Tag Archives: Bloor West Village
West Toronto Junction
West Toronto Junction has managed to retain its original small town charm and appeal despite it’s prime location in Toronto’s bustling west end. Ironically the same railway tracks that skirt this neighbourhood and were responsible for it growth have seemingly also had the dual impact of sheltering the West Toronto Junction from the widespread gentrification that has taken place in many Toronto neighbourhoods. It is a little bit off the beat and path but well worth discovering.
Billed by many as the next West Queen West, The Junction is already attracting artists and entrepreneurs for its cheaper rents and converted industrial and warehouse spaces. A raw food restaurant and organic grocer are two recent additions to the Dundas West strip, joining established residents like Vesuvio (touted by fans as the best pizza in the city). The neighbourhood is also turning into something of a furniture and design destination, sporting three great shops in Post + Beam Reclamation, Forever Interiors and Smash.
Travel a few blocks east and you enter the Junction Triangle, often taken as a separate neighbourhood, squeezed in between the Junction, Roncevalles and Bloordale Village (in the literal triangle of rail lines bounded roughly by Dundas, Landsdowne and Dupont). In 2009, a contest was run to come up with a new name for the area, both to distinguish it from the Junction proper, as well as to reflect its historical ties to the railroad.
West Junction Real Estate Map
So named for its location among four rail lines built in the late 1800s, The Junction has shed its reputation as a ’hood from the wrong side of the tracks. Thanks to cheaper rents and real estate values, it’s home to burgeoning numbers of families and transplanted downtowners who have been priced out of the core.
Close to High Park and Bloor West Village, The Junction offers the same easy access to transit and reliably good schools and its late 19th and early 20th century homes are more affordable than its sister neighbourhoods (though the gap is shrinking).
West Toronto Junction is still affordable and appeals to a wide demographic from young families, to artists to urban professionals. This is as true a neighbourhood as you are likely to find in Toronto. It has a strong sense of pride and history, a beautiful main street shopping district on Dundas Street West, cherished local schools, parks and library, and a diverse population that runs the gamut from gentrification to an edgy urban grittiness.
The commercial strip was beleaguered by empty storefronts in the early aughts, but Dundas has seen a boom in new businesses (if there’s any doubt as to which direction the district is heading, a Starbucks recently opened in the area). The northern corner is seeing the development of big-box stores on the site of the former stockyards at St. Clair Avenue and Weston Road, but the neighbourhood still retains a small-village feel. West of Keele and Dundas, the streetscape is teeming with new restaurants, independent shops and a conglomeration of stores specializing in vintage interiors.
Dundas Street West in the Junction
West Toronto Junction has some of the finest architecture in Toronto. The winding tree-lined streets north of Annette Street feature rich red brick Victorian houses on generous size lots that boast decorative features such as roof top turrets, whimsical front porches and glamorous archways. There are some fine examples of Queen Anne and Arts and Crafts style house in this part of the neighbourhood.
Closer to Dundas Street the houses are Victorian in style but much smaller and much less descriptive. The lots at the north-end of the neighbourhood are also narrower. You will find a that a fair number of the larger houses particularly on the main streets have apartments with two or more units which help pay for the upkeep and property taxes.
West Toronto Junction began as a railway town in the 1870s. A convergence of railway lines operated nearby and opened stations and railyards, attracting manufacturers and their employers to the area. Many of the houses closest to Dundas Street housed the labourers and their families that first settled here. Excessive drinking and rowdiness led to a prohibition on alcohol being sold on Dundas Street West that lasted until 2000.
West Toronto Junction Real Estate
In 1882 an ambitious young lawyer named D.W Clendenan in partnership with his uncle D. J. Laws purchased the Carlton Race Course property (the first running of the Queens Plate was held there in 1860owned by the Keele family. They then registered the West Toronto Junction plan of subdivision. By 1884 lots were being sold with ads in newspapers beckoning buyers to West Toronto Junction where they would enjoy commanding views of Lake Ontario and High Park. There were 5 miles of streets paved and over 1500 shade trees planted.
By 1888 West Toronto Junction had enough residents to incorporate as a Village and by 1891 a Town with a population of 5,000. Churches, libraries and schools would soon follow. Throughout it’s early history the West Toronto Junction experienced boom and busts cycles. In 1909 the increased demand for more utilities and better roads led the ratepayers to vote in favour of annexation with the City of Toronto.
