Church-Yonge Corridor

Average sold price freehold (2009): $629,396

Average sold price condo (2009): $303,122

Postal code: M5B and M4Y

Boundaries: Bloor St E— Queen St E; Jarvis St — Yonge St

Subway Stations: Bloor-Yonge, Wellesley, College, Dundas and Queen

At the heart of the Church Yonge Corridor is Church and Wellesley, a friendly area which has been known for a long time as the gay and lesbian neighbourhood of Toronto, with most bars, restaurants, and stores catering to the LGBT community. Church and Wellesley is also the home of Toronto’s annual Pride Week, which celebrates the diversity of the LGBT community every June. Sprawled between Gerrard and Dundas is Ryerson University, and naturally the area is crowded with students rushing to and from classes. A little further south, in the Garden District of Toronto, is the famous St. Michael’s Cathedral – one of the oldest churches in the city.

Real Estate: With a mix of multi-unit dwellings, condos and houses — there’s something for everyone in this neighbourhood. There are a few gorgeous century old Victorian homes along Gloucester, some of which double as income properties, and quaint rowhouses along McGill and Granby which are especially popular among young couples starting families. A few older condos along Maitland and Charles come on the market frequently. The Mansions at Jarvis is a true loft conversion of one of Jarvis Street’s original mansions, but rarely come up for sale. The Masonic Hall Lofts at Gloucester and Yonge, though rarely sold, are a true treasure, with a few of the units offering 20-foot ceilings with massive skylights.

Parks: There aren’t any well known parks in this neighbourhood, but there are several parkettes, like Dundonald Parkette, in between condo buildings here and there, where residents can take their dogs on walks.

Hot Spots:

Fuzion — 580 Church St
This 120-year old Victorian house has been converted into a fine dining restaurant with two elegant patios. The street-side terrace, complete with portico, has a casual vibrancy, while the other more formal one offers a chic atmosphere.

Bull Dog Coffee- 89 Granby St
This dark haven is well-known by Toronto’s coffee connoisseurs, it features coffee-flavoured décor and offers the city’s best espresso-based signature drinks like the Blanco Bull Dog.

The Yoga Sanctuary — 2 College St
The Yoga Sanctuary, a haven for inward journeys, offers yoga enthusiasts a warm and spacious studio and a complex array of Ashtanga, Hatha and Vinyasa classes.