Average sold price freehold (2009): $478,404; (2010): $537,899 (2011): $597,794 (2012): $651,927

Average sold price condo (2011):$387,382  (2012):$389,095

Postal code: M6J

Boundaries: College St — King St W, Dovercourt Rd – GO train tracks

Closest Subway Stations: Dufferin and Lansdowne

The neighbourhood is named after the ethnic group that settled into the area after emigrating from Portugal. Although the Portuguese and Brazilian families still have a strong presence in the neighbourhood, young parents, who are drawn by affordable prices, are moving in and raising children. Little Portugal has undergone rapid gentrification in the recent years, and art gallery owners, condo developers and entrepreneurs are taking advantage and setting up shop. Dundas St West is a great example of the Portuguese charm that brings the neighbours together, with its numerous Portuguese bakeries, Brazilian soccer bars and various shops.

Real Estate: The narrow one way streets of Little Portugal are lined with old Victorian homes and contemporary semis. Some of the better maintained Victorians can be found along Mackenzie, many of which are fully renovated and restored.

There are several bland looking townhouses with a lower price tag along Argyle. Every other house in the area is either a duplex, triplex or has an ‘in-law suite’ – a non-retrofit basement unit usually occupied by student tenants.

Dovercourt is also home to the historic Ideal Bread Company, a bakery built in the 1900s. The building was converted into lofts in 2006, and the units are impressive. The original suites contain 18 foot ceilings, exposed duct work, concrete beams and pillars, long windows and the whole nine yards.

South of Queen St along Laidlaw and Joe Shuster is a condo townhouse development, popular among young couples looking for a cheaper alternative close to work.

Parks: The Popular Trinity Bellwoods park is just east of Little Portugal. However, a major hub of activity in the area today is McCormick Park, home to McCormick Recreation Centre and Arena on Brock Avenue. This area has long been a focal point for youth living in the area.

Hot Spots:

The Atlantic — 1597 Dundas St. W
Envisioned by Chef Nathan Isberg, the restaurant features an ever-changing, very risky menu of the perfectly edible creatures and animal parts, like crickets, whelks, and salmon heads.

Nosso Talho Meat Shop – 1326 Dundas St. W
This long-standing Portuguese butcher offers nearly every porcine cut imaginable.

Nova Era Bakery – 1172 Dundas St. W
One of several locations, this original location on Dundas West still makes the delicious Portuguese style cornbread they’re famous for.

The streets are buzzing with crowds dressed to the nines – they’re all dining in Yorkville, hurrying to catch a premiere or off to a ritzy party in King West. The Toronto International Film Festival is here for the 35^th time since it was founded at The Windsor Arms Hotel back in ’76.

The glitz and glamour has always been centered in the heart of Yorkville, but this year the Entertainment District is certainly getting a lot of attention.

Toronto is buzzing about TIFF’s official new home ‘The Bell Lightbox and Festival Tower’ designed by the architectural firm KPMB, which stands tall at the corner of King and John.  As of today, construction crews are still working hard on the finishing touches, but the building already looks glamorous.

The official launch is this Sunday September 12, 2010 — TIFF and company are kicking it off with a free public block party from 11am – 4pm.

Inspired by Hollywood Luxury, The Festival Tower is a project unlike any other Toronto has seen before. The alluring tagline says it all “If a condominium could be compared to a film, Festival Tower would sweep the Oscars!” In true movie star style, even the suites are named after some of Hollywood’s most acclaimed celebrities.

Targeted towards Toronto’s elite, The Festival Tower welcomes residents and guests like a red carpet event with their red lobby doors. The purpose is to make you feel like a celebrity once you set foot inside. If the granite floors and walnut walls aren’t enough of a luxury statement, the condo offers residents a five star hotel service, which pampers them and takes care of their every need.

The Festival Tower isn’t completely sold out — so if living the celebrity lifestyle has always been a dream, you still have your chance to make it a reality!

For more information on The Festival Tower, send an email to hanna@hannainthecity.com

Average sold price freehold: N/A

Average sold price condo (2009): $356,354; (2010): $381,939; (2011): $405,258; (2012): $390,357

Boundaries: Eastern Ave — Gardiner Expressway, D.V.P. — Parliament St

Closest Subway Stations: King and Union

The Distillery District is rich in history and Victorian era industrial architecture. Many of the red-brick heritage buildings, once owned by the former Gooderham and Worts Distillery, have been converted into quaint courtyards, cafés, high-end furniture shops and restaurants. The compact neighbourhood is comprised of only 10 or so streets but it certainly has charm and character, especially after dark when the street lamps turn on — the cobblestone streets glow.