Once a gritty railroad town, it was annexed by the City of Toronto in 1909 and remained under the real estate radar for nine decades as a place with “a fierce, independent spirit,” says Mr. Wencer. Since the late 1990s, however, the secret’s been out as artists looking for cheap studio space and bargain-hunting hipster couples discover its rough charm.
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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information – 416−388−1960
Laurin & Natalie Jeffrey are Toronto Realtors with Century 21 Regal Realty.
They did not write these articles, they just reproduce them here for people
who are interested in Toronto real estate. They do not work for any builders.
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Swansea
Nestled quietly in south west Toronto rests the former municipality of Swansea. Almost a secret community, neighboring Bloor West Village and abutting High Park, Swansea remains unknown to most of Toronto.
Swansea is a compact and unique Toronto neighbourhood bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, the Humber River to the west and Grenadier Pond on the east. The area itself features distinctive rolling hills, many mature trees and scenic winding roads.
Named for prominent settler James Worthington who was said to come from Swansea, Wales, the lovely west Toronto neighbourhood of Swansea Village joined Forest Hill Village in 1967 as one of the last two independent villages to be annexed by the City of Toronto.
Swansea Real Estate Map
Its corporate seal still remains as a tribute to the neighbourhood’s colourful history: The hills in the seal represent Swansea’s rolling countryside, the water refers to Swansea’s natural boundaries, which include Lake Ontario, the Humber River and Grenadier Pond. Also included on the Swansea seal is explorer Etienne Brule, who in 1615 became the first European to set foot on what is now Swansea, and a First Nations member, in recognition of the fact that First Nations members were the first people to inhabit Swansea.
Swansea’s hilly terrain, winding roads and many mature trees accentuate the storybook houses that line the residential streets of this neighbourhood. Its high end homes are located either at the western edge of High Park overlooking Grenadier Pond, or at the Brule Gardens enclave found in the north-west pocket of Swansea. The most common type of housing by far is detached, though there are also semi-detached houses and bungalows and low-rise apartment buildings located mostly in the centre of the neighbourhood.
Original Swansea homes were built between 1905 and 1935 and offer the charms and solid details of that era. Mostly consisting of smaller bungalows (some of which have been converted to a large modern 2 storey design), as well as compact semi-detached and 3 bdrm detached homes. There are even modern townhomes located on Budgell Terrace and several newly built towns at Windermere and Queensway. Swansea’s original larger homes are located at the western edge of High Park (adjacent or with views of Grenadier Pond), and as well along Riverside Drive and Brule Gardens (some with views of the Humber river)to the west.
Swansea Real Estate
This primarily residential area consists of a complimentary, eclectic mix of home types. High end homes are generally located within the Brule Gardens and Riverside Drive enclaves bordering the Humber River and along the western edge of High Park overlooking Grenadier Pond.
The greatest percentage of homes within Swansea are mature, single family dwellings typically built before 1940 and reflecting pride of community. The age of the homes dates back to the 20′s and 30′s, remaining smaller homes boast period details unique to the period namely leaded glass windows, extensive woodwork and hand-crafted plaster crown moulding. Most homes fall under the category of detached or semi-detached homes that have either mutual or private drives in addition to street parking. In recent years, some residents have done an impressive job of expanding their homes vertically. No, these are not McMansions, they are at least in-keeping with the general architecture of the neighbourhood.
In the last 5–7 years, the southern portion of Swansea – namely at the base of Windermere at the Queensway – has undergone a major turn-around. The former brownfield was home to the Stelco site. It was decomissioned and later developed into a series of townhomes and condos that flank either side of Windermere. I must say that upon first glance many moons ago I did not think that much would come of this unglamorous spot. Boy, was I wrong. These places show quite well. These places are now known as Windermere by the Lake at 93 The Queensway and 15 Windermere Avenue as well as the larger townhomes on the opposite side of Winderemere that have the Next condo in it’s backyard.
Homes in the Swansea Neighbourhood
The southern border of the area offers a selection of mostly high rise condominiums- built between 1973 and present day. The older condominiums developed in 1973 (45, 60, 65 Southport St & 35 Ormskirk Ave) are a great value for space and location! Some offer bi-level suites, that give you the feeling of living in a townhome. South Kingsway Village and SouthHampton (both built by Tridel in 1988 and 1994 respectively) offer a variety of spacious suites & wonderful amenities. As a result of this diverse selection, you will be sure to find the right style of suite and building lifestyle whether you are a senior, newly retired, single or family oriented.
