Tailor-made for upper-middle-class
families, High Park–Swansea has few
entry-level homes. In 2005, 6 Mossom
Place sold for $975,000
Real Estate Guide › West
High Park - Swansea
- Average 2008 sale price:
- $544,423
- Property crime:
- very low
- Crime against people:
- very low
- Neighbourhood map:
- See map
In some neighbourhoods, a single major civic asset overshadows all others, and adds incalculable value to houses and apartments for at least half a dozen blocks in every direction. The asset here is the city’s largest public green space, High Park. John Howard, an English-born architect, painter and city surveyor, became the greatest benefactor in Toronto history when he donated both his 400-acre park and his home, Colborne Lodge, in 1873. In the early 1890s, newly built roads to the park allowed bankers and other luminaries to construct their homes on nearby Indian Road and High Park Boulevard. The nabe offers some of the best lots in the city, both alongside the park and on Riverside Drive. Swansea, the region to the west of the park, is a cohesive community, with its own town hall and the city’s smallest public library.
HOUSING STOCK: Brick and stone mansions on High Park Boulevard and Indian Road give way to Swansea’s smaller but very smart brick and stone homes close to the park. The more modern two-storey abodes are in the extreme southwest, close to the scenic but loud QEW.
BARGAIN ZONES: In general, the best deals are on the stretches of Southport and Windermere that run along the Queensway.
THE VERDICT: Made for dogs and kids, the area attracts families wanting to mitigate big-city life with contained rustic charm. With shopping and entertainment in Bloor West Village to the north and Roncesvalles to the east, there’s no reason to leave (except to go to work to pay that big mortgage).
NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Bark & Fitz The high-end canine boutique has become a de facto hangout in this dog-friendly area. 1959 Bloor St. W., 416-916-6207.
The Cheese Boutique A neighbourhood stalwart for fromage fans. 45 Ripley Ave., 416-762-6292.
Nearby Restaurants
Queen’s Pasta Café
This Bloor West Village fixture has been serving freshly made pasta for more than two ... (1.04 km away)
Yellow Griffin Pub
No ordinary burger joint, this lively British-style pub features a selection of over 35 burgers. ... (1.08 km away)
Yama Sushi
Tucked between trendy shops in the west village, this tiny, quaint Japanese restaurant offers everything ... (1.11 km away)
Amber European
The dated decor at this humble slice of eastern Europe on Bloor West is easily ... (1.11 km away)
Mackenzie’s Bar & Grill
Always hopping with regulars, this laid-back neighbourhood pub serves up a hearty and varied selection ... (1.35 km away)
Nearby Shopping and Services
Cheese Boutique
No one in Toronto ages cheese better than the Pristine family, which is why so ... (0.44 km away)
Bloor Meat Market
A butcher’s since 1929, this bustling shop with Old World charm—a quaint cashier’s booth, folk-art ... (1.05 km away)
Max’s Market
Locals needing anything from a main course to a side dish hit this long, sleek ... (1.05 km away)
Sweet Flour Bake Shop
This custom cookie shop taps into the double chunk–loving child in all of us. The ... (1.08 km away)
Snappers Fish Market
A perfect local fish shop. Owner and fishmonger Laurie Hamilton chats with her customers while ... (1.08 km away)
Commuting
- Gardiner and 427:
- 6.7 km
- King and Bay:
- 7.6 km
- 401 and 400:
- 9.0 km
- Subways:
- Runnymede Station 1.1 km
- Jane Station 1.2 km
- High Park Station 1.6 km
Commuting and subway distances measured from neighbourhood centre.
Follow Toronto Life on Twitter, Facebook and via RSS