Entries Tagged 'Neighbourhood Guide' ↓

Average sold price freehold (2009): $1,084,667

Average sold price condo (2009): $646,021

Postal code: M5R

Boundaries: C.P.R Tracks (Marlborough Ave) – Bloor St W; Yonge St – Avenue Rd

Subway Stations: Bloor-Yonge, Bay and Rosedale

Yorkville is Toronto’s posh neighbourhood, with designer boutiques, luxury hotels and spas and upscale restaurants lining the streets. The city’s elite crowd is drawn to this neighbourhood, as owning an address in Yorkville has always been considered a status symbol and naturally, real estate in this area commands a hefty premium. The lifestyle in this area is unlike anywhere else in Toronto, where influential people, celebrities and affluent tourists wander about the streets dressed to the nines to flaunt off their Chanel bags and Hermí¨s scarfs. At the foot of the neighbourhood is the Yonge-Bloor subway station, a transfer point below a very high-density area, which makes it by far the busiest subway station in Toronto, serving a combined total of approximately 380,390 people a day.

Real Estate: This is where you will find the city’s most expensive condos, many of which start at $1,000,000. The Regency Yorkville is an ultra-luxurious New York style art deco condominium, The Hazelton Hotel and Private Residences is nine storey terraced, limestone building which was designed to set the standard for five-star living, The Prince Arthur and 10 Bellair are further examples of high end living. There are, however, a few more affordable condos along Scollard primarily, for those who want the postal code without shelling out over half a million for a 1 bedroom.

Apart from condos, the neigbhourhood offers a variety of million dollar homes and the odd worker’s cottage. The NY Brownstone style rowhouses are found along Belmont, the narrow Victorian semis and rowhouses along Macpherson and a handful of stunning homes on Gibson and Roxborough.

Parks: Yorkville Park is a series of unique gardens and architectural fountains on the south side of Cumberland. Designed by Oleson Worland Architects, it was devised to reflect the diversity of the Canadian landscape.

Hot Spots:

One Restaurant at the Hazelton Hotel — 116 Yorkville Ave
ONE Restaurant showcases his impeccable standards of food production and service — a sure match for the standards of excellence set by the Hazelton operation as a whole.

Pusateri’s — 57 Yorkville Ave
World renowned for exceptional products, superior quality, freshness and customer service; Pusateri’s has built an enviable reputation as one Toronto’s best fine foods markets.

Hair on the Avenue — 112 Avenue Rd
Very popular among the city’s fashionable, Hair on the Avenue channels art deco elegance in its furnishings. The stylists are always on trend, and offer something for everyone whether it’s a $300 cut or $70 cut.

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.

Average sold price freehold (2009): N/A; (2010): N/A

Average sold price condo (2009): $377,214; (2010): $381,377

Postal code: M5G

Boundaries: Wellesley St W – Dundas St W; Church St — University Ave

Subway Stations: College, Dundas, Queen St, Osgoode, St. Patrick and Queen’s Park

The discovery district neighbourhood is dominated by hospitals and research institutions, but it’s also home to the MaRS Discovery District Research Facility. Also nearby, you will find Yonge and Dundas Square — the busiest, loudest and most vibrant intersection in the city. The square, surrounded on all sides by gigantic commercial billboards, is used for concerts, film screenings and experiential advertising. This area is considered by many to be the centre of the city, it is perfectly located right in the middle of a TTC pocket – walk in any direction and you’ll find a subway station.

Real Estate: There are lots of condos in the area and with the U of T campus in such close proximity they are populated by mostly student renters. Condos like The Met, at Yonge and College, and Lumií¨re, at Bay and College, are popular because of their ideal location. They provide residents with a long list of amenities and are within walking distance to bars, restaurants and of course — the Eaton’s Centre.

Parks: Nathan Philips Square is an urban plaza that forms the forecourt to Toronto CIty Hall. It is predominantly known for the reflecting pool (that serves as a skating rink in the winter) and three concrete arches that span over-top of the pool.

Hot Spots:

Eaton’s Centre — 220 Yonge St
The largest shopping mall and office complex in Toronto, the Eaton’s Centre contains a wide selection of 230 stores, restaurants and two food courts. Considered Toronto’s top tourist attraction, the mall brings in a grand amount of approx. one million visitors per week.

Pogue Mahone — 777 Bay St
Featuring a classic pub menu, this Irish joint provides the perfect backdrop for the after work crowd and college students out on a typical evening.

Oro — 45 Elm St
This fine dining venue is all about the simple, classic taste of Italy. A large array of appetizers, mains and desserts are all available on the extensive menu.

