Some of the city’s wealthiest residents once lived along Bloor Street, which is now the commercial centre of The Annex, Toronto neighbourhood, and the former grandeur can still be seen when looking up at the magnificent Romanesque mansions. More than 15,602 people live in this relatively small but highly popular area of Toronto. The energy of the neighbourhood lies in its heterogeneity; its residents form a fine mix of young families, successful business people, prominent artists and hip students from the University of Toronto.
Don’t be surprised to bump into Canada’s movie sweetheart, Rachel McAdams, in one of the trendy Cafés — she is one of the many prominent residents who fell in love with the neighbourhood. Other famous names include writer Margaret Atwood, former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, members of the rock band Sloan, and novelist Ann-Marie McDonald.
Location
The traditional boundaries of the original Annex, Toronto form almost a perfect rectangle with their limits extending north to Dupont Street, south to Bloor Street, west to Christie Street and east to Avenue Road.
However, Torontonians themselves often refer to a broader neighbourhood when they speak of The Annex — anywhere from Harbord Street and Dupont Street and between Avenue Road and Christie Street.
The splendour of the architecture found in The Annex is the main reason why the neighbourhood is so high on Torontonians’ wish list of places to live. Breath-taking and monumental in size, some of these gorgeous mansions built in the Victorian, Queen Anne, and Edwardian styles during the early 19th century have been divided into individual apartments. The characteristic look of these houses is created by the use of red bricks, plum and pink sandstone of the local Credit River, and terra cotta clays tiles on the exterior facades, beautifully decorated with architectural details such as pyramidal roofs, turrets, archways, and wooden porches beckoning guests in for a morning cup of coffee.
The second wave of The Annex real estate, built between 1910 and 1930, were some of the finest examples of English Cottage, Georgian, and Tudor architectural styles — many later replaced by a number of high-rise buildings. The new constructions bearing the signature of the architect Uno Prii have been thoughtfully surrounded by green spaces to better blend in with the residential feel of The Annex real estate.
Ewanika
Secrets From Your Sister
Risque
G.H. Johnson's Trading Co.
South Hill Home
Bakka Phoenix Books
Canvas Gallery
Village Market
Seekers Books
Labyrinth
Nella Cucina
Rowe Farms
Amber Restaurant & Bar
Cibo Wine Bar
Kinka Izakauya
Harbord House
Insomnia Restaurant and Bar
Joso’s
Kenzo Japanese Noodle House
La Societe
Le Paradis Brasserie Bistro
Live Organic Food Bar
Mistura
Opus Restaurant
Real Thailand Restaurant
Rose and Sons
Piano Piano Restaurant
Sushi on Bloor
Trattoria Fieramosca
Universal Grill
Lee’s Palace
Mayday Malone’s
Paupers Bar & Grill
Proof
The Beer Station
Madison Pub
Aroma Espresso Bar
By The Way Café
Green Beanery Café
Second Cup
Starbucks
Restaurants
Amber Restaurant & Bar
(416) 926-9037
WebsiteCibo Wine Bar
(416) 925-2143
WebsiteKinka Izakauya
(647) 343-1101
WebsiteHarbord House
(647) 430-7365
WebsiteInsomnia Restaurant and Bar
(416) 588-3907
WebsiteJoso’s
(416) 925-1903
WebsiteKenzo Japanese Noodle House
(416) 921-6787
WebsiteLa Societe
(416) 551-9929
WebsiteLe Paradis Brasserie Bistro
(416) 921-0995
WebsiteLive Organic Food Bar
(416) 515-2002
WebsiteMistura
(416) 515-0009
WebsiteOpus Restaurant
(416) 921-3105
WebsiteReal Thailand Restaurant
(416) 924-7444
WebsiteRose and Sons
(647) 748-3287
WebsitePiano Piano Restaurant
(416) 929-7788
WebsiteSushi on Bloor
(416) 516-3456
WebsiteTrattoria Fieramosca
(416) 323-0636
WebsiteUniversal Grill
(416) 588-5928
WebsiteThe University of Toronto
Huron Junior Public School
Jesse Ketchum Junior & Senior Public School
Palmerston Junior Public School
Central Technical School
University of Toronto School
Royal St. Georges College
Toronto Reference Library
