Podcast

The Village of Yorkville began as a residential suburb styled by Victorian-style homes, quiet tree lined streets and beautiful gardens in the 1830s. It was later annexed by the city of Toronto.

In the 1960s Yorkville flourished as Toronto's Bohemian cultural centre where "head shops" and coffee shops were bountiful. Kind of a "hippy" congregation area in the city with noteworthy addresses like Roshdale college, Yorkville transgressed into a rather run down part of the city.

Way back in the 1970’s when I was a bushy haired (actually comparable to an afro) hippy hanging out in Toronto, Yorkville was a disappointing and dilapidated bunch of empty run down row houses and coffee shops where street kids panhandled and druggies made their connections. By the 1980s and 1990s Yorkville transitioned into a distinctive mix of high-end retail, fashion boutiques and bars and cafes. Many retail stores include Prada, Gucci, MAC Cosmetics, Hugo Boss and Louis Vuitton are found here. 

In the 80’s the Yorkville area got it’s kick start by having the city designate Yorkville to-be a sheik shopping area. Many locals thought they were crazy. It is actually a very condensed area principally consisting of 3 streets (Yorkville, Cumberland and Bloor) bordered on the east at Yonge Street where 20 Collier is being marketed and on the west with Avenue Road (which turns into University south of Queen’s Park). Minto Developments has just completed another one of its monuments, “The Prince Arthur” and consistent with their impeccable reputation as quality upper end builders they have done a magnificent job once again.

This is not to suggest that luxury condominiums are just now being added to Toronto’s Rodeo Drive. Quite on the contrary, way back in my days with Olympia York at the Queen’s Quay Residences on the harbourfront, Renaissance Plaza was built, magnificently arching around a picturesque historic church. They say things don’t get older, just better and the quality of this distinct Canadian address just keeps on keeping up with the time. Renaissance Court came along a little while later but had difficulty living up to its predecessors reputation.

It’s not bad mind you and the big three in real estate (location, location, location) are all nicely met. Hazelton Lanes shopping and restaurants are all attached.

66 Avenue Road is another great private condo. All of the units are spacious and detailed expressly for the upper end buyer. Shoppers have to walk across Avenue Rd to shop and enjoy the trendy restaurants or have tea at the Four Seasons. A nice new Hilton has also added to the ambiance of Yorkville. Hazelton Lanes Residences at 55 Avenue Rd came along later.

Exclusive shops rule on Yorkville as they do along Cumberland just one street south. On the corner of Bay and Cumberland is the Maxus which is a really nice development.

I was walking through Yorkville last weekend and was mid way into a conversation about what a great development site the corner of Yorkville and Bay would make. Just as I was telling her that it was the type of property that Minto should be after, I saw the zoning change signs and sure enough . . . . Minto building a 35 floor residential condo.  Tune in shortly for the details and a Simplycondos Premiere on it.   If you are interested in registering for a prerelease viewing contact me at simplycondos@gmail.com.

The block running from Harry Rosen’s store on Bloor St to Avenue Road boasts 3 other quality residential condominium developments.   102 Bloor Street West was built only a couple years ago and 110 Bloor which has been there for quite a while but which still offers luxury, comfort, spacious suites, great views and location, as well as No 10 Bellair Street.

Scollard St. has a couple of nice condos in 1331 Bay Street and 40 Scollard.    One of the best residential condominium developments to come along in a very long while is located just at the top of Bay Street where it meets Davenport.    It is called the Domus In Yorkville and is really worth your while checking out.  

Yorkville is a wealthy neighbourhood that has recently expanded it's boundaries just south of Bloor St. to Charles St. where you will find a lot of new presale high end residential condos such as 1 St. Thomas , The St. Thomas, The Uptown Residences, and Crystal Blue Condos, 77 Charles St. qualifying as "Yorkville" (which means around $1,000 per square foot). It's northern border is now Belmont Avenue incorporating Domus and townhouses on McAlpine and the upcoming Florian. Yonge St. (where you'll find 18 Yorkville and the upcoming 1 Bloor St. East ) forms it's East boundary and Avenue Rd. (where you'll find quality developments like The Prince Arthur, 99 Avenue Road, Hazelton Lanes Residences, Rennaisance Plaza and Rennaisance Court) to the West.

Yorkville commands upwards of $1,000 per square foot these days and people are still sleeping out on door steps to be first in line to buy.

I'll say good bye for now.   I'm Charles Laurie Hanes

Underground: Downtown Walkway "Path" Neighbourhoods: Annex, Avondale, Bay Corridor, Bloor East, Casa Loma, Chinatown, Downtown East, Entertainment District, Fashion District, Financial District, Harbourfront, King West Village, Merton, North York, Queen West, Rosedale, St.Lawrence, Summerhill, Yonge & Eglinton, Yonge & St. Clair, York Mills, Yorkville

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