Swansea Village is the only Toronto neighbourhood that has its own community run Town Hall at 95 Lavinia Avenue, a vibrant meeting place home to such events as antique shows, craft sales, meetings of various local societies and a wide variety of classes and lessons for all ages. The Swansea Town Hall and Community Centre also includes a small gymnasium, and is the home of the Swansea Memorial Public Library, the smallest branch of the Toronto Public Library system. This branch specializes in material for children and seniors and provides complete inter-library loan services.
The area is in walking distance of Bloor West Village and it’s shops as well as two subway stations, Jane and Runnymede. Being on the subway line still holds it’s value. A bus route along Windermere as well as Morningside Avenue make their way to the above subway stations on the Bloor-Danforth line. If you’re a driver, you’re in luck as Swansea lies at an ideal equidistant point to all that is important, be it the Gardner expressway eastbound or westbound via the Queensway and Parklawn. This is all accessible going southbound either on Windermere Avenue or the South Kingsway.
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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information – 416−388−1960
Laurin & Natalie Jeffrey are Toronto Realtors with Century 21 Regal Realty.
They did not write these articles, they just reproduce them here for people
who are interested in Toronto real estate. They do not work for any builders.
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Incoming search terms
High Park
Set beneath towering oaks on rolling streets are the gorgeous homes of High Park. The most typical High Park home designs are two and three storey detached brick, reflecting Victorian, Edwardian, and Tudor architectural influences. Also in the neighbourhood are several very nice condominium buildings situated on Gothic, High Park, and Quebec Avenues (near Bloor). While many High Park condos offer stunning views of the park itself, some even provide sightlines all the way down to Lake Ontario.
The High Park neighbourhood contains a wealth of history. The area north of Bloor Street was formerly part of the Town of West Toronto Junction, which was annexed by the City of Toronto in 1909. The High Park property south of Bloor Street was purchased in 1836 by John Howard, Toronto’s first surveyor. Howard named his estate High Park because of its magnificent view of Lake Ontario.
In 1873 Howard deeded his beloved High Park estate to the City of Toronto. John Howard’s former residence Colborne Lodge, is still situated on its original site in High Park, where it is now a museum. In the early 1890s, freshly built roads and a newfangled streetcar line allowed luminaries like Eden Smith to construct their homes on nearby Indian Road and High Park Boulevard. By 1930, the park swelled to its current size of 400 acres after the city bought up green space east and west of the former Howard estate.
High Park Real Estate Map
The nabe offers some of the best lots in the city, both alongside the park and on Riverside Drive. Protective of the century-old streetscape, High Park residents are currently fighting against plans for a condo development across the street from the park at Bloor and Oakmount Road. To the west, Swansea is a cohesive community with its own town hall and one of the city’s smallest public libraries.
Although the park itself stretches from The Queensway to Bloor, the community of High Park extends all the way up to Dundas. Runnymede Road is High Park’s western boundary with Bloor West Village, while Roncesvalles Avenue is the limit to the east.
The topography of High Park features gently rolling hills, winding streets, and towering oak trees that enchant and delight all those who live here. This theme of natural beauty is anchored by High Park, which adds incalculable value to the homes for at least half a dozen blocks in every direction.
High Park Real Estate
High Park’s winding tree-lined streets are lined with impressive Victorian, Edwardian, and Tudor-style homes. These captivating houses were built largely during the late 1800′s and early 1900′s, and some have been divided into multiple-family dwellings.
High Park’s distinctive brick homes feature a variety of architectural details that vary from house to house, such as leaded and stained glass windows, lush wood trims, French doors, hardwood floors and fireplaces. A selection of condo buildings along Quebec Avenue, north of Bloor Street, include balconies, some of which feature south views that overlook High Park and Lake Ontario.
High Park is conveniently located within walking distance of ‘Bloor West Village’, one of Toronto’s most popular shopping districts. The ‘Village’ is known across the City for its European bakeries, delicatessens, specialty food shops, cafes and restaurants.
High Park in Toronto
The High Park neighbourhood’s highly regarded schools, including Humberside Collegiate, attract many families with school age children to this neighbourhood.
The Bloor-Danforth subway line has three stations serving the High Park neighbourhood including the Runnymede, High Park, and Keele stations. Most residents are within walking distance of one or more of these three stations.
Motorists are approximately five minutes from the Queensway, which connects commuters to Lake Shore Boulevard and the Gardiner Expressway, and a 10–15 minute drive downtown.
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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information – 416−388−1960
Laurin & Natalie Jeffrey are Toronto Realtors with Century 21 Regal Realty.
They did not write these articles, they just reproduce them here for people
who are interested in Toronto real estate. They do not work for any builders.
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Incoming search terms
