in this neighbourhood range in size from approximately two thousand to four thousand square feet. These homes generally include lavish interior custom finishings. The exteriors are generally brick, stone or stucco and feature many decorative accents such as large bay windows, juliet balconies, professional landscaping, interlock driveways and elaborate front porches decorated by doric columns, and fanciful wrought iron railings.

LESLIEVILLE

HISTORY

Leslieville began as a small village back in the 1850’s. The village grew up around the Toronto Nurseries owned by George Leslie and sons, after whom this neighbourhood is named. Most of Leslieville’s residents were either market gardeners or were employed at one of several brick making companies that used to operate in the area. One of the first buildings in the village was the Leslieville Public School, built in 1863. Leslieville’s first principal was Alexander Muir who composed “The Maple Leaf Forever”. Muir’s poetic verse was inspired when a brilliant autumn maple leaf fell from a Leslieville tree onto his jacket. That maple tree is still standing today and has become Leslieville’s most famous landmark. It is designated by an historic plaque at the intersection of Laing Street and Memory Lane.

OVERVIEW

Leslieville, still feels very much like a small village. It’s cozy houses, quaint stores, and tree lined streets, seem surprisingly serene and peaceful considering Leslieville’s close proximity to downtown Toronto. The green and white Leslieville street signs that run along Queen Street were installed in 1987. These historic markers are symbolic of a renewed interest and pride in Leslieville among the residents of this quiet east end neighbourhood.

HOMES

Leslieville’s older houses along Queen Street, and south to Eastern Avenue were built in the late 1800’s. They include Ontario Cottages, Second Empire row houses and Victorian houses. Leslieville’s second generation of houses, north of Queen Street, were built in the early 1900’s. This district includes modest detached and semi-detached houses as well as a large number of bungalows, that are among the tiniest houses in Toronto.

LIBERTY VILLAGE

HISTORY

In the late 1700s and early 1800s the area now known as Liberty Village was part of the Garrison Common —a military fortification for the Town of York (which would later become Toronto). Historic Fort York, located at 100 Garrison Road,served as the base for the Canadian militia in the Battle of York against the Americans in 1813. The arrival of the railway to this area in the 1850s attracted industry, which in turn led to the building of warehouses and factories.Many of these are now enjoying a new purpose in Liberty Village as funky lofts, hip live/work spaces and studio offices. The name Liberty Village is said to be a reference to the Central Prison and the Mercer Reformatory for Women that were situated here in the late1800s and early 1900s. Liberty Street — the neighbourhood’s main east-west thoroughfare —is so named because it was the first ground prisoners set foot upon once they were granted their release.

OVERVIEW

Liberty Village is a 43-acre master-planned community,combining residential,commercial and retail uses.This neighbourhood is attracting young professionals in media, high-tech and design businesses who live and work in the urban core. There is a gritty, urban feel and a unique vibrancy to Liberty Village, which emanates from the red brick Victorian industrial architecture that dominates the streetscape. The tall chimney smoke stacks that project from some of these old buildings serve as neighbourhood landmarks.

HOMES

Nodules of new townhouses can be found throughout Liberty Village and along King Street West. Hard lofts in restored industrial buildings feature soaring ceilings, huge windows and exposed brick. New concrete and glass condo towers provide an ultra-modern contrast to the older buildings in the area.

LONG BRANCH

HISTORY

Long Branch was first settled in 1797 by Colonel Samuel Smith a loyalist officer with the Queens Rangers. Smith’s five hundred acre tract of land spanned the entire present day neighbourhood. Smith, who served two terms as administrator of Upper Canada, built a modest regency style cottage at the south-east corner of 41st Street and Lakeshore Boulevard where Parkview Public School is situated today. Smith passed away in 1826. His children retained possession of his estate until 1871 when it was sold to James Eastwood. The industrious Eastwood timbered the pine and oak forest that covered this land. He then rafted the logs from the mouth of the Etobicoke Creek to the Toronto Harbour where the lumber was sold for a tidy profit. In 1883, Eastwood sold the eastern sixty-four acres of his property to the developers who created Long Branch Park, a summer resort modelled after its namesake in New Jersey. Ferry boats ushered thousands of Toronto vacationers each year to Long Branch which boasted fanciful summer cottages, a grand hotel, a boardwalk and numerous amusement rides including a Coney Island Carousel. Long Branch became more accessible in 1916 when Lake Shore Boulevard was paved. This transportation corridor helped turn Long Branch into a year-round community. This neighbourhood was developed largely from the 1920’s up to the 1950’s.

OVERVIEW

Long Branch is a well established neighbourhood located along the Toronto waterfront at the extreme south-west part of the city. This neighbourhood is in transition with many new home developments being built along Lakeshore Boulevard. This lakeside village is blessed with many fine attributes including picturesque waterfront parks, a local arena, a public library, a waterfront trail, a Go Transit station and a vibrant shopping district.

LYTTON PARK

HISTORY

Lytton Park owes its development to the Metropolitan Street Railway, whose single horse car line began service to this area in 1886. Prior to the advent of the railway, Lytton Park was a rural outpost with limited access to the City of Toronto. The Metropolitan Company recognized the impact on land values that their railway service would bring to this district. Thus in 1888, the Railway purchased the two hundred acre Beatty farm, near their station at Yonge and Glengrove. In 1888, the former Beatty farm became the “Glen Grove Park’ subdivision and the residential development of Lytton Park was underway. Lytton Park’s major period of growth began in 1912, when it became part of the City of Toronto. It was during the next fifteen years that most of Lytton Park’s houses, schools, churches and parks were built.

OVERVIEW

Lytton Park is one of Toronto’s most exclusive neighbourhoods. It is home to doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers and corporate executives who value Lytton Park’s quiet charm, and its convenient access to transportation corridors leading in and out of the city. Lytton Park’s other assets include beautiful homes on large lots, outstanding recreational facilities, and a close proximity to excellent public and private schools.

HOMES

Lytton Park’s Tudor and Georgian style houses were built primarily between 1890 and 1930. All of the houses are detached, and are situated on large lots with lush gardens. The interior of a typical Lytton Park house includes traditional accents such as hardwood floors, leaded glass windows, and a wood burning fireplace.

MOORE PARK

HISTORY

Moore Park was subdivided in 1889 as an exclusive Toronto suburb for the very wealthy. Its namesake and creator was a gentleman by the name of John Thomas Moore. Moore was instrumental in building the Belt Line Railway, Toronto’s first commuter train. He personally oversaw the construction of the Belt Line’s showpiece station at Moore Park. Moore leveraged all his money on the Belt Line, predicting it would bring many buyers to his Moore Park subdivision. However, shortly after the Belt Line opened Toronto suffered through a horrible Depression and the Belt Line went bankrupt. This setback postponed the building of homes in Moore Park until the early 1900’s. By the 1930’s, Moore Park was completely developed.

OVERVIEW

Moore Park is surrounded on all sides by natural barriers. To the north is the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, to the south is the Park Drive Ravine and the railway tracks, to the east is the Moore Park Ravine and to the west is the Vale of Avoca Ravine. With so much nature at its doorstep, it is not surprising that Moore Park is one of Toronto’s most sought after neighbourhoods.

HOMES

Moore Park includes primarily English Cottage, Georgian, and Tudor-style houses built between 1908 and 1930. Moore Park lots are generally quite large, and many of the houses back on to one of the ravines that skirt this neighbourhood. Moore Park also contains many newer townhouses as well as a fair number of duplex and multi-plex homes. For such a high end neighbourhood it is somewhat surprising that many of the houses have shared rather than private driveways. However, the streets are so quiet and uncluttered that parking is not a problem.

NEW TORONTO

HISTORY

New Toronto’s history dates back to the 1890’s when it was planned as a working town. This plan became a reality in 1906 when the Grand Trunk Railway opened repair shops, a roundhouse and a freight yard in New Toronto. The railway attracted industry to New Toronto. The areas largest employer was the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company which established a plant here in 1917. New Toronto’s rapid growth led to its incorporation as a Town in 1920. Frank Longstaff, in Villages of Etobicoke, recalls that during this period of prosperity, New Toronto touted itself as having the “highest value of manufacturing per square mile in North America.” Thanks to this strong industrial base New Toronto was able to maintain one of the lowest residential tax rates in the Toronto area throughout much of its history. In 1967, New Toronto was amalgamated with the former Township of Etobicoke, however it never lost its sense of identity as a working class town. Now, in the 1990’s, the local industry is gradually being replaced with new home developments which are attracting more professional people to this neighbourhood.

