Don Mills stands out as one of the known and beloved neighbourhoods in Toronto. Its notable landmarks include the Donalda Golf and Country Club, well as the beautiful Edwards Gardens. In terms of business and industry Don Mills is home to the headquarters of IBM Canada Ltd., Global Television Station, the Toronto Real Estate Board and several other prominent companies.
The transformation of the Don Mills Shopping Centre reflects a cycle of change and renewal. Initially established as a shopping plaza in the 1960s it evolved into a shopping centre to keep up with shifting trends. Today it has been revamped into the Shops at Don Mills offering shoppers an outdoor retail experience that sets it apart from traditional shopping plazas in Toronto.
The distinctive urban design of this destination is highlighted by its Town Square. This gathering spot features a water feature that puts on a show every half hour. At one end of the Town Square stands a captivating clock tower—a creation, by Canadian artist and writer Douglas Coupland.
The designs on this one of a kind clock tower depict houses of those in the Don Mills area. Besides stores and eateries the Shops at Don Mills host community gatherings and festivals all year round.
History Of Don Mills, Toronto
The name Don Mills is linked to the Don River, where numerous mills operated in the 1800s. The original homes of pioneer miller William Gray still stand by the Don River at the Donalda Golf Club. David Dunlap acquired the Gray property in 1914 after finding success in mining. His family established a model farm” at Don Mills. The “Donalda” farm attracted agriculture experts who admired its livestock and equipment. In 1952 Moffat Dunlop sold the six hundred acre “Donalda” farm to the Don Mills Development Company led by E.P. Taylor, a businessman. Originally serving as a sales office, the “Donalda” house now functions as the clubhouse for the Donalda Golf Club. Don Mills is renowned as North America’s planned and fully integrated war community, setting a precedent for Toronto’s suburban development and modern neighbourhoods.
Lifestyle
The Shops, at Don Mills situated on the corner of Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East is a neighbourhood spot perfect for families and social gatherings. This modern open air shopping destination follows an urban village concept offering shoppers a chance to enjoy events throughout the year. The heart of these activities takes place at the Town Square featuring a clock tower, a water display with robots and an oval shaped ice skating rink. In addition to these attractions there are also gourmet food stores and restaurants for visitors to explore.
The transformation of the Don Mills Shopping Centre from its origins as a plaza in the 1960s to an indoor mall reflects changing trends and preferences over time. Now reborn as the Shops at Don Mills it brings back the shopping experience that was once cherished by shoppers. While outdoor retail spaces are not uncommon in Toronto, what sets Shops at Don Mills apart is its approach to creating a one of a kind shopping environment unlike any other in the city. Embracing practices this retail hub has been developed in alignment with Toronto’s Green Development Guidelines. The town square, at its core, adds to its appeal by embodying a design that complements the overall aesthetic of the area.
In the Town Square there’s a water feature, on one side that puts on a choreographed show every half hour. On the end you’ll find a clock tower that doubles as an artistic sculpture created by the renowned Canadian artist and writer Douglas Coupland. The symbols adorning this clock tower depict houses reminiscent of those seen in the Don Mills area. View homes currently for sale in Don Mills, Toronto
Don Mills, Toronto Parks & Facilities
There are local parks in Don Mills that are linked by a paved walkway running behind the houses. In Edwards Gardens there is a path that forms part of a nine kilometer trail tracing the West Don River valley all the way to Warden Woods Park in Scarborough. Bond Park, situated off Duncairn Road stands as the park in Don Mills offering baseball facilities and leagues along with being home to the North York Winter Tennis Club.
Three Valleys Park adjacent to Three Valleys School boasts a childrens tennis courts. The Don Mills Civitan Arena on 1030 Don Mills Road hosts a children’s house league program. Provides pleasure skating during designated times throughout the week. At 881 Lawrence Avenue East you can find the Don Mills Public Library with programs catering to babies toddlers, preschoolers and schoolchildren. Notably close by is the Ontario Science Centre on 770 Don Mills Road.
Plenty of fun awaits at parks and recreational facilities in this area. Parks here offer amenities like playgrounds for kids, sports areas, dog friendly spaces, skating opportunities and natural settings. With a total of 23 parks and 75 recreational facilities within reach in this neighbourhood each park averages about three facilities for visitors to enjoy.
Don Mills, Toronto Transit
Bus routes along York Mills Road, Lawrence Avenue East and Leslie Street offer connections for passengers to reach stations on the Yonge University Spadina subway line. The bus on Don Mills Road provides a link to Pape station on the Bloor Danforth subway line making it a popular choice for commuters heading downtown in Toronto. Access points to the Don Valley Parkway can be found east of Don Mills Road with on ramps located off Eglinton and Lawrence Avenues as off York Mills Road.
Banbury Don Mills area boasts 277 transit stops. Is served by rail stations, like Bessarion Station. This neighbourhood primarily sees vehicle commuters who tend to travel within the city for their commute.
Don Mills, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
This area boasts elementary and secondary high schools, as well as specialized programs for both levels. The community is served by a total of 16 schools, 7 schools, 10 private schools and 1 alternative/special school. The local schools offer a variety of programs such as French Immersion, All All Female classes, Christian education, Advanced Placement courses, Gifted/Talented programs, International Baccalaureate curriculum and Special Education services.
- Public Schools: 16
- Catholic Schools: 7
- Private Schools: 10
Public
- Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute
- Don Mills Middle School
- York Mills Collegiate Institute
- Harrison Public School
- ÉS Étienne-Brûlé
- St. Andrew’s Middle School
- Rippleton Public School
- Greenland Public School
- Denlow Public School
- Milne Valley Middle School
- Don Mills Collegiate Institute
- Norman Ingram Public School
- ÉÉ Jeanne-Lajoie
- Valley Park Middle School
- Gateway Public School
- Windfields Middle School
Catholic
- Northmount School
- Hawthorn School for Girls
- St. Bonaventure Catholic School
- ÉÉC Sainte-Madeleine
- ÉSC Monseigneur-de-Charbonnel
- St. John XXIII Catholic School
- Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic School
Private
- Giles School
- Seneca Hill Private School
- Canaan Global Academy
- Metamorphosis Greek Orthodox School
- La Citadelle International Academy
- WillowWood School
- Laurel School
- Westfield Secondary School
- Alathena International – North York
- Brighton School
- Alternative/Special
- Brighton School
Don Mills, Toronto Homes
This area is primarily filled with condominiums and apartment buildings. The community here is quite stable as around 37% of households have relocated in the 5 years while 11% have moved within the year. The majority of the houses are older. Are predominantly owned by their residents.