736 Dundas St East

A small industrial loft conversion, known as the Tannery Lofts, was built over 100 years ago. The original use for the building was to manufacture soap; however it was re-purposed and most recently used by the Adam Beck Cigar Box Manufacturing Company. Oddly enough, the loft conversion was named ‘The Tannery Lofts’, which is nothing more than a marketing ploy, since the building has never been associated with the production or storage of leather.

Specs: The building is quite small, with only 5 stories and 36 units. The units themselves are also very small, with cramped layouts and minimal storage space (particularly the 1 bedroom units). The developers kept the loft authentic with features such as sandblasted exposed brick walls, high wooden ceilings, large industrial windows, industrial doors and exposed ducts, yet managed to incorporate new finishes such as granite kitchen counters and engineered hardwood floors.

Amenities: None. No owned parking spaces either. The building is located next to the D.V.P., and the street car runs along Dundas 24 hours a day.

Average sales price freehold (2009): $573,871; (2010): $606,429

Lowest price sold (2009): $183,500; (2010): $225,000

Highest price sold (2009): $1,010,000l; (2010): $956,000

Average sales price condo (2009): N/A; (2010): N/A

Postal code: M4K

Boundaries: Hogarth Ave – Gerrard St E; Logan Ave – D.V.P.

Subway Stations: Broadview, Pape and Chester

Significantly more expensive than its neighbor to the south, North Riverdale is nestled in a prime location – bordering on the subway line and the D.V.P.  North Riverdale is home to an architectural landmark – the Don Jail. The prison is historically significant as it was built before the Confederation –however, it is now considered ‘an overcrowded dungeon’, and described as ‘an insult to humanity’. Further east along Gerrard, between Broadview and Carlaw, is East Chinatown, a smaller version of Spadina’s Chinatown. North Riverdale is also known for Riverdale Farm, a largely wooded area with an actual farm and farmer’s market.

Real Estate: North Riverdale attracts families with children, as the houses are bigger and so are the lots. 2 ½ story semis dominate the leafy streets, but it’s common to see detached homes here and there. Verandas are an apparent trend which can be seen on a large number of homes in the area.

Parks: Withrow Park boasts an off-leash dog area, a fenced and dog-free children’s playground and summer wading pool, a clubhouse for indoor classes and community group use, plus plenty of outdoor space for sports and recreation including tennis, tobogganing, hockey, baseball and soccer.

Hot Spots:

Lil’ Baci – 892 Queen St E
With a selection of creatively dressed pizza pies and microbrews, Lil’ Baci’s Pizza offers a slightly upscale twist to the classic pizzeria.

Pan on the Danforth – 516 Danforth Ave
This eatery delivers a unique take on Greek Mediterranean cuisine by eschewing the limited, conventional dishes associated with Greek dining.

Bad Dog Theatre Company – 138 Danforth Ave
The Bad Dog Theatre is an improv comedy club in Toronto with shows most nights of the week, improvisation workshops, and acting classes.

Average sales price freehold (2009): $480,585; (2010): $532,902

Lowest price sold (2009): $212,000; (2010): $331,000

Highest price sold (2009): $715,000; (2010): $827,900

Average sales price condo (2009): $423,310; (2010): $387,445

Postal code: M4M

Boundaries: Dundas St E – Lakeshore Blvd E; Carlaw Ave – D.V.P.

Subway Stations: Pape and Chester

South Riverdale has rebounded drastically since the 70’s and, for the most part, is now entirely gentrified. The neighbourhood pulls in young professionals mostly couples looking for a condo alternative, as the value of homes in the area is still relatively low – and the concentration of cafes, antique furniture shops and contemporary restaurants is high. South Riverdale is also known for the film studios along Eastern Ave, the Pinewood studio is one of the largest, with over 250,000 square ft of production space. At the most southern end of South Riverdale are the Port Lands – a vast industrial park, but also home of Cherry Beach and Tommy Thompson Park

Real estate: Many of the houses in South Riverdale were built between the 1880’s and the Great Depression, and so the architectural style complements that era.

However, the neighbourhood has seen the rise and fall of prosperity.

In this day and age, there is very little architectural consistency – the area is filled with a mix match of styles: some homes are colourful, some dull, some are grand, while others are small worker’s cottages.

For the most part, the houses in this neighbourhood (especially between Dundas and Queen) are charming, and have a ton of character.

The Broadview Lofts is a true loft conversion, originally used by Rexall as a drug warehouse. This magnificent building features original exposed brick walls and wooden ceilings – truly raw and authentic.

