Sponsored By:

Some 55,000 students and staff at U of T
(not to mention the alumni who’ve stuck
around) give the ’hood a resonance of
fellow feeling

Real Estate Guide › Central

University

Average 2008 sale price:

$585,159

Property crime:

very high

Crime against people:

high

Neighbourhood map:

See map

With more than 53,000 students and upwards of 2,000 faculty and staff, the University of Toronto draws a lot of people to this part of town, many of whom consider Queen’s Park and Bathurst between Bloor and College to be their practical city limits. With a large percentage of alumni sticking around after graduation, the neighbourhood has lasting resonance, building layer upon layer of myth and neighbourly camaraderie. Though often collectively referred to as the South Annex, the homes south of Bloor to College (between Spadina and Bathurst) tend to be on small lots, and vary in size and state of repair. Prices have kept pace with the market over the years, and the area maintains a cachet with those who want to live steps from the College Street strip, Harbord’s restaurant row and the university campus.

HOUSING STOCK: All but a very few houses are more than 60 years old: from some of the tiniest lean-to worker’s cottages to tall, narrow semi-detached and row houses on postage stamp–size yards to near-million-dollar renovated century brick homes.

BARGAIN ZONES: The big opportunity here is in buying large, run-down student rentals and flashing them up. There are potential fixer-uppers are scattered throughout.

THE VERDICT: It’s a magical sort of neighbourhood, with very few houses for sale. Whether the premium is worth it will depend entirely on how much you value continuing to rub elbows with students and professors after your own best-before date.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
The Harbord Room Restaurateur Dave Mitton is defining Harbord’s hip foodscape, creating a sophisticated but disarmingly unpretentious locale. The small room has a friendly air; a back patio doubles the 30-seat capacity once the warm weather comes.
Paupers Pub A former bank, Paupers is everything a neighbourhood pub should be. The vault has been converted into an intimate nook and the rooftop bar is one of the best summer hangouts in the city. 539 Bloor St. W., 416-530-1331.
Theodore 1922 This bespoke and ready-to-wear haberdashery provides the neighbourhood with expertly tailored $300 shirts and $7,000 suits. 497 Bloor St. W., 416-850-0175.