Danforth Village is well known for its shopping district along Danforth Avenue. The Danforth’s many shops and restaurants reflect the multicultural flavour of the residents who live in this neighbourhood.
The relative affordability of the houses in Danforth Village, together with the convenience of the Bloor-Danforth subway line make this neighbourhood an excellent choice for first time home buyers.
This neighbourhood has become a recent hot spot for young professionals’ many of whom are noted artists. It would not surprise if your neighbour was a member of the Toronto Symphony, Canadian Opera, or film and television performers; a far cry from the blue collar families that once proliferated in this neighbourhood. The “Danny” as this neighbourhood is affectionately known attracts visitors from across the city in the springtime to a number of popular street festivals; and in the Fall garden tours together with studio visits provide an up close opportunity to get to know your neighbours. This neighbourhood is proud of its active parent participation in the school system which has welcomed many new families in recent years.
History
Danforth Village, north of the Danforth, was land originally held by the Church of England. Local street names like Glebemount, and Glebeholme, are reminders that this was once Church land.
The land south of the Danforth was not held by the Church. This land was originally owned by families engaged in either farming or in the brick making business.
Danforth Avenue, this neighbourhood’s main thoroughfare, is named after Asa Danforth, an American contractor who built Kingston road in 1799 but ironically he had nothing to do with the building of Danforth Avenue.
After being annexed to the City of Toronto in 1908 Danforth Village began to be subdivided. The two most significant events in the growth of this neighbourhood were the completion of the Prince Edward Viaduct in 1918, and the opening of the Bloor – Danforth subway in 1966.
Homes in Danforth Village
North of the Danforth the streets are lined with semi-detached houses that feature distinctive front porches. South of the Danforth the homes are more varied ranging in size and style from Victorian semis, to bungalows and newer townhouses.
The typical Danforth Village home was built in the 1920′s or 1930′s.
Transportation
Danforth Village is well served by public transit. The Bloor- Danforth subway has stations at Greenwood, Coxwell, Woodbine, Main, and Victoria Park. There is also a Go Train station at Danforth and Main. Regular bus or streetcar service runs on Greenwood, Coxwell, Gerrard, and Woodbine Avenue.
Danforth Avenue provides motorists with easy access to the downtown while commuters are ten to fifteen minutes from the Don Valley Parkway and Lake Shore Boulevard.
Recreation
High Park, a 399 acre parkland, is within walking distance of Bloor West Village. This Toronto landmark contains picnic areas, flower gardens, animal paddocks, a restaurant, an outdoor amphitheatre, sports facilities, a trackless train, an adventure playground and a large pond.
Annette Recreation Centre is attached to the Annette Street public school. This Centre has an indoor pool, a small gymnasium and a baseball diamond. A little bit east of the Annette Centre is the Annette Street Public Library which offers programs for adults, children, and preschoolers.
Bloor West Village also has one movie theatre Ü the Humber Ü which is conveniently located on Bloor Street, just west of Jane Street.
Schools
Annette Jr. & Sr., 265 Annette Street., (416) 393-9040
(Public School)
Humberside Collegiate Institute, 280 Quebec Ave., (416) 393-0000
(Public High School)
Western Technical Commercial School, 125 Evelyn Cres., (416) 393-0500
(Public High School)
St. Cecilia, 355 Annette St., (416) 393-5218
(Separate School)
St. Pius X, 71 Jane St., (416) 393-5237
(Separate School)
Legend:
(P) Public School
(PH) Public High School
(CA) Catholic School
(PR) Private School
(PC) Private Catholic School
(PJ) Private Jewish School
(C) College
(U) University
Neighborhood information courtesy of Toronto Neighborhoods.