Parks: Tommy Thompson Park is located on a man-made peninsula, known as the Leslie Street Spit, which extends 5 km into Lake Ontario and is over 500 hectares in size. The park represents some of the largest existing natural habitat on the Toronto waterfront. Recreational activities include nature-watching, hiking, cycling, running, rollerblading and fishing.

Hot Spots:

The Opera House – 735 Queen St East
The Opera House is a unique and intimate concert venue still holding all the charm of its original 1900’s vaudeville theatre architecture.

Mercury Espresso Bar – 915 Queen St East
The comfy unpretentious spot serves only fair trade and organic coffee and uses 100 per cent biodegradable take-out cups.

Dangerous Dan’s – 714 Queen St East
Dangerous Dan’s prides itself on its heart-attack inducing menu, which boasts such options as the coronary burger special.

Average sales price freehold (2009): $1,155,111

Average sales price condo (2009): $537,590

Postal code: M4V

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

Subway Stations: Davisville, St. Clair and Summerhill

Deer Park dates back to 1837, when the Heath family purchased 40 acres of land and established the area which is now widely known as Yonge and St Clair. In those days, the land wasn’t yet developed and deer were a common sight. By the late 1800’s, the land was subdivided and sold; the neighbourhood began to develop. Nowadays, the Deer Park is known as one of Toronto’s upscale neighbourhoods, with exceptionally beautiful houses, reputable establishments like Upper Canada College and well dressed residents driving expensive cars.

Real Estate: The residential architecture in this neighbourhood varies from street to to street, but many are reminiscent of the Tudor Revival style– a lot of the houses feature prominent cross gables, decorative half timbering and narrow windows.

The red brick rowhouses with arched windows and black roofs along Cottingham and Alcorn are quite charming.

The Carlyle on 55 Delisle offers residence the same elegant lifestyle, without the hassles of homeownership. The boutique condo has only 12 floors, and close attention to construction detail gives off a true sense of luxury.

Parks: Oriole Park is located at the north end of Deer Park. The heavily used park has its own active junior baseball league, tennis courts, picnic benches and barbecues. The new addition of the Neshama Playground considers a progressive layout design and equipment elements that address a broad range of challenges and meet the needs of all children. It is one of the few parks that give disabled children a chance to play alongside able bodied children.

Hot Spots:

Didier – 1496 Yonge St
To dine at Didier is to be reacquainted with the classics of French elegance with impeccable technique and the finest Canadian, organic ingredients.

Dove Spa – 1375 Yonge St
A hidden uptown gem, Dove Spa is calm, spacious and gracious on the inside – white modern zen.

Bruno’s Fine Foods – 1560 Yonge St
Purveyors for over 30 years of quality meat, fish, fresh produce, gourmet groceries, catering and gift baskets.

Average sold price freehold (2009): $628,526; (2010): $729,180

Lowest price sold (2009): $401,000; (2010): $447,500

Highest price sold (2009): $1,100,000; (2010): $1,275,000

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

Postal code: M4X

Boundaries: Rosedale Valley Rd – Gerrard St E, Parliament St – D.V.P.

Closest Subway Station: Castle Frank

Cabbagetown was given its name in 1840, when poor Irish immigrants fled the potato famine in Ireland and settled in the area. They lived off of the cabbages they planted in their gardens. The significantly historic area has seen a lot of change over the last century, in the early 1900’s it was one of Toronto’s biggest slums until the 1970’s when it was gentrified by affluent professionals. Presently, the quaint neighourhood is home to many of the city’s musicians, artists and writers. Also a designated business improvement area, Cabbagetown hosts the annual ‘Cabbagetown Festival’ bringing the neighbours together and stimulating local business.

Real Estate: Some of the nicest heritage-designated Victorian, Gothic Revival and Queen Anne architectural-style houses can be found in Cabbagetown. It’s rare to see these gems for sale, but they’re worth well over a million.

The smaller dead end streets just south of St. James cemetery are lined with hundred year old houses that are both stately, and remarkable, unlike any other neighbourhood in the city. Residents of the neighbourhood take great pride in their homes, and it’s common to see gorgeous gardens and well decorated lawns surrounding the houses.

Parks: Riverdale Farm is located between Sumach and Bayview. The scenic 7.5 acre park has an actual farm and farmers market. Admission is free, and visitors can also wonder around the pathways, wooded areas, and gardens.

Hot Spots:

Jet Fuel – 519 Parliament St.
This fun café is famous for its coffee, music and offbeat characters.