Average sold price freehold (2009): N/A; (2010): N/A

Average sold price condo (2009): $345,146; (2010): $376,810

Postal code: M5V and M5J

Boundaries: Wellington St W — Toronto Islands; Church St — Strachan Ave

Subway Stations: Union

Separated from the rest of downtown Toronto by the Gardiner Expressway, Harbourfront  feels like a city within a city. Toronto’s waterfront has been a subject of much debate, as the area has been criticized for not having enough garden walkways, parks or green space. Despite all this, there have been recent developments like the HTO park (a faux beach packed with bright yellow umbrellas), the Waterfront Wave Decks and the Martin Goodman trail. Harbourfront has remained a popular place for families, tourists, cyclists and runners, especially on Summer weekends, when Harbourfront plays host to Toronto’s International Music and Food Festivals.

Real Estate: Cityplace, to the north of the Gardiner at Spadina, is the master-planned community which holds the title as the largest condo development in Toronto. The 6 building, 1,500 unit complex offers residents fantastic amenities (a Fitness Facility, Squash, Tennis, an Indoor Running Track, Pool, Sauna and Bowling Alley — to list a few), but gives off a campus-like vibe with a younger demographic and a large population of renters. You’ll also find an abundance of cookie-cutter condos offering that spectacular view of the lake along Queens Quay as well. Also included in the Harbourfront area are homes on the Toronto Islands where some prime real estate is located. The island’s quaint cottage style homes rarely go up for sale, and when they do, they are sold to applicants placed on a government-instituted waiting list via lottery.

Parks: The award-winning Toronto Music Garden is unlike any other park in Toronto. It was designed to interpret in nature the music of Bach’s first suite. It is a place where young and old alike can enjoy summer concerts and gorgeous landscape.

Hot Spots:

Toula — 1 Harbour Square
Located on the 38^th floor of the Westin Harbour Castle, Toula offers guests not only a fine dining experience, but also one of the best panoramic views in the city. Best time to go is when the sun is setting and the city lights are glimmering.

Harbourfront Centre Sailing and Powerboating — 275 Queens Quay W
Formerly known as Queen’s Quay Yachting, the centre offers those who are curious about sailing an excellent opportunity to learn. The introduction to sailing courses allow students of all ages experience the sport hands on with some of Toronto’s best sailing instructors.

The Fairmont Royal York Hotel – 100 Front St W
This historic hotel has been a luxurious contribution to the Toronto skyline since 1929.  The hotel offers its discerning guests elegant accommodations in a heritage setting, it also serves as a prime wedding venue for affluent brides.

Average sold price freehold (2009): $622,414; (2010): $682,126; (2011): $640,713; (2012): $724,498

Average sold price condo (2009): $423,011; (2010): $411,442; (2011): $428,075; (2012): $421,152

Boundaries: Queen St W — Wellington St W; University Ave — Dovercourt Rd

Subway Stations: St Andrews and Osgoode

This swanky King West postal code is one of the most desired in Toronto. With some of the most sought after lofts, rows of cool ad agencies and the hottest nightlife, it is where the city’s most fashionable crowd lives, works and plays. King St West, between Peter and Simcoe, takes centre stage — this is where you’ll  find rows of vibrant restaurants all competing for attention as well as some of the best theatres in the city. In September, when the Toronto International Film Festival rolls in, this area becomes swarmed with high profile celebrities and celebrity followers.

Real Estate: Tucked into the side streets along King West is where you’ll find the lofts that generate the most hype — the Quad Lofts on Brant St, the Fashion District Lofts on Morrison, the Zen Lofts on Camden to name a few. There are a few new developments to look out for as well. The Festival Tower is getting a lot of buzz, as it will be the new permanent home of the Toronto International Film Festival Group. The tower will feature 5-Star Hotel-Inspired services including room service, housekeeping, valet parking, and much more. The Shangri-la is also underway; this ritzy hotel will exude modern opulence in the midst of the business district, offering luxury accommodation to the most discerning guests.

This narrow neighbourhood produces a very big supply of condos, selling over 700 units every year. Further, with the heavy influx of pre-construction condo developments, the area has a hard time keeping it’s value steady.

The majority of freehold in the neighbourhood are Victorian rowhouses, but there aren’t too many of them. In contrast to the endless supply of condos, it seems that every year less than 50 freehold properties are sold.

Parks: Clarence Square, though quite small, is one of the oldest remaining park spaces in the downtown core of Toronto. The park became a largely neglected space however when the rail yards and industrial warehouses inhabited areas adjacent to the park.

