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Homes in the heart of much-desired
Hillcrest start at $1 million

Real Estate Guide › Central

Wychwood

Average 2008 sale price:

$524,673

Property crime:

low

Crime against people:

low

Neighbourhood map:

See map

Marmaduke Matthews, the visionary painter behind Wychwood Park’s transformation into an artist’s colony in the late 1800s, would be fond of the neighbourhood’s recent changes. The conversion of a streetcar repair barn into Artscape community centre last year has introduced art classes, a dog park, beach volleyball court and weekend farmers’ market. This tranquil community makes for a competitive market, and the fairytale Arts and Crafts homes in the private Wychwood Park zone rarely come up for sale; when they do, expect to fork out at least $1.2 million for a fixer-upper and up to $4 million for a new designer build. Outside the Park, Portuguese and Italian couples have long inhabited neat 1910–1930s homes, making for a high percentage of grey-haired citizens. But with the completion of the St. Clair transit line in March 2010 and abundant shops, young professionals snap up homes from grandparents eager to join their kids in the ’burbs.

HOUSING STOCK: Large three- to five-bedrooms built in the 1910s, ’20s and ’30s dominate. The prettiest streets are in Hillcrest Park and around Wychwood Park. Farther west, post-war homes take over with a few townhouses and new condos around Christie and Dupont.

BARGAIN ZONES: Compared to nearby Roncesvalles, Hillcrest Village’s detached homes are still affordable at $500,000, with lane parking and garage. Outside Hillcrest, streets like Oakwood, Alberta, Benson, Winona and Greensides are prime for picking up an un-renovated house starting at $500,000.

THE VERDICT: More than 80 businesses along St. Clair closed because of the transit line extension, but as work wraps up, new restaurants, shops and cafés are emerging. The stunning Artscape Barns cement the neighbourhood’s renaissance and promising resale value. Growing families are driving up prices for the rare four- and five-bedroom houses, while bulldozers make their way to smaller abodes.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Ecoexistence Eco-freak or green virgin, no matter: the staff at this lifestyle shop helps with decisions on organic cotton sheets and cleaning products. Face cream and body butter from Toronto’s Sigrid Naturals are highly coveted. 21 Vaughan Rd., 416-652-0808.
Scratch Espresso Bar Originally configured as an art gallery, the coffee shop’s 49th Parallel coffee (from Burnaby, B.C.) and locally baked muffins beckon. 1358 Bathurst St., 416-536-2220.
The Stockyards The Stockyards This narrow restaurant (more of a diner, mostly takeout) serves up mighty fine barbecue. Take a pulled pork sandwich and potato salad to the picnic tables at Artscape Wychwood Barns. 699 St. Clair W., 416-658-9666.