OMI – 241 Carlton Street
Sushi lovers rejoice. An Asian minimalist dream, the restaurant is a creative vision.

Sweet Creamery – 521 Parliament Street
Sweet Creamery is Cabbagetown’s home for delicious gelato, ice cream and pastries.

Average sold price freehold (2009): $650,274; (2010): $739,821

Lowest price sold (2009):$350,000; (2010): $405,000

Highest price sold (2009): $1,118,000; (2010): $1,440,000

Average sold price condo (2009): $338,567; (2010): $333,329

Postal code: M4Y and M4X

Boundaries: Bloor St E – Gerrard St E; Church St – Parliament St

Closest Subway Station: Sherbourne, Wellesley and College

The streets of St. James Town are lined with rental apartment buildings, which are home to mostly newcomers to Canada. The area isn’t really known for much – other than being one of Toronto’s poorer neighbourhoods – and doesn’t have much to offer in terms of restaurants and entertainment. Directly to the south is Moss Park, an area that is hampered by crime; directly to the north (separated by Rosedale Valley Rd and a thick ravine) is Rosedale, one of Toronto’s most affluent neighbourhoods.

Real Estate: There are very few freehold homes in the area, but the few that do exist are mainly rooming houses – houses with 6-12 tiny bedrooms which tenants rent while the other facilities, bathroom and kitchen, are common areas shared by all the tenants. These houses don’t go up for sale often, but when they do – they’re still a significantly large investment to anyone willing to purchase.

The Verve is a new condo development on Homewood Ave, by Tridel. The condo incorporates Tridel’s “Naturally Better” program, which is designed to offer residents an environmentally sustainable and energy efficient building.

Parks: South of Carlton and Jarvis is Allan Gardens – one of the city’s oldest parks, established in 1858, and indoor botanical garden. Admission to the botanical garden is free, and the park is dog-friendly – owners are free to let their dogs run around without a leash.

Hot Spots:

The Keg Steakhouse and Bar Mansion – 515 Jarvis St
The Mansion Keg is a particularly stunning Keg restaurant location, set in an historic Gothic Victorian Revival building.

Average sold price freehold (2009): $540,352

Average sold price condo (2009): $201,322

Postal code: M6H and M6G

Boundaries: St. Clair Ave W – Dupont St, Bathurst St – Lansdowne Ave

Closest Subway Stations: St. Clair West, Christie, Ossington and Dufferin

Corso Italia is known as Toronto’s second Italian community, following Little Italy, although the neighbourhood has a much stronger Italian presence. Corso Italia is designated as a Business Improvement Area, the residents and independent business owners collaborate to stimulate the neighbourhood economy. The annual Corso Italia street festival draws in a large crowd every year, and all the shops and cafes along St Clair West keep people coming back.

At the foot of Bracondale Hill is Wychwood Park, which does have historical significance. The neighbourhood was established in 1870, when a landscape painter purchased the land in hopes of developing an artist colony.

Real Estate: Corso Italia has a high turnover of homes – hundreds have been bought and sold in 2009. Not only is there a large inventory on the market each year, but the neighbourhood has an incredibly wide range of mismatched architecture – Victorians, Tudor-inspired, Queen Anne, post war, early 20^th century two story semis, modernist…

580 Christie St is a co-ownership building (once a rental apartment building but now converted into resident owned units) provides a uniquely affordable option for middle-income families. In 2009, the most anyone paid for a 1 bedroom unit was $200,000.

Parks: Hillcrest Park, at the centre of Bracondale Hill, is small but has a baseball diamond, tennis courts, two small buildings and a great deal of open lawn space.

Hot Spots:

Ecoexistence – 21 Vaughan Rd.
Ecoexistence is an eco-friendly life-style store, focusing on products to help consumers make healthier choices.

Ferro Bar and Café – 769 St. Clair Ave. W.
Since 1993, Ferro has grown from a local residential favorite, to being one of the city’s favorite hip Italian eateries.

Twice as Nice – 683 St. Clair Ave. W.
A must-stop for new parents, Twice as Nice specializes in new and used baby equipment at reduced prices.

Average sold price freehold (2009): $494,008

Average sold price condo (2009): $372,750

Postal code: M6H and M6G

Boundaries: Dupont St – Bloor St W, Bathurst St – Lansdowne Ave

Closest Subway Stations: Bathurst, Christie, Ossington, Dufferin, Lansdowne and Dundas West

Bloor St West, between Bathurst and Lansdowne, boasts a high concentration of mixed used residential and commercial buildings. The strip of shops doesn’t have much curb appeal, with random businesses – coin laundry, dental offices, dollar stores, etc., many of which are in poor state of repair. The area is broken down into four small neighbourhoods – Seaton Village, Christie Pitts, Dovercourt Park and Wallace-Emerson, which each have historical significance. Dovercourt Park was founded in 1870, by English immigrants who built shacks out of tar and paper – as they were too poor to afford stronger building material. The village was originally called Shantytown.

