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Nobody moves to the Annex to spend
quiet nights at home—endless restos
and relaxed nightlife are big draws

Real Estate Guide › Central

Annex

Average 2008 sale price:

$793,471

Property crime:

high

Crime against people:

average

Neighbourhood map:

See map

Lined with bookshops, cheap restaurants and the last of the downtown rep theatres, Bloor bustles from morning ’til night, even when U of T students are on summer break. The Annex got its start as one of Toronto’s most fashionable addresses, an alternative to Rosedale for wealthy tycoons. In 1892, booze baron George Gooderham built a Romanesque palace at 135 St. George, which now houses the York Club. Closer to Bloor, many of these former mansions function as frat houses and offices, but when student rentals come onto the market, they’re snapped up and converted back to single-family homes. Combined, the dynamic street scene, heritage properties, proximity to downtown and leafy streets create a premier neighbourhood that doesn’t feel exclusive.

HOUSING STOCK: Houses, the bulk of which are century-old semis with four to six bedrooms and a minimum $1 million price tag, become larger and older moving eastward. The side streets between Bedford and Avenue Road are highly coveted—a Victorian with only 25 feet of frontage can fetch upwards of $2 million.

BARGAIN ZONES: Seaton Village, between Bathurst and Christie, is the last affordable frontier. However, Palmerston Public School and Vermont Square Park make it a magnet for young families, and prices continue to climb. A cozy three-bedroom semi with no parking typically sells for over $500,000.

THE VERDICT: The Annex will always be a very safe investment thanks to its proximity to the subway and downtown. Many wealthy families are happy to sacrifice privacy and lot size to be within walking distance of amenities and part of a vibrant community.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:

Ezra’s Pound Pretty lattes and gourmet sandwiches draw a loyal following of toddlers and their parents. 238 Dupont St., 416-929-4400.
Ka Chi Hefty portions of Korean comfort food have made this a popular student hangout. 612 Bloor St. W., 416-533-9306.
Sonic Boom A former Woolworth’s, the cavernous space houses CDs, vinyl, DVDs and even cassettes. 512 Bloor St. W., 416-532-0034.

Today in Toronto: February 9, 2010

• Hub 14: The postage stamp measurements of the Hub 14 space will ensure close encounters with the performers taking part in the new series Under a Paper Moon
• More things to do tonight
• Something to do this weekend

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