OVERVIEW

New Toronto is located along Toronto’s western beaches. It is a neighbourhood in transition as the industrial corridor located at the north end of the neighbourhood has recently been converted to residential zoning. Industry is gradually moving out of New Toronto and plans are underway for new home developments in this part of the neighbourhood. At present New Toronto is home to residents from a wide mix of cultures and incomes and includes a large seniors population. Some of the selling features of this neighbourhood are the bicycle trail, convenient TTC and Go Transit service, affordable homes and quick access to downtown Toronto via Lake Shore Boulevard.

HOMES

New Toronto’s small frame and brick bungalows and modest two storey houses were built largely between the 1910’s and the 1950’s. Larger single family homes are located closer to the lake, south of Lake Shore Boulevard. A fairly recent addition to this neighbourhood is the Lakeshore Village subsidized housing development situated between tenth and thirteenth Avenues north of Lakeshore Blvd. This housing complex features an artists co-op, which accounts for its funky appearance. New home buyers will want to keep an eye on the area north of Birmingham Road, between Islington and Kipling Avenues, for upcoming new home developments.

NORTH TORONTO

HISTORY

The town of North Toronto was incorporated in 1890. It was formed as the result of an amalgamation between Davisville Village, Eglinton Village, and Bedford Park Village. At the time of its incorporation, North Toronto was primarily an agricultural farming community. However, large parcels of land in North Toronto were already subdivided, and were being held by speculators. The actual building of houses in this area began in the 1890’s, when the Metropolitan Street Railway, made North Toronto the northernmost stop on its five cent line from downtown Toronto. By the early 1900’s, North Toronto had emerged as one of Toronto’s most popular commuter suburbs. However, frustrated by the poor level of municipal services being offered by the Town, North Toronto residents voted in favour of Annexation to the City of Toronto on December 15, 1912. North Toronto filled in quickly after annexation and was completely developed by the 1940’s.

OVERVIEW

When the expanded Toronto Mega City was formed in 1998 the North Toronto neighbourhood went from being located at the north end of the old city to occupying a central location within the new city boundaries. Despite these changes North Toronto’s identity as a neighbourhood endures. North Toronto is especially popular with families raising school-age children. It has everything families are looking for in a neighbourhood including good size houses, an excellent selection of public, private and separate schools, convenient access to Toronto’s transit system, and a multitude of parks and recreational facilities.

HOMES

North Toronto’s housing stock includes bungalows, as well as semi-detached and fully detached houses, built mostly between 1910 and 1940. North Toronto houses are well maintained and a pride of ownership is painted on the face of every home. North Toronto also contains a large number of low and high-rise apartment buildings centred around the Yonge and Eglinton area. These apartment buildings range from luxury condominiums, to affordable co-ops and a wide range of rental opportunities.

PLAYTER ESTATES

HISTORY

Playter Estates is named after the Playter family who held the original land grants on both sides of the Don River near Bloor Street. Captain George Playter, the patriarch of the family, was an United Empire Loyalist who emigrated to Canada from Pennsylvania in the 1790’s. George’s son James Playter, owned the land where Playter Estates is today. However, it was James’ eldest brother John who actually settled on this land. John’s grandson, John Lea Playter, erected the Playter Homestead at 28 Playter Crescent in the mid 1870’s. This charming brick home is still owned by members of the Playter family. The property around the homestead was used for farmland up until 1912, when the current neighbourhood was developed.

OVERVIEW

Playter Estates is an exclusive enclave of homes located just east of the Don Valley. This neighbourhood has many desirable features including beautiful homes, a first class shopping district on Danforth Avenue, and convenient access to Toronto’s transit system.

HOMES

Playter Estates is comprised of large detached and semi detached Edwardian and Victorian style homes built mostly between 1912 and 1930. The size and style of these homes is fairly uniform however, each house has its own decorative accents ranging from slate roofs and fish scale shingles, to stone gates and whimsical front porches.

RATHNELLY

HISTORY

Rathnelly’s history revolves around the former Rathnelly house built in 1830 by Senator William McMaster. McMaster’s home was named after his birth place in Rathnelly, Ireland. The McMaster estate remained intact until the 1880’s, when it was sold to developers. The present day neighbourhood began shortly thereafter. The Rathnelly neighbourhood made headlines in 1967, while celebrating Canada’s 100th birthday. During the celebrations Rathnelly residents playfully declared themselves as an independent republic of Canada. To mark their independence, the “Republic of Rathnelly” elected a queen, organized a parade, formed an “air farce” of 1,000 helium balloons, and issued Republic of Rathnelly passports to everyone in the neighbourhood. Over forty years later the “Republic of Rathnelly” is still going strong.

OVERVIEW

Rathnelly is a picturesque little enclave of homes, situated at the bottom of the Avenue Road Hill. It is home to a large number of artists, academics, writers, and media people. Rathnelly residents organize a one-of-a-kind street festival, held either every year or “when the mood strikes”. The highlight of the festival is a much anticipated pancake breakfast that Rathnelly residents literally flip over.

HOMES

Rathnelly’s impressive Victorian homes are shaded by a canopy of silver maple trees. These solid brick detached and semi-detached houses were built between 1880 and 1910.

RIVERDALE

HISTORY

Riverdale was a small rural community until the Grand Trunk Railway began steaming through here in the 1850’s. The railway brought industry and employment opportunities to Riverdale. It also attracted a pool of labourers who built the first homes in Riverdale, south of the railway tracks. North of Queen Street Riverdale remained largely undeveloped until 1884 when it was annexed by the City of Toronto. At that time Riverdale was called Riverside. The name was probably changed to Riverdale as a reference to the city park of the same name, that has long been a landmark in this area. Riverdale’s development was accelerated in 1918 with the building of Toronto’s largest bridge, the Prince Edward Viaduct. The Viaduct provided Riverdale with an important link to the City of Toronto, west of the Don River, and marked a coming of age for this popular Toronto neighbourhood.

OVERVIEW

North Riverdale from Gerrard to the Danforth is very popular with young affluent professionals, while South Riverdale has traditionally attracted a wide mix of people looking for affordable homes close to downtown. Riverdale is the gateway to Toronto’s east end neighbourhoods. It is a large and diverse community that is especially well known for its colourful shopping districts and quaint Victorian homes.

HOMES

Riverdale’s two and three storey Victorian houses were built largely between 1880 and 1924. These homes are shaded by some of the tallest maple trees in the city. The houses in South Riverdale are on average smaller, older and less expensive than those in North Riverdale. Most of Riverdale’s homes have parking off rear laneways, and permits are available for street parking.

ROSEDALE

HISTORY

Rosedale began when Sherrif William Botsford Jarvis, and his wife Mary settled on a homestead here in the 1820’s. It was Mary Jarvis who came up with the Rosedale name, as a tribute to the profusion of wild roses that graced the hillsides of the Jarvis estate. Mary’s frequent walks and horseback rides through Rosedale, blazed a trail for the meandering and winding streets that are today a Rosedale trademark. The Jarvis family sold the Rosedale homestead in 1864 which led to the subdivision and development of South Rosedale. North Rosedale’s development began in 1909 when a bridge was built over the Park Drive ravine. Prior to its residential development North Rosedale had been the original home of St. Andrews College and the Rosedale Golf Club. It was also the site of the former lacrosse grounds, where the Canadian Football League’s first Grey Cup game was played.

OVERVIEW

For over one hundred years Rosedale has held the distinction of being Toronto’s most fashionable address. Many of Toronto’s wealthiest and most prominent citizens reside in the Rosedale neighbourhood. Rosedale is unique in that it is surrounded by beautiful ravines and parkland that make you feel as if you are far away from the city, while in reality Rosedale is just a few minutes from Toronto’s major business, entertainment, and shopping districts.

HOMES

Rosedale’s Victorian, Georgian, Tudor, and Edwardian style mansions were built between 1860 and 1930. Many Rosedale homes are listed on the Toronto Historical Board’s Inventory of Heritage Properties. South Rosedale also contains a number of condominium, co-operative, and co-ownership apartment buildings. These apartments are surprisingly affordable and provide a good entry into the neighbourhood.

SOUTH ANNEX

HISTORY

The South Annex neighbourhood was subdivided in the early 1850’s, on land formerly owned by the Jarvis, Crookshank and Denison families; all of whom played a prominent role in the history of Toronto. Advertisements promoting Villa and Town lots for sale in the South Annex highlighted “ the close proximity to the locality of the new Parliament Buildings”. The South Annex was also popularly described as being “situated in the most healthy and pleasant part of the City upon a considerable elevation above the Lake”. The establishment of the University of Toronto just east of here, in the late 1850’s, provided the impetus for the building of homes in the South Annex, which took place largely between the 1870’s and early 1900’s.

OVERVIEW

The South Annex is a vibrant and colourful downtown Toronto neighbourhood. Much of the South Annex’s vitality comes from being located right next door to the University of Toronto. Naturally, many University students, faculty, and alumni rent or own houses in the South Annex. The University population mixes well with the young urban professionals who have been buying and fixing up South Annex houses, giving these old houses new life, and in the process revitalizing this historic Toronto neighbourhood.

HOMES

The signature street in the South Annex is Palmerston Boulevard. Stone and iron gateposts, one on College Street and one on Bloor Street, set the tone for this distinctive boulevard which also features decorative cast iron street lamps, ancient trees and grandiose homes. Overall, the houses in the South Annex come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Each house is whimsically decorated with Victorian accents that all blend together to form one of the most pleasing streetscapes of any Toronto neighbourhood. Most South Annex homes are built circa 1870s to 1910.

SOUTH HILL

HISTORY

The South Hill neighbourhood is defined by the Avenue Road Hill. This historic land formation was the former shoreline of ancient Lake Iroquois whose chilly waters receded into present day Lake Ontario some 12,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age. The escarpment that Lake Iroquois left behind was covered by a dense forest interrupted only by the ponds, creeks, and waterfalls that graced the Avenue Road Hill up until the 1900’s. South Hill’s natural beauty made it an instant favourite with wealthy Toronto landowners. In the mid to late 1800’s, South Hill was dotted with mansions that were unsurpassed in variety and scope anywhere else in Toronto. “Oaklands”, the gingerbread mansion overlooking Avenue Road, “Spadina House” at 285 Spadina Road and “Casa Loma”, the 98 room dream home of Sir Henry William Pellatt, still endure from this bygone era.

OVERVIEW

South Hill may not have the same name recognition as a Rosedale or a Forest Hill, but it is every bit as glamorous and exclusive as these other elite Toronto neighbourhoods. South Hill is centrally located near Toronto’s business and entertainment districts, and is also conveniently located near many of Toronto’s highly regarded public, private and Catholic schools.

HOMES

South Hill contains some of the largest houses in Toronto. Many of the homes on the crest of the Avenue Road hill command spectacular views of downtown Toronto, and even offer a distant glimpse of Lake Ontario. The first generation of South Hill homes were built between 1890 and 1920. South Hill also contains a number of townhouses that have been built within the last twenty years. In addition to houses South Hill also possesses luxury rental apartment buildings on both sides of Avenue Road, on the crest of the hill, overlooking the city to the south.

ST. LAWRENCE

HISTORY

The land on which the St. Lawrence neighbourhood is built was originally part of the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Immediately to the north of here, above Front Street, was the Town of York, the forerunner to the City of Toronto. The site of the present day St. Lawrence neighbourhood was created from landfill in the early 1800’s. It was originally intended to serve as a public promenade with a grand Esplanade along the waterfront. However the city turned the land over to the railways, which in turn attracted industry to the St. Lawrence area. By the early 1900’s, St. Lawrence had become one of Toronto’s most prominent industrial centres. It remained a vital industrial area until the late 1940’s, when Toronto’s industrial base began moving outside of the city. Consequently, St. Lawrence went into a period of decline which lasted until the 1970’s, when Toronto politicians made the decision to create the present day St. Lawrence neighbourhood.

OVERVIEW

Planned and developed by the City of Toronto in the 1970’s as a mixed use housing development, the St. Lawrence neighbourhood has been critically acclaimed as a major success story in urban planning. It has become a model for the design and planning of new neighbourhoods across North America.

HOMES

The apartment buildings and townhouses in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood were designed by some of Toronto’s most accomplished architects. The one consistent feature in these designs is the use of red brick exteriors on all the homes. Private and non-profit housing, market rental buildings, and luxury condominiums all co-exist here.

SUMMERHILL

HISTORY

The Summerhill neighbourhood is named after ‘Summer Hill’ house, a magnificent Regency cottage built in 1842, by transportation baron Charles Thompson. Summer Hill stood on the crest of the hill where the houses on Summerhill Gardens are located today. Thompson’s two hundred acre Summer Hill estate stretched from the present day Yonge Street to Mt. Pleasant Road. On this site Thompson established the ‘Summer Hill Spring Park and Pleasure Grounds’. This amusement park featured rides, games, swimming and a popular dance pavilion that was located inside the Summer Hill house. Thompson’s heirs subdivided Summer Hill in the 1860’s. From the 1880’s onward Summerhill’s development revolved around the railway. The first residents of this neighbourhood worked at the North Toronto Railway station which was established on Yonge Street near Summerhill in the 1880’s. This station - rebuilt in 1916 - is distinguished by its grand clock tower and now serves as the neighbourhood liquor store. In the 1920’s the Canadian Pacific Railway made Summerhill their main Toronto station. When Summerhill station closed this neighbourhood went into a period of decline that lasted until the Summerhill subway station opened in 1965. Summerhill has enjoyed a position of prominence among Toronto neighbourhoods ever since.

OVERVIEW

Summerhill’s turn of the century houses, winding tree-lined streets, and abundance of parkland have made it one of Toronto’s most preferred neighbourhoods. It is conveniently located along the Yonge Street corridor, providing Summerhill residents with easy access to Toronto’s downtown business and entertainment districts.

HOMES

Summerhill’s original housing stock consists of semi-detached and detached Victorian houses, and detached Edwardian style houses, built between 1880 and 1915. Many of these houses do not include driveways, however permit street parking is available from the city for a nominal annual fee. Summerhill also contains a large number of modern townhouses, and a handful of low-rise luxury condominium apartment buildings, built mostly in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

TEDDINGTON PARK

HISTORY

Teddington Park formed the northern boundary of the City of Toronto in 1912. That same year, separate plans of subdivision were registered by two prominent Toronto businessman: Nicholas Garland and Robert Dack. These plans led to the eventual building of homes in Teddington Park. Teddington Park’s development as a high-end residential district was inspired by the Rosedale Golf Club, which had moved from Rosedale to the Teddington Park area in 1909. Teddington Park’s older houses on Riverview Drive were originally given descriptive names such as ‘Donnybrook’, ‘Silverwood’, and ‘Treetops’. These names were in lieu of municipal addresses, which were not issued until some time after the houses were built. Some of these houses still display their historical names.

OVERVIEW

The Teddington Park neighbourhood is one of the smallest and most exclusive districts in Toronto. Over the years many important and influential Torontonians have called this neighbourhood their home.

Teddington Park is conveniently located along the Yonge Street corridor however, it is remarkably quiet thanks to its natural boundaries which include the Rosedale Golf Club and the Riverview Drive Ravine.

HOMES

Teddington Park’s houses were built between 1910 and 1935. The signature street in the neighbourhood is Teddington Park Avenue, a wide tree-lined boulevard that contains large Tudor and Georgian style houses. Riverview Drive is a winding, countryfied road, lined by majestic maple trees. The properties on Riverview Drive are especially large as many of these homes back onto the Riverview Drive Ravine.

THE BEACH

HISTORY

The Beach was first settled by the Ashbridge family who came to Canada from Philadelphia, in 1793. Ashbridge’s Bay Park is named after these pioneers. The Ashbridges, and a handful of other families, farmed this district until the latter part of the 1800’s, when many of The Beach properties were subdivided. At that time, large parcels of land were set aside for local parks. Woodbine, Kew Gardens, Scarboro, Balmy Beach and Victoria Park collectively became Toronto’s playgrounds by the lake. These amusement parks also attracted many summer cottagers to the area. By the 1920’s, the City of Toronto was expanding eastward and The Beach was subdivided for year round residential development. Over the years The Beach has emerged as one of Toronto’s most popular neighbourhoods.

