Midtown, Toronto has always held a prominent place in Torontonian hearts. It is ideally located – close to downtown, has many subway stations along both the Bloor and Yonge lines, and is home so many green areas. Established in the late 1880s, there are many neighbourhoods you can call home in Midtown Toronto. Here are some of my favourites:
Yorkville
Yorkville is a neighbourhood that truly has it all: luxury condominiums, four-star hotels, commercial office towers, a prestigious shopping district, theatres, and picturesque Victorian homes. It’s boundaries are Avenue Road to the west, Marlborough avenue to the north, Yonge Street to the east and Bloor Street to the south.
Yorkville’s homes were mostly built in the latter part of the 1800s. These historic homes are largely in the Victorian style with very decorative features such as gingerbread gables and cast iron fences. When it comes to lifestyle, the Mink Mile is not the only shopping district to enjoy in Yorkville. The Hazelton Lanes shopping centre features over 100 exclusive shops and restaurants. A few of my personal favourite restaurants include d|Bar, Bar Reyna and La Societe.
Summerhill
Summerhill derives its name from the famous “Summer Hill” house built in 1842 by Canadian transportation baron Charles Thompson. Today, the neighbourhood is centred around the old Summerhill train station (which is now one of the biggest and most beautiful LCBO locations in the province) as well as hundred-year-old leafy trees, beautiful homes and quiet streets.
A true neighbourhood staple is Summerhill Market. While there are many locations throughout Toronto and even some in the GTA, Summerhill market provides its shoppers with unique grocery items (including freshly prepared meals, baked goods, flowers, etc.) while ensuring their experience is a pleasant one!
As one of Toronto’s oldest neighbourhoods, Summerhill’s architecture is full of elegance and opulence. There are large Victorian and Edwardian-style homes mixed in between turn-of-the-century and even newer, modern, classy condos such as Scrivener Square.
Rosedale
Rosedale is famous for being one of the most fashionable and distinguished neighbourhoods in Toronto for several decades. Rosedale features a wide variety of architectural marvels. There are Victorian, Tudor, Georgian and Edwardian style mansions that are listed on the Toronto Historical Board Inventory of Heritage Properties (as these properties were built between 1860-1930). However, there are also many condos and co-operative apartment buildings in South Rosedale that provide an affordable entry into an otherwise very affluent neighbourhood.
Residents of Rosedale can enjoy two commercial areas for amenities and leisure. For residents that live on the west side of Mount Pleasant Road, there are plenty of upscale restaurants and shops to be enjoyed on Yonge Street. For those that live on the east side of Mount Pleasant Road, there is a quaint commercial block on Summerhill Avenue at the very north end of Rosedale.
With winding streets lined with mature trees, beautiful green spaces and highly regarded schools in the vicinity, Moore Park and Rosedale are two of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Toronto. While only a few minutes from the downtown core, homes in these neighbourhoods are a world away from the bustle of the city.
The Annex
The Annex is a very special part of Midtown Toronto as it is the most heterogenous neighbourhood in the entire city! You will find all types of residents: University of Toronto students, successful business people, prominent artists, university faculty and everything in between. If you love fine examples of Victorian, Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque architectural styles, The Annex should definitely be a neighbourhood to consider for your next home. This Midtown Toronto neighbourhood is home to some of the finest architectural details in the entire city!
Along with fine architecture and diverse residents, true to character, the Annex also offers an array of food options from a cozy Mexican restaurant like Playa Cabana to Michelin Star rated Fat Pasha for a unique take on Middle Eastern and European Jewish fare in a funky hipster setting.
By no means is this a comprehensive list of all the stunning neighbourhoods in Midtown Toronto. This rich and centrally located district has so much to offer regardless of who you are and what kind of home you are looking for. If you would like to learn more about Midtown Toronto please feel free to explore my neighbourhoods page here or reach out to me here. I would love to help you make Midtown Toronto your next home.
