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    What’s It Like to Live in The Annex, Toronto, Ontario?

    The Annex

    Overview

    The Annex is a vibrant neighbourhood whose residents range from successful business people, to prominent artists, to University of Toronto students and more. The neighbourhood has many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs that run along Bloor Street. A good majority of the rooming houses and multi-unit homes in the Annex have been recently converted back to single-family houses. 

    History

    This prominent neighbourhood was subdivided in the 1870’s and 1880’s. The Annex’s first residents included Timothy aton, the patriarch of Eaton’s department store. As well as Goerge Gooderham, president of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery. The Annex’s Golden Era came to an end in the 1920’s, when the upper class started to migrate northward to Forest Hill and Lawrence Park. 

    Those who continued to live in the neighbourhood helped form the Annex Residents Association. This group helped save the neighbourhood by preventing the proposed Spadina Expressway from being built. The neighbourhood has stuck around for over one hundred years and it still remains as one of Toronto’s premier neighbourhoods. 

    Real Estate

    You can find homes built between 1880 and 1910 in the Annex. Many of the architectural styles include Victorian, Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque. Some of these homes have plum and pink coloured Credit River sandstone, rich red brick, and terra cotta clay tiles that make up the exterior facades.

    Some consider the architectural detail is among the finest in the city as it features pyramidal roofs and turrets to recessed grand archways and wooden spindle porches. Many of the houses were constructed during 1910 to 1930 as well. These homes were less elaborate but are fine examples of English Cottage, Georgian and Tudor style architecture.

    Lifestyle

    The main shopping district in this area is on Bloor Street. Residents can find clothing boutiques, bookstores, food markets, travel agencies, restaurants, and outdoor cafes. There is also the Mirvish Village shopping district on Markham Street, south of Bloor Street. Here you can find a quint collection of bookstores, art galleries, antique stores, and one-of-a-kind specialty stores.

    Most of the recreational opportunities come alive at night as people from all over the city gather upon its restaurants, bars, and clubs. There are still places for fitness enthusiasts to get in shape. There is the University of Toronto’s Athletic Centre and the Jewish Community Centre at Bloor and Spadina. 

    Residents have access to the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto which offers a variety of programs and services for Toronto’s Native community and the general project. Those looking for a library will find one at 10 Spadina Road.  

    Transportation

    Residents in the Annex have ample access to public transportation. There are subway stations on Spadian and at Bathurst on the Bloor-Danforth line which is within walking distance. People can also easily use the station at Dupont Street on the Yonge-University-Spadina line. Motorists are roughly 25 minutes from the commuter highways.

    Looking to Buy Real Estate in the Annex?

    If you’re taken with the urge to explore real estate in the Annex, let us know if you have any questions. With 30 years of experience helping 1,000’s of GTA residents buy and sell property, we can address any pressing questions you may have. 

    Contact us to get started on your real estate journey in the Annex or call us at (416) 917-5466. One of our representatives would be happy to assist.

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