OVERVIEW

The Beach looks and feels more like a lakeside resort town, than a big city neighbourhood. In the summertime, thousands of Torontonians and tourists flock to The Beach to walk on The Boardwalk, exercise along the Martin Goodman Trail, relax by the water, or shop and dine at the colourful stores and restaurants along Queen Street. The social centre of The Beach neighbourhood is Kew Gardens, which hosts many annual events including a Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting festival, a Jazz festival, and an Arts and Crafts show. Ed. Note: A long standing debate has ensued over the proper name for this neighbourhood. Some refer to it as The Beach, others as the Beaches. To be politically correct use The Beach, otherwise both are acceptable.

HOMES

The Beach has the greatest variety of architectural house styles of any Toronto neighbourhood. The charm of these homes is accentuated by the tree-lined streets that wind their way down to the lake. Many of the original frame Beach cottages built in the latter half of the 1800’s and the early 1900’s, have been modernized and are still standing today. However, the majority of The Beach homes were built during the 1920’s and 1930’s. The former Greenwood racetrack site located at the foot of Woodbine Avenue is now the site of a large new home development known as The Beach. This large collection of heritage inspired custom built homes will include detached and semi-detached houses, and townhomes. Also included in this mix will be a handful of low-rise condominium apartment buildings.

TODMORDEN VILLAGE

HISTORY

Todmorden Village grew up around a complex of mills and a brewery that operated near the banks of the Don River beginning in 1795. Many of Todmorden’s original families, including the Helliwells and Eastwoods came from Todmorden Village in Yorkshire England. It is this English Village that Todmorden is named after. The Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum situated at the foot of Pottery Road and a small number of workers houses east of Broadview Avenue are vivid reminders of this pioneer community. The history of the Todmorden area north of O’Connor is dominated by the Taylor family who came to the Don Valley in 1834. The Taylors owned all of the land north of O’Connor between Broadview and Woodbine Avenues. The Taylors’ business empire in the Don Valley included paper mills, saw mills, grist mills, and the Don Valley Pressed Brick Works which supplied the bricks for many of Toronto’s houses and commercial buildings.

OVERVIEW

The Todmorden Village neighbourhood is a mature, established community with quiet tree-lined streets and solid brick family homes. The rustic beauty of this neighbourhood is shaped by its location perched atop the ancient slopes of the Don Valley ravine. The vast amount of urban forest that shapes the western and northern boundaries of this neighbourhood make Todmorden Village one of the more peaceful and tranquil settings in Toronto.

HOMES

The houses west of Broadview Avenue consist primarily of Tudor and Cottage style brick homes from the 1930’s and 1940’s. Sprinkled into this mix are Victorian cottages and row houses that date from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. These homes are holdovers from the old Todmorden Village. Many of the houses in this part of the neighbourhood back onto the Don Valley Ravine and enjoy a marvellous view of the city. There are also a handful of low-rise and high-rise apartment buildings situated in this part of the neighbourhood. The six streets north of O’Connor between Pape and Donlands Avenues have been coined “The Golden Triangle” by real estate agents. These charming Tudor style homes were built in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s and include many decorative accents like front porches, leaded glass windows, wood burning fireplaces, beautiful wood trim and hardwood floors. The north-east pocket of Todmorden Village around Four Oaks Park contains some of the prettier stone and brick bungalows in the city. These cosy homes are ideal for singles, couples and empty nesters.

WANLESS PARK

HISTORY

In 1912, Toronto Suburbs Ltd., guided by George Kappele and D.F. Crowagen registered a plan of subdivision for the old Waverley farm at Mount Pleasant Road and Lawrence Avenue. The developers named this new subdivision Waverley Park. Like other Toronto neighbourhoods from this era, the actual building of homes in Waverley Park was stalled initially by the First World War and then by the depression. In 1931 the City of Toronto expropriated the properties in the centre of Waverley Park for the creation of a public park. The Park was named Wanless Park, and eventually the entire neighbourhood adopted this name. Wanless Park, Wanless Road, Wanless Avenue, and Wanless Crescent are all named after John Wanless, a former Toronto alderman and educator.

OVERVIEW

Wanless Park is a very popular neighbourhood among families with young children. The main attraction is Wanless Park, an island of green space right in the centre of the neighbourhood. Wanless Park residents enjoy the convenience of being able to walk to all the local amenities including the Bedford Park Public School and Community Centre, the George Locke Public Library, Yonge Street shopping and the Lawrence subway station.

HOMES

Wanless Park’s solid brick detached houses were built mostly in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Most of the houses are two storey, however there is a sprinkling of bungalows in this neighbourhood as well. Overall the property sizes in Wanless Park are excellent with most homes having at least a thirty foot frontage and either a mutual or private driveway. The majority of Wanless Park houses either face the park or back onto the Riverview Drive ravine.

YORK MILLS

HISTORY

“York” makes reference to the former Town of York - the forerunner to modern day Toronto and “Mills” refers to the grist and saw mills that churned in this valley from 1804 until 1926. There was a distillery, a tannery, a blacksmith shop, three churches, a school, a post office, a toll gate and the Jolly Miller Tavern which is still standing today at 3885 Yonge Street. Another York Mills landmark is St.John’s Anglican Church which began in 1816. The church bells of St.John’s still ring out over the valley every day at noon.

OVERVIEW

York Mills is one of Toronto’s most affluent neighbourhoods. Its mills are long gone replaced by shining office towers and luxury condominiums. Its main arterial roadways including Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue - which were once impassable by car, now serve as major roadways to and from the city core. Yet, despite all these changes York Mills has managed to maintain a peaceful tranquility and natural beauty that has helped make it one of Toronto’s most desirable neighbourhoods.

HOMES

York Mills is famous for its expansive properties, century old trees and lush landscape. All of these trademarks form the perfect backdrop for the executive-style houses found in this neighbourhood. The original York Mills housing stock dates from the late 1920’s to the 1960’s. There are pockets of Tudor inspired manor houses, English Cottage style designs, and contemporary designs. There are also large numbers of ranch-style bungalows and split-level houses which are gradually being replaced by large new custom-built homes. York Mills also has its share of luxury condominium apartment buildings that have recently been built on the well treed hills around the Yonge Street and York Mills Road intersection. The Bayview Mills condominium townhouses located at the north-east corner of Bayview Avenue and York Mills Road provide entry level prices into this exclusive neighbourhood.

YORKVILLE

HISTORY

Yorkville was subdivided in the 1830’s, by a prominent brewer named Joseph Bloor, and by Sheriff William Botsford Jarvis who also founded the Rosedale neighbourhood.

Yorkville was named after the Town of York, the forerunner to the City of Toronto. Yorkville was incorporated as a Village in 1853. The initials and trades of Yorkville’s first council members are displayed on the Village coat of arms which is now on the tower of the historic Yorkville Fire Hall, located at 34 Yorkville Avenue.

In 1883, Yorkville had the distinction of being the first village annexed by the City of Toronto. Despite being part of a big city, Yorkville has always maintained its own identity. It had gained notoriety first as a hippie haven in the 1960’s, and then became known as a shopping mecca in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

OVERVIEW

Yorkville is one of Toronto’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. It is an eclectic mix of luxury condominium apartment buildings, commercial office towers, four star hotels, theatres, gourmet restaurants, a prestigious shopping district and picture postcard Victorian homes.

The commercial heart of Yorkville is located on both Yorkville Avenue and on Cumberland Street. The transition to Yorkville’s quiet residential pocket is gradual, as Victorian houses shift from retail to residential uses in a seamless pattern that is uniquely Yorkville.

HOMES

Yorkville’s gentrified Victorian houses were built mainly between 1870 and 1895. These historical homes exhibit many decorative features including ornamental brick patterns, gingerbread gables, cast iron fences, and richly landscaped gardens. Many of Yorkville’s houses are listed on the Toronto Historical Board’s Inventory of Heritage Properties.