Spadina Road Public Library
Palmerston Library
Yorkville Library
College/Shaw Library
EJ Pratt Library
Schools
The University of Toronto
WebsiteHuron Junior Public School
(416) 393-1570
WebsiteJesse Ketchum Junior & Senior Public School
(416) 393-1530
WebsitePalmerston Junior Public School
(416) 393-9305
WebsiteCentral Technical School
(416) 393-0060
WebsiteUniversity of Toronto School
(416) 978-3212
WebsiteRoyal St. Georges College
(416) 533-9481
WebsiteChristie Pits Park
Vermont Square Park
Ramsden Park
Queen’s Park
Sir Winston Churchill Park
Parks
Christie Pits Park
WebsiteWhether you want to take your friends out for a picnic or spend the day out, Christie Pits Park, located at 750 Bloor Street West at Christie Street, with its many sporting facilities, is your best shot. Join the crowd cheering to many exciting baseball games organized in the full-sized Dominico Field, or watch the Toronto Maple Leafs baseball team practice their tricks on one of the three baseball diamonds. Fancy some other sport? You will also find a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, a soccer field, and an outdoor pool. A perfect spot in the winter, have some fun sliding down the snowy slopes along the sports pits. The Friends of Christie Pits Park group takes care of the community garden, and together with local volunteers, they organize many events.
Vermont Square Park
WebsiteThis charming park, located near the centre of Seaton Village, is great for off-leash dog walking. In the west part, there is a small playground with a wading pool, and a little bit further, hockey enthusiasts can put their skates on in the Bill Bolton Arena. The St. Alban’s Boys and Girls Club serves the local community with a wide range of programs for children, including daycare, after-school programs, summer camps, and aquatic lessons.
Ramsden Park
WebsiteRamsden Park is a public park at 1020 Yonge Street, once home to the Yorkville Brick Yards. Ramsden Rink, across from the Rosedale subway station, offers some quality hockey time. Try the ever-popular Two Women’s Shinny Times on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Queen’s Park
WebsiteThis beautiful green oasis, almost entirely surrounded by the University of Toronto’s St. George campus, is one of the oldest urban parks in Canada. It was opened in 1860 in honour of Queen Victoria. If you consider the hot assembly debates going on inside the Ontario Legislative Building in the centre of Queen’s Park, it is almost unbelievable what a calming atmosphere the park itself offers. Located right downtown and lacking facilities other than picnic tables, this park is the perfect place for a quiet stroll or a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Sir Winston Churchill Park
WebsiteSir Winston Churchill Park is located at the south-east corner of Spadina Road and St. Clair Avenue. If running is your thing, this park offers a popular jogging route of little less than two miles, which starts on Spadina with a number of stairs to test your fitness. Running down the gravel path, you pass along a big fenced-in dog park, a busy tennis court, and a little playground. Wrapping all around the park is the Nordheimer Ravine, which offers some quality picnic spots and a rustic wood path for a lovely walk.
Transportation
By Car
Approximately five minutes within the main business and entertainment districts, commuters will need 25 minutes to get here from the main highways.
By Bus
Bus services operate on Bathurst Street, Dupont Street, and Avenue Road.
By Streetcar
The 510 Spadina Streetcar runs from Spadina Station along Spadina to Queen’s Quay in the Harbourfront neighbourhood, along which it runs to Union Station. The 511 Streetcar runs from Exhibition Place in the Harbourfront neighbourhood, along Fleet Street to Bathurst, which it follows to Bathurst Station.
By Subway
Stations at Spadina Station and Bathurst Station, St. George Station on the Bloor-Danforth line, and Dupont Station, on the Yonge-University .
Annex Real Estate Listings
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