Hot Spots:

Brant House — 1 Brant St
This bar lounge is popular among the advertising agency crowd. The retro-chic design features cozy booths set around smooth maple floors. The tables disappear when dining is done and the space turns into a sumptuous dance club, with a house DJ spinning lounge beats.

Spice Route — 499 King St W
This massive bistro/bar features fire torches, waterfalls, hand-carved Buddha statues and an array of rich, Asian-inspired colours throughout.  It is a gorgeous new spot that caters to hybrid foodie drinkers — those who want to dine on top-notch nosh, but stay and stay for drinks on once their meal is done.

Hammam Spa — 602 King St W
Described as an urban retreat, Hammam Spa is a holistic day spa infuses old world traditional treatments with modern day services, offering the highest quality facilities, products, and spa treatments within a breathtaking and innovative environment.

Average sold price freehold: N/A

Average sold price condo (2009): $298,249; (2010): $312,852; (2011):$317,816; (2012): $399,837

Boundaries: King St E to Gardiner Expressway; Parliament St — Yonge St

Subway Stations: King St and Union

What the neighbourhood is commonly known for is the St Lawrence Market — where people from all corners of the city hurry down on a Saturday morning to buy an assortment of imported cheeses, meats and fresh locally grown produce. It’s not the only historical landmark; however, the area is also famous for the Flatiron building at the corner of Church and Wellington.  Much of the old industrial buildings have been torn down though, and replaced with dozens of condos — where many of the financial district’s yuppies call home.

Real Estate: You’ll find a number of older condos of the 1990s along The Esplanade and Front St, but you’ll also find a few lofts along King St E. The St Lawrence Market Lofts, once used as a warehouse, are now converted into units any foodie would die for — with exposed brick, wooden beams and hardwood flooring throughout.

Parks: St James Park, located next to St James Cathedral, is a quiet little green space with a few sculptures here and there, well kept gardens and a gazebo in the centre. It’s mostly used by yuppies walking their dogs before and after work, the occasional homeless person lying around, and wedded couples posing for photos in June.

Hot Spots:

Sony Centre for the Performing Arts — 1 Front St E
Currently undergoing extensive renovations, the Sony Centre is set to reopen October 2010. Through innovative programming on the stage and the use of state-of-the art technologies throughout the venue, the Sony Centre will entice and engage the community as a Theatre of the 21st Century.

Origin – 107 King Street East
A newly opened Tapas restaurant at the corner  of King St E and Church, Origin is the latest endeavor by Claudio Aprile (of Colborne Lane). It has gorgeous décor and a full flavor menu, it’s place you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.

Pravda – 44 Wellington Street East
Toronto’s original vodka cellar which houses Pravda’s extensive vodka selection. It caters to an older crowd, but a place anyone with a liking for vodka and old Russian décor should experience. The Russian national anthem is played every hour on the hour.

Average sold price freehold (2009): $558,690; (2010): $634,972; (2011): $671,484; (2012): $831,980

Average sold price condo (2009): $444,730; (2010): $463,501; (2011): $506,202; (2012): $469,120

Boundaries: College St – King St W; Bathurst St — Dovercourt Rd

Subway Stations: Christie, Ossington and Bathurst

Often described as one Toronto’s ‘cooler’ neighbourhoods, its home to young hipsters, creative types and the newly redeveloped CAMH — centre for addiction and mental health . You’re sure to find it’s one of the busiest neighbourhoods on the weekend, when Torontonians from every side of the city will venture down to Trinity Bellwoods park to play with their dogs or hang out with friends. It’s also the area where some of Toronto’s most renowned Restauranteurs have opened their modern age, extremely artistic eateries and modish bars.

Real Estate: You’ll find everything here, from sad looking 2 bedroom fixer-uppers where 6 student renters share a single bathroom to gorgeous tall, narrow Victorian homes with beautifully landscaped gardens. At the corner of Queen St W and Crawford, stands the remarkable Candy Factory Lofts — the original hard loft conversion that started the ‘must-have-a-loft’ craze.

Parks: Trinity Bellwoods, mostly known as the leash-less dog park, has two indoor pools, gymnasium, fitness centre, indoor walking/running track and multi-purpose rooms. Adjacent to the centre, in the park, are a volleyball court, large playground, and children’s outdoor wading pool. Also in the park are eight outdoor tennis courts located in the south-east corner and an outdoor ice skating rink at the north-east boundary. There is also field space for soccer, football, and rugby, as well as three softball fields along the east boundary.

Hot Spots:

Nyood — 1096 Queen Street West
Rooted in the tradition, yet influenced by the contemporary, Nyood is a celebration of food in its purest essence. But if the menu doesn’t win you over, the over the top futuristic décor will.

