aToronto Real Estate Agents | Julie Kinnear

Toronto real estate with personality. Detailed Toronto neighbourhoods guide with recommendations and pictures.

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Toronto Real Estate Agents | Julie Kinnear
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Bloor West Village Real Estate

SEE BELOW FOR UP-TO-DATE NEIGHBOURHOOD PRICE AND
SALES STATS AND FOR RESTAURANT REVIEW ENTRY FORM.

Bloor and Durie Streets
Bloor and Durie Streets

In the 1850's, the area now known as BLOOR WEST VILLAGE was the property of Lieutenant Colonel William Smith Durie, the first commanding officer of the Queens Own Rifles. The street that ran through his estate is now known as Durie Street.

The present day neighbourhood began to be developed in 1909 when this district became part of the City of Toronto. Bloor West's first residents were immigrants of Eastern European background. These are the residents who helped found the Bloor West Village Business Improvement Area, the first of its kind in Canada. This shopping district has helped make Bloor West Village one of Toronto's most popular neighbourhoods - family friendly and home to such highly regarded public schools as:

  • Runnymede Jr. & Sr. School
  • Humbercrest Public School
  • Annette St. Jr. & Sr. School
  • Humberside Collegiate Institute
  • Runnymede Collegiate Institute
  • Western Technical-Commercial School

As well as a host of acclaimed separate and private schools.

BWV home 2
BWV home 2

Bloor West Village is a popular neighbourhood for families. It is within walking distance of High Park - Toronto's biggest and best known park, featuring a 399 acre parkland containing picnic areas, flower gardens, animal paddocks, a restaurant, an outdoor amphitheatre, sports facilities, a trackless train, an adventure playground and a large pond.

Other parks easily accessible to Bloor West residents, include:

  • Smythe Park
  • Lambton Park
  • Magwood Park
  • Home Smith Park
  • Etienne Brule Park
  • Berry Road Park
  • South Humber Park
  • Rennie Park
  • Earlscourt Park

Bloor West Village homes are all fairly similar in size and style having been built in a relatively short period of time between 1912 and 1923. These houses feature decorative oak accents, hardwood floors, and fireplaces, as well as deep front porches that are well shaded by the majestic Oak and Maple trees that line the streets of this neighbourhood.

BWV home 4
BWV home 4

The Bloor West Village shopping district, which attracts shoppers from all over the city, is as much about eating as it is about shopping. It's a virtual smorgasbord of bakeries, delicatessens, specialty food shops, cafes and restaurants that grows so lively on Saturdays that it feels like there's always a festival going on! Convenience stores, fruit and vegetable markets, dry cleaners, video stores, and other shops catering to everyday household needs, can also be found on Jane and Annette Streets. An annual street festival in August lets the many family-owned businesses display their wares in tents and under awnings.

Bloor Meat Market
Bloor Meat Market
Snapper
Snapper

Annette Recreation Centre at 333 Annette Street, attached to the Annette Street public school, has an indoor pool, a small gym and a baseball diamond. A little bit east of the Annette Centre is the Annette Street Public Library at 145 Annette Street, which offers programs for adults, children, and preschoolers. 

Additional libraries serving Bloor West Village include:

  • High Park Library, 228 Roncesