Palmerston – Little Italy

Average sold price freehold (2009): $628,776; (2010): $744,560; (2011): $828,794; (2012):$891,574

Average sold price condo (2009): $375,259; (2010): $435,897 (2011): $460,041; (2012): $461,057

Boundaries: Bathurst St — Dovercourt Rd, Bloor St W – College St

Subway Stations: Bathurst, Christie, Ossington and Queen’s Park

The distinctly warm neighbourhood is now demographically more Portuguese, but the atmosphere is still very much Italian. The lively Little Italy is packed with trattorias, pizzerias and cafés. The sidewalks are buzzing with activity on weekends — especially in the summer, with locals and visitors sipping espressos on outdoor patios. The nightlife in the area is thriving, and though the martini bars and ambient lounges cater to an older demographic, the young professionals from all over town make their way to College St for a night out. Also popular is the annual Taste of Little Italy – a street festival which always draws a large crowd over to listen to live music and sample various samples of Italian cuisine.

Real Estate: Little Italy is home to a wide array of mixed and matched houses on small lots, everything from grand Edwardians with cozy porches along Euclid, old Victorian homes along Palmerston — some which are equally gorgeous on the inside — to duplexes and triplexes throughout the neighbourhood. There are plenty of renters in this area as many of homes have a basement suite with a separate entrance — they double as income properties.

There a few authentic lofts in Little Italy — the Button Factory Lofts on Clinton is, as the name says, a former button factory. The Movie House Lofts on Euclid was once an actual movie house. Both buildings feature soaring ceilings, exposed brick and original hardwood. There aren’t many units in either of these buildings, and as a result, they don’t come on the market too often. The Europa Condos are a good alternative, they’re more affordable and the architecture blends right in with the street. Generally, there is a limited supply of lofts and condos in Little Italy, further, very few come up for sale each year.

Parks: Bickford Park, located at Grace and Harbord, is popular as it is one of the few areas in Toronto where dog owners can let their dogs off the leash. The park also has a great playground and a small baseball diamond.

Hot Spots:

The Mod Club — 722 College St
The night club lives up to its name with Mod themed artwork splashed on the walls and all the latest Brit indie, pop, rock and electronic pumping on a Saturday night.

Vivoli — 655 College St
This College Street establishment has a vibrant yet elegant atmosphere in which to enjoy classic Italian cuisine.

Café Diplomatico — 594 College St
This popular destination has become a Toronto institution for coffee lovers. Affectionately known as “The Dip” by locals, the café is often used as a set by filmmakers.