Little Italy may not be completely Italian as its name implies since there is a presence in the area as well.
Today in Little Italy’s community of Portuguese locals are embracing newcomers from diverse backgrounds to create a rich tapestry in what has become known as one of Toronto’s most diverse neighbourhoods.
History Of Little Italy, Toronto
During the 1920s era, in College Streets ‘Little Italy’ this neighbourhood gained prominence as the hub for Toronto’s residents and businesses.
In the 1960s though Little Italys inhabitants started relocating to the Corso Italia area, along St Clair Avenue West.
The Italian families who left Little Italy were succeeded by Portuguese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish families which contributed to the blend now present in Little Italy today.
In 1985, on College Street in Toronto the local business association officially embraced the name Little Italy to honor the neighbourhood’s significance as a place for immigrants starting their journey in the city.
Lifestyle
The shopping area known as Little Italy, along College Street spans from Shaw Street, to Euclid Avenue. Offers a mix of Italian eateries and trendy European fashion boutiques.
The shopping area, in Portugal Village along Dundas Street comprises fruit and vegetable markets along, with tempting bakeries serving treats and seafood restaurants and cafes offering genuine Portuguese dishes. View homes currently for sale in Little Italy, Toronto
Little Italy, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The West End YMCA situated at 931 College Street features a gymnasium alongside a swimming pool and various community meeting spaces.
The Portuguese Canadian Cultural Centre located at 722 College Street has recently completed a renovation and expansion project. The centre now offers amenities such as lecture halls, games rooms, bar meeting rooms and a restaurant. Evening events at the centre feature a range of activities including Fado music performances and dance routines.
The College/Shaw Public Library is a hub for the community providing reading materials, in languages that represent the population of the area.
Little Italy, Toronto Transit
Little Italy benefits from bus routes along Ossington Avenue. Streetcar service on College Street as well as Dundas Street and Bathurst Street.
Drivers are a drive away, from both the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard about ten minutes, at most.
Little Italy, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
Toronto’s bustling Little Italy area stands as a community, with a cultural history and a diverse dining landscape near the city centre.Its charm lies in the array of options to locals such as public schools, alongside Catholic and private institutions for elementary to secondary high school.
- Public Schools: 4
- Catholic Schools: 4
- Private Schools: 3
Public Schools
- Ossington/Old Orchard Junior Public School
- Ryerson Community School
- Central Technical School
- Jarvis Collegiate Institute
Catholic Schools
- St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
- St. Joseph’s College School
- Monsignor Fraser College
Private Schools
- The York School
- Branksome Hall
- Royal St. George’s College
The convenient location of Little Italy and its close proximity to a range of institutions attract families looking for a city living experience coupled with access to excellent education opportunities, in the neighbourhood, which offers a variety of schools catering to students of different age groups.
Little Italy, Toronto Homes
Most of the row houses and Victorian homes in Little Italy were constructed during the early 20th centuries between 1880 and 1910 specifically for narrow streets adorned with trees where parking is conveniently situated at the rear of the homes accessible, through a back lane.