Kensington Market – China Town (MLS 0960)

Average sold price freehold (2009): $559,816 (2010): $646,078; (2011): $682,190; (2012): $782,461; (2013): $858,106

Average sold price condo (2009): $363,136; (2010): $375,869; (2011):$390,594; (2012): $398,071; (2013): $426,647

Boundaries: College St — Queen St W; Bathurst St — University Ave

Subway Stations: Queens Park, St. Patrick and Osgoode

Kensington Market is definitely a little neighbourhood, but certainly has more character than any other area in the city. On any given day, you’re sure to find Toronto’s neo-hippies walking in and out of the vintage shops along Augusta, artist types sipping on a café latte at the popular ‘I Deal Coffee’ Café or students on bikes looking for $3 pho. However, the neighbourhood is mostly known for its charming Chinese grocery stores and fruit stands along Spadina.

Real Estate: The Kensington Lofts on Baldwin and Nassau are a popular choice for students and young professionals. The buildings were originally used as a part of George Brown College and were converted in 1999. You’ll also find a mix of late Victorian fixer-uppers and a characteristic array of row houses built in the late 1800s.

The Gardens at Queen is a condo townhouse development built in 2006, featuring beautiful rows of cream coloured stucco tucked away on the quiet Carr St. Surrounded by green trees and quaint lamp posts, you wouldn’t know you were just a minute away from the loud and chaotic Queen St W.

Parks: Grange Park, west of OCAD and south of AGO, features a wading pool, children’s playground, and numerous trees and walkways.

Hot Spots
Globo Cheese Shoppe — 76 Kensington Ave
Your go to place if you’re hosting a wine and cheese soiree. They offer more than 150 varieties, from mild bocconcini to the greenest of Gorgonzola, and the staff is generous with samples.

Art Gallery of Ontario — 317 Dundas St W
The AGO’s collection includes more than 68,000 works spanning the 1st century to the present-day. It’s a perfect place to bring your friends from out of town.

Free Times Café — 320 College St
A staple on the Toronto roots music scene for three decades, the Free Times Café is the place for meeting friends and listening to intimate music performed by soulful artists.