The West Donlands, just west of the D.V.P. – a historically industrial area, was vacant land up until 2011. The city of Toronto is currently developing the land as an athletes village for the 2015 Pan Am games.  Once the Pan Am games are complete,  the revitalization of the area will ultimately lead to the development of new communities.

Real Estate: In the midst of the Discovery District are a few residential buildings that integrate themselves very well into the historic surrounding. The Pure Spirit Lofts on Mill St is a complex developed by the award winning Cityscape — featuring an outdoor pool on the podium with a clear view of the CN tower and city skyline. The Knitting Mill Lofts on Queen St E were converted from an old warehouse.

Parks: Corktown Common, east of the Bayview extension and south of King St W, something for everyone. The playgrounds, splash pad, athletic field and open lawns can be used for informal gatherings or organized activities. The flexible outdoor space, tables, benches, bbq and fireplace offer welcoming spots for people to meet and socialize.

Hot Spots:

The Boiler House — 55 Mill St #46
The Boiler House Restaurant offers a succulent chophouse style menu with in an industrial chic setting. The large outdoor cabanas feature elegant furniture with billowing curtains and oversized parasols, perfect for after-work drinks.

Distill Gallery — 55 Mills St #47
Distill shows the individual handmade works by over 100 Canadian artists, craftspeople and designers contributing to the contemporary material and visual culture.

Akroyd Furniture Artscape — 55 Mill St #74
The studio designs and builds one-off pieces of custom furniture from sustainable local hardwood and mixed media.

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.

Average sold price freehold (2009): $1,089,374

Average sold price condo (2009): $623,102

Postal code: M5R

Boundaries: Dupont St — Bloor St W, Avenue Rd — Bathurst St

Subway Stations: St. George, Spadina, Bathurst and Dupont

The Annex gives off the college neighbourhood vibe; due to its close proximity to U of T, it has a heavy population of students and faculty. As result, much of the area’s shops, restaurants, pubs and book stores along Bloor St W are aimed to attract the young student demographic. Nevertheless, the neighbourhood is quite affluent with some of the most expensive homes (to rent and to own) in Toronto lining the leafy streets. The neighbourhood is also famous for two historically significant landmarks — Honest Ed’s, Toronto first true bargain store, opened in 1948 by Ed Mirvish; and the much older Casa Loma, a Gothic Revival style mansion built in 1914, which is now a museum.

Real Estate:This area is renowned for the ‘Annex style’ houses, which typically feature large rounded Romanesque arches along with Queen Anne style decorative items such as turrets. Most often these gorgeous homes are made of red brick, but a few are made of sandstone; many of them can be found along Brunswick.

Along Admiral, you’ll find some spectacular, stately Edwarian homes. Many of these Annex style homes are quite large, especially those along Walmer, and have since been subdivided into smaller apartments. Along St George and Brunswick, some of the homes have been converted into 2-3 unit condos.

The Loretto Lofts, on Brunswick, are a designated heritage structure – gorgeous and fabulously well-maintained. Units in the condo on Prince Arthur are more affordable, and are sold more frequently.

Parks: Christie Pits Park is just on the outskirts of the traditional Annex boundaries — it could also be considered part of the West Annex, at the corner of Bloor St W and Christie. The park is best known for its baseball diamonds, one of which is full-sized and fenced that was named “Dominico Field”. The sides of the pits are highly sloped, and are used in winter for tobogganing.

Hot Spots:

The Madison Avenue Pub — 14 Madison Ave
A very popular meeting place for singles, this bar — which was converted from two old Victorian houses – is populated by young professionals, frat boys, and preppy students. The place gets packed fast and those keen on getting a table make sure to arrive early.

Green Room – 296 Brunswick Ave
A staple of U of T art students, this exceptionally hard-to-find and seedy looking bar, with a ton of character, offers some surprisingly affordable and good meal options.

The Bloor Street Cinema — 506 Bloor St W
A century-old, independent movie theatre that often features classic favourites in addition to current box office hits. Every Hallowe’en, they have a special midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

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.