Real Estate: The neighbourhood is filled with fixer-uppers, perfect for eager buyers looking for that ‘blank canvas’. The majority of houses here are two-storey semis, and most of them have a different style of architecture then their neighbours on either side.

Many of the detached houses have already been torn down and flipped – and they’re easy to spot. In general, the lots are small, the houses are built so close to each other and the streets aren’t very ‘leafy’ – resulting in noticeably less curb appeal.

There are less than a handful of condos in the area, but offer a wide range in price. Eleven Christie offers buyers affordable units, but attracts mostly students. The Bartlett Lofts are one of Toronto’s first loft conversions, with exposed brick walls, staircases and industrial windows – but with only 13 units in the building, they rarely go up for sale.

Parks: Dovercourt Park is a relatively small compared to Christie Pits Park, but it backs on to the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, and it’s usual to see local kids running around. It has a small baseball diamond, tennis courts, a basketball hoop and a playground.

Christie Pits 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:

Madras Masala – 796 Bloor St W
This small Indian restaurant is best known for its casual atmosphere, friendly service and spicy dosas.

The Black Horse Pub and Grill – 928 Bloor St W
It’s easy to spot this historic tavern - a horse head protrudes from the brick-and-glass façade. It is a quiet and unassuming restaurant offering enjoyable ambience, drinks and food to local wanderers.

Average sold price freehold (2009): $460,483; (2010): $485,596

Lowest price sold (2009): $260,000; (2010): $243,000

Highest price sold (2009): $1,100,000; (2010): $1,300,000

Average sold price condo (2009): $310,938; (2010): $345,106

Postal code: M6H

Boundaries: Bloor St W-College St; Dovercourt Rd-Roncesvalles Ave

Closest Subway Stations: Dundas West, Lansdowne and Dufferin

Brockton – Dufferin Grove is a working class neighbourhood with two central focal points: the Dufferin Mall, west of Dufferin St and Dufferin Grove Park, on the east side. These two neighbourhood attractions play a key role in creating a community feel. Families spend Saturday afternoons at the mall, scurrying from H&M to Winners, while the youth of Dufferin hang out at the park, either playing basketball or sitting on benches surfing the internet on their laptops. Although the area is still not as alluring as its eastern neighbor Little Italy, Dufferin Grove is attracting first time buyers as the real estate prices are relatively lower.

Real Estate: The three major residential streets running through the Dufferin Grove are Dufferin, Dovercourt and Gladstone, which have the highest inventory and turnover of homes. These semis tend to be generic and look their age for the most part, but as the neighbourhood changes – so do the houses.

Tucked away on quieter streets like Rusholme and Havelock, you will find a number of finer homes. The stately Victorians and Edwardians are quite lovely, and usually well maintained – some of these have sold for close to $1M.

The Church Lofts on Dovercourt have garnered a lot of attention. What was once a century old church is now a loft conversion with 28 stunning units, which went on sale in 2010. The units are a rare find with many boasting stained glass windows, octagonal skylights and soaring steel trusses.

Parks: Dufferin Grove Park features a large playground, a pizza oven, a basketball court, and an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter. There is also an organic farmers’ market at the park on Thursday afternoons from 3-7 o’clock. The Park has also been set up with wi-fi internet making it a great spot to hang out.

Hot Spots:

Arabesque – 1068 College St
It’s a perfect spot to spend an afternoon over a cup of tea, a place to lounge with a favourite book, or to have lunch with friends, eating authentic dishes from the Middle East.

The Common – 1071 College St
The Common is an unassuming cafe that pumps out some of the best espressos in the city. Long tables and benches make for a communal feel.

Print Fine Vintage – 834A College St
This tiny store has a collection of designer clothing by Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent and Pucci but also vintage pieces from the 1940s to 1970s.

Average sold price freehold (2009): $574,218; (2010): $635,456

Lowest price sold (2009):$235,000; (2010): $470,000

Highest price sold (2009): $956,500; (2010): $1,200,000

Average sold price condo (2009): $350,183; (2010): $386,140

Postal code: M6J

Boundaries: College St – King St W, Dovercourt Rd – Lansdowne Ave

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.