Many original mid-century houses have
been levelled in favour of newer, bigger
residences that take advantage of
Downsview–Roding’s large lots
Real Estate Guide › West
Downsview - Roding
- Average 2008 sale price:
- $318,188
- Property crime:
- very high
- Crime against people:
- very high
- Neighbourhood map:
- See map
Rolling hills, spacious lots and single-family homes, built between World War II and the 1970s, lend the streets a nice suburban feel. Many homes back on to a greenbelt and parkland. Yorkdale and North York Sheridan Mall offer prime shopping. Downsview Park—the site of SARSstock and Pope John Paul II’s 2002 visit—dominates the region. But the transformation of the land into the country’s first manufactured urban park has been slow. Bruce Mau’s Tree City design was approved in 2000, but his 30,000 trees were only planted in 2007.
HOUSING STOCK: Condo towers are sprouting up in anticipation of the park’s metamorphosis. A lot of the original homes remain—split-levels from the ’50s and ’60s.
BARGAIN ZONES: The new condo developments along Sheppard are cheaper than comparable downtown dwellings, but not as inexpensive as they should be, given their size.
THE VERDICT: This area has been booming since the decommissioning of the military base in 1996. Original homes are being levelled in favour of larger domiciles, but the area’s shops, green space and restaurants outshine any unimaginative architecture.
NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Canadian Air and Space Museum Aviation lovers can tour the original 1929 de Havilland factory, and peruse exhibits celebrating the infamous Avro Arrow and anti-submarine aircraft. Downsview Park, 65 Carl Hall Rd., 416-638-6078.
The Hangar A massive indoor sports complex, The Hangar hosts plenty of camps for children throughout the summer, and draws recreation enthusiasts all year round to its volleyball courts and soccer fields. Downsview Park, 75 Carl Hall Rd., 416-638-8478.
La Pasiva The only Canadian outpost of this Uruguay diner chain, La Pasiva serves huge steak sandwiches. 896 Wilson Ave., 416-636-6555.
Nearby Restaurants
La Pasiva
Uruguayan cuisine is not known in this city, even if some of its staples are ... (1.62 km away)
Nearby Shopping and Services
Loconte Fine Meats and Deli
The Loconte family’s enthusiasm for Italian food is obvious, judging by the house-made salami, pancetta ... (1.94 km away)
PastaCo
This shop–dining room does a roaring trade, and it’s easy to see why: the pasta ... (2.25 km away)
Commuting
- 401 and 400:
- 3.5 km
- King and Bay:
- 13.1 km
- Gardiner and 427:
- 14.7 km
- Subways:
- Downsview Station 2.4 km
- Yorkdale Station 2.8 km
- Wilson Station 2.9 km
Commuting and subway distances measured from neighbourhood centre.
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