Tailor-made for upper-middle-class<br /> families, High Park–Swansea has few<br /> entry-level homes. In 2005, 6 Mossom<br /> Place sold for $975,000
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

Median 2007 sale price:
$1,160,000
Property crime:
very low
Crime against people:
very low
Neighbourhood map:
See map

In a few 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, of course, the city’s largest cultivated and organized public green space, High Park. John Howard, an English-born architect, painter and city surveyor, became the greatest single benefactor in Toronto history when he gave us both his 400-acre park and his home, Colborne Lodge, in 1873. In the early 1890s, the city extended transit service to the park, a boon to the bankers and other luminaries who started building their houses on such nearby streets as Indian Road and High Park Boulevard. This housing development occurred around the same time that Palmerston and St. George were sprouting similarly grand homes. The neighbourhood offers some of the best lots in the city, both alongside the park and on Riverside Drive, where Lucy Maud Montgomery spent her later years. Swansea, the community to the west of the park, is an extremely cohesive neighbourhood, 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, and the more modern two-storey abodes in the extreme southwest, close to the QEW. Many residences have been enhanced with renovations in recent years.

BARGAIN ZONES: In general, the best deals to be found are on the leafy but loud stretches of Southport and Windermere that (unfortunately) run alongside the busy Queensway.

THE VERDICT: Families wanting to mitigate big city life with a little contained rustic charm are drawn to this neighbourhood, made for dogs and kids. With shopping and entertainment in Bloor West Village to the north and Roncesvalles to the east, there’s little reason to ever leave (except to go to work to pay that big mortgage).

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Bark & Fitz Part of a chain of high-end canine boutiques, Bark & Fitz has become a de facto hangout in this exceedingly dog-friendly area. 1959 Bloor St. W., 416-916-6207.
The Cheese Boutique Long since graduated from neighbourhood secret to city-wide institution, this cheese stalwart is also beloved for its meats, breads and produce. 45 Ripley Ave., 416-762-6292.
Grenadier Café & Tea House Stop at this café in the heart of High Park for a Sunday afternoon hot dog. 200 Parkside Dr., 416-769-9870.

Nearby Restaurants
Villa

Floor-to-ceiling ripples of red tile on one wall add punch to this otherwise low-key Bloor ... (1.03 km away)

Queen’s Pasta Café

This Bloor West Village fixture has weathered the no-carb fad, serving freshly made pasta for ... (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 though immaculate decor at this humble slice of eastern Europe on Bloor West ... (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 ages cheese better than the Pristine family, which is why so many of ... (0.44 km away)

Hypnosis for Childbirth

Certified hypno­therapist and registered midwife Shawn Gallagher believes mental gymnastics are the key to getting ... (0.87 km away)

Trove

Cool girls flock to Trove to dip their fingers in the sparkling loot, whimsical accessories ... (1.03 km away)

Interiors Only

Nestled in the heart of Bloor West Village, Interiors Only carries wool carpets, hardwood flooring, ... (1.04 km away)

Cut-Rate Clothing

Casual cotton sportswear for women is the focus here, whether it’s shorts, pants, skirts or ... (1.05 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

This packed-to-the-rafters shop will impress even the most seasoned shopper. The left side is full ... (1.05 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.

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Today in Toronto: July 4, 2009

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