When the Toronto Mega City expanded in 1998 the North Toronto neighbourhood shifted from its position to a more central location, within the new city boundaries. Despite this transformation North Toronto has managed to maintain its identity.
Known for its appeal to families with school age children North Toronto offers a variety of amenities that cater to family needs. From houses and a diverse range of schools to access to public transportation and numerous parks and recreational facilities this neighbourhood has it all.
Yonge and Eglinton, fondly nicknamed as “Young and Eligible ” has been a significant intersection for over a century. Originally part of Eglinton Village which later merged with Davisville Village and Bedford Park Village to create the Town of North Toronto in 1890. The town was eventually incorporated into the City of Toronto in 1912.
The Yonge Eglinton Centre occupies the quadrant of the Yonge Eglinton intersection. Recently underwent extensive renovations. On the side the northeast quadrant of Yonge Eglinton is set to host a luxury condominium tower in the near future.
The southeast section has seen changes due to the construction of the Minto Midtown project featuring two residential towers and ground level retail spaces. The area between these buildings has been redesigned to enhance pedestrian access.
In the quadrant much of the space is taken up by the TTC Eglinton bus terminal, which the city plans to revitalize with improvements to spaces, transit infrastructure and the addition of new park areas.
Another noteworthy development is the renovation of North Toronto Collegiate (located east of Yonge Street between Roehampton and Broadway). This historic school underwent reconstruction in 2011 including a sports field. The nearby “The Republic” condo project next to the school has been well received by buyers attracted to its premium location.
History Of North Toronto, Toronto
The town of North Toronto was officially established in 1890 as a result of merging Davisville Village, Eglinton Village and Bedford Park Village.
Initially North Toronto mainly consisted of farmland used for agriculture. However there were already divided land plots in the area that were held by investors.
The construction of homes began in the 1890s when the Metropolitan Street Railway extended its line to include North Toronto as its stop from downtown Toronto.
By the 1900s North Toronto had become a suburb for commuters in Toronto. Dissatisfied with the services provided by the town, residents of North Toronto voted to join the City of Toronto on December 15 1912. Following annexation North Toronto rapidly. Was fully built up by the 1940s.
Lifestyle
Residents in North Toronto frequently visit the shops and eateries along Yonge Street situated between Eglinton and Lawrence Avenues.
Yonge Street boasts an array of stores from small local businesses to well known international chains contributing to the area’s vibrant atmosphere.
For those looking for shopping options the renovated and expanded Yonge and Eglinton Centre is a convenient choice.
The Yonge and Eglinton area, also known as ‘Young and Eligible’ is a hub for bars, restaurants, clubs and cinemas that attract a crowd to this intersection.
North Toronto, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The modern North Toronto Community Centre can be found on Eglinton Avenue, a bit east of Avenue Road. It features facilities, like a gymnasium, squash courts, a walking track and even a water slide.
Next to the community centre is Eglinton Park, which boasts sports fields, a baseball diamond, a wading pool, a children’s playground and tennis courts that transform into an ice rink during the winter.
Sherwood Park lies to the east of Mount Pleasant Road. Offers a walking trail surrounded by some of the city’s oldest and biggest trees. This park also houses a children’s wading pool.
Over on Orchard View Boulevard is the Northern District Public Library that runs programs catering to both children and adults.
The Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre (FNC) stands out as a place with activities for all age groups tailored to its 2500 active members. Serving as a point, in the neighbourhood it often welcomes new families moving in as their stop.
North Toronto, Toronto Transit
In North Toronto there are bus lines, along Eglinton Avenue Mount Pleasant Road, Yonge Street and Avenue Road. These buses link up to Eglinton station on the Yonge University Spadina subway line.
It takes ten minutes for drivers to reach downtown. Both Highway 401 and the Allen Expressway are around a ten minute drive, from North Toronto.
North Toronto, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
North Toronto Christian School is a school that welcomes both boys and girls embracing beliefs, from elementary and secondary high school. NTCS does not have a connection with any church or religious group. The main goal of NTCS is to offer an education that combines academics with a perspective on life and faith.
North Toronto, Toronto Homes
The North Toronto neighbourhood covers a part of what’s now known as Uptown Toronto. Its proximity to Downtown Toronto has enticed real estate investors to develop the area since the 1800s when the first landowners appeared. Following its annexation by the City of Toronto in 1912 North Toronto experienced a surge in land speculation and construction activity which reached peak levels at that time. Interestingly history seems to repeat itself as the real estate market in North Toronto boomed again in 2015 with a total of 86 recorded MLS sales.
Back when most houses in North Toronto were originally constructed during the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s they were typically sold for prices ranging between twenty and forty thousand dollars. Fast forward to 2015, where the average sale price for homes in North Toronto has skyrocketed to $1,348,000. Entry level properties now start at prices ranging from $680,000 to $900,000. Notably fifty five houses were sold for over one million dollars each six surpassed two million dollars in value and one property even reached the three million dollar milestone this year. The strong demand from buyers looking to settle down in this area is evident from the average list to sale price ratio of an impressive 104%. This indicates that most homes in North Toronto are attracting offers and selling above their asking prices. On average a home in North Toronto sells within 14 days.
The average time a house stays on the market could be shorter if some sellers didn’t wait a week or so after listing their property on the MLS before accepting offers.
Prospective homebuyers will discover a variety of housing options in this neighbourhood. The original residences in the area include Tudor and Craftsman style cottages, attached and detached homes with styles ranging from Victorian to Georgian and Colonial as well as Craftsman and Tudor designs. The charming architecture of these houses along with the tree lined streets come together to make North Toronto one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in the city. North Toronto is also attracting buyers. While some newer homes are impressive, a few contemporary designs might not align with the vision of early North Toronto developer Wilfred Servington Dinnick. Dinnick was known for enforcing guidelines to ensure a cohesive streetscape where all homes harmonized nicely with their natural surroundings.
North Toronto has become a spot for condominium projects meeting the demand for more affordable options in this sought after family friendly area. Currently the median price for a two bedroom condo in North Toronto with parking stands at $585,000 with prices ranging from three hundred thousands to over two million dollars overall.
North Toronto is a sought after area, for homebuyers due to its nearness to downtown access to the Yonge TTC line, charming local shops and eateries, ample green spaces, parks and ravines as well as top notch schools, like the newly renovated North Toronto Collegiate.