The Drake Hotel — 1150 Queen Street West
The Drake Hotel is one of the sleekest joints in town. It has 19 crash pads, a European-influenced lounge, raw sushi bar, neighbourhood cafe, licensed rooftop patio, yoga studio, treatment room, restaurant and last, but not least – The Underground.

69 Vintage — 1100 Queen Street West
Owned by the same people who run the Social, right next door, this is the one of the best vintage clothing shops in the city. You’ll find re-worked vintage and other unique finds at a bargain price.

Average sold price freehold (2009): N/A

Average sold price condo (2009): $325,598; (2010): $366,546; (2011): $350,541; (2012): $410, 484

Boundaries/Map: GO train tracks — Gardiner Expressway; Strachan Ave — Dufferin St

Closest Subway Stations: St Andrews and Union

It feels like a city within a city, Liberty Village is a haven for art galleries and home design shops. The quiet neighbourhood is west of railway tracks, away from the loud hustle and bustle of the downtown core. The area was once an industrial park, but now many of the old abandoned factories have been converted into lofts, design studios and restaurants.

Real Estate: You’ll find rows and rows of indistinguishable modern condominium-townhomes along Western Battery Rd and Lynn Williams St. 

Also to the north of King along Laidlaw and Joe Shuster Way there are rows upon rows of reddish bricks and white trim.

Head over to the west end of the neighbourhood and you’ll find the charming Toy Factory Lofts on Hanna Ave. Converted from the old Irwin Toy Factory, the developers kept the original solid Douglas fir posts.

Over the last three years, more and more condo towers have popped up somewhat saturating the area. However, good design and generous amenities keep residents happy. 

Parks: Head south and you’ll run into the Exhibition Place – a 197—acre area which features expo, trade, and banquet centres, theatre and music buildings, parkland, sports facilities, and a number of civic, provincial, and national historic sites. Go north and you’ll find the Lamport Stadium, marked mainly for Canadian Soccer.

Hot Spots
Kingwest Fitness – 171 East Liberty Street #275
Kingwest Fitness is a spacious fitness club in a beautifully restored factory; it has massive windows, soaring ceilings, wooden beams and the whole nine yards.

Haveli Home – 171 East Liberty Street #113
This furniture store is part shop, part museum of Indian collectibles. A lot of the pieces feel like ancient relics, snippets and bits of ancient cultures air-dropped into Canada.

Maro — 135 Liberty St
Maro, a stunning Pan-Asian-inspired restaurant offers guests an exciting “East meets West” menu followed by a lively post-dinner experience.

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.

Average sold price freehold (2009): $877,902; (2010): $972,196; (2011): $947,180; (2012): $1,143,765; (2013): $1,067,914

Average sold price condo (2009): $458,350; (2010): $427,006; (2011): $447,406; (2012): $423,136; (2013): $485,321

MLS Boundaries: Briar Hill Ave – Chaplin Cres/ Avenue Rd – Yonge St

Subway Stations: Eglinton, Lawrence and Davisville

Also known as ‘Yonge and Eligible’, this uptown neighbourhood is crawling with yuppies. It has the ‘rush’ of downtown, yet the ‘calm’ of uptown. With countless number of restaurants, outdoor patios and boutique shops, it’s the hottest place to be on Saturday afternoon. The area is home to a number of businesses, notably Canadian Tire, whose corporate head office is located in the Canada Square office complex.

Real Estate: For the  most part, the neighbourhood offers mainly 2 storey semis and classic 2 storey detached — with a classic look and feel. 

There are very few condo buildings on the west side – the very popular development of condos and apartments for rent can be found on the east side of Yonge Street. Quiet boutique condos can be found along Edith and Oriole Parkway, and they tend to be bigger in size. The former Hunt Eglinton Hunt Club clubhouse is located at 1111 Avenue. Today, the Hunt Club is a luxurious condo conversion, featuring 21 rarely offered units. 

Parks: Eglinton Park, located a few blocks west of Eglinton Subway Station, has two baseball diamonds, soccer fields, a splash pool, and a kids playground. Outdoor tennis courts are turned into skating rinks in the winter.

Hot Spots
SilverCity Yonge-Eglinton Centre – 2300 Yonge Street
This movie theater is located in the heart of Yonge and Eglinton and it’s the perfect place for friends to meet up or couples who want to catch a flick after dinner.

North 44 – 2537 Yonge Street
Named after the city’s latitude, this contemporary restaurant offers its sophisticated guests an elegant dining experience.

Planet Nails – 2313A Yonge Street
This cute little salon is the place to go for a budget mani/pedi. They have hundreds of colours to choose from and you can be certain they’ll do a thorough job.