Sponsored By:

Berkley Street’s proud gabled houses sport
the area’s few professionally landscaped
plots
Real Estate Guide › Central
Moss Park
- Median 2007 sale price:
- $597,500
- Property crime:
- high
- Crime against people:
- high
- Neighbourhood map:
- See map
Home to picturesque Allan Gardens and its lovely conservatories, Moss Park has potential, but hampered by crime, it remains on the city’s list of 13 at-risk neighbourhoods. Local aid agencies, including the United Way, are working to turn the area around, but progress has been slow. Amid the grime lie such gleaming stretches as Berkeley Street—where a row of proud gabled houses sports the area’s few professionally landscaped plots—as well as Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, George Brown College and Inglenook High, the oldest continuously operating high school in Toronto. According to 2006 census numbers, there are fewer children, youth and seniors than the average Toronto neighbourhood, which, if you’re 25 to 64 with no kids, could be ideal. There are innumerable little hidden streets, such as Trinity north of Eastern, with its mix of old and new townhouses, and Wilkins Avenue, with its 20 houses and residents-only parking lot.
HOUSING STOCK: Residential architecture varies enormously. Smallish townhouses are the most prominent, mixing with condo and loft developments, such as King’s Court on King Street East. A trio of 16-storey boomerang-shaped residential towers, each containing about 300 subsidized units, dominates the area. The Toronto Community Housing Corporation operates the towers, as well as the Pembroke Mews—a graceful seven-storey apartment building.
BARGAIN ZONES: Look for more accessible options on Seaton, north of Dundas, where reno fodder coexists with Edwardian lovelies that have already been spruced up.
THE VERDICT: The neighbourhood’s negative associations (crime and drugs) produce deals you’re not likely to find elsewhere. Not as much of a leap of faith as Regent Park (page 41), Moss Park is a fairly sure bet for greater than average appreciation, in both senses of the word.
NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
The Aga Shop The place to be if you’ve got a ton of money—say, $13,000 to $20,900—to drop on one of the most coveted appliances (four ovens in one!) in the nation. 150 King St. E., 416-943-4726.
Kultura In a lavishly restored Georgian building, this chic wine bar (there are some 50 wines on the list) serves upscale tapas—empanadas with truffle oil for example—to hip King East condo dwellers. 169 King St. E., 416-363-9000.
The Patrician Grill One of the best diners in the city, the Patrician is a hangout for a lot of the George Brown culinary students across the street. 219 King St. E., 416-366-4841.
Nearby Restaurants
African Village Café
This cozy and colourful café—with its saffron walls and violet tablecloths—serves a small but interesting ... (0.06 km away)
The Berkeley Café
This tiny café has the cozy, rich feel of a Victorian study, with an edgy, ... (0.17 km away)
Mengrai Thai
The hip industrial feel of this old brewery building juxtaposes playfully with traditional Thai tchotchkes—brightly ... (0.34 km away)
Weezie’s
King East’s condo dwellers are lucky to have this intimate little bistro. With its accessibly ... (0.37 km away)
Morning Glory (Diner)
This tiny diner serves some of the city’s only Mennonite fare—from the Mennonite ham and ... (0.37 km away)
UpFront Bar & Grill (Bar and Pub)
This scrubby, unassuming bar—with its well-worn wooden chairs and walls plastered with sporting paraphernalia—is tucked ... (0.37 km away)
Gourmet Burger Co.
This is the year of the burger wars. Outlets jostling for supremacy—one-upping each other with ... (0.39 km away)
Nearby Shopping and Services
Urban Source Creative Event Catering
In business since 1984, Urban Source covers the gamut, from chic cocktail parties and small ... (0.11 km away)
Garden’s Path
A favourite of brides on a budget, this shop has a reputation for creative designs ... (0.12 km away)
Marty Millionaire
With its pink neon sign and screaming teal blue exterior, it’s hard to miss this ... (0.15 km away)
Berkeley Church
Built in 1871, Berkeley Church did religious duties for nearly a century (it was a ... (0.15 km away)
Berkeley Gym
Given its trendy and cool loft-like decor (mirrored walls, exposed ductwork and brick), it’s no ... (0.17 km away)
Ontario Paint and Wallpaper
A 2006 fire forced this decor stalwart to move down the street from its long-time ... (0.20 km away)
Turco-Persian Rug Company
When sunlight shimmers on the hardwood floor, this 103-year-old rug shop seems more like a ... (0.27 km away)
Commuting
- King and Bay:
- 1.5 km
- 401 and 400:
- 14.1 km
- Gardiner and 427:
- 15.6 km
- Subways:
- Dundas Station 1.3 km
- Queen Station 1.3 km
- King Station 1.4 km
Commuting and subway distances measured from neighbourhood centre.
Get more Toronto Life:
DAILY: For up-to-the-minute updates, follow us on Twitter or via RSS
WEEKLY: Find the latest it-spots, top wines and the hottest parties by
signing up for our free weekly e-newsletters
MONTHLY: Don't miss a word.
Subscribe to our award-winning magazine today
E-mail your ideas and feedback to Toronto Life editors
Today in Toronto: July 4, 2009
- Corso Italia Toronto Fiesta: The two-day festival includes performances by Brazen Angelz, Josephine Biundo, Dr. Draw, Daniel Panetta and others
- Femi Kuti and King Sunny Ade: Harbourfront Centre’s summer season heats up with a not-to-be-missed double bill of Nigerian masters
- Westben: Concerts at the Barn: This countryside festival presents a varied program in the purpose-built barn that serves as its intimate yet impressive performance space
- Great Waterfront Trail Adventure Tour: More than 250 avid cyclists pedal 730 kilometres from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Quebec border in celebration of the new and expanded Waterfront Trail
- More things to do tonight
- Something to do this weekend
Today in Toronto on Twitter | RSS
Concerts for Conservation with Mitchel Musso. July 12th at 4pm and 6pm. Tickets are $30 and include Zoo admission. Visit torontozoo.com
CityGuides
Most-read Feature Stories
Contests
Links and Offers
- Private Schools Directory
- Shop for the Perfect Golf Gift At CallawayGolfPreOwned.com. Shop gifts under $50, $250, or $500. Click Here!
- Deckers Flip Flops, Serious Flip Flops, 100% lifetime guarantee on all flip flops for men and women.
- Shop at SteveMadden.com today!
- Our lowest rates are online at Avis.com
- TheShoppingChannel.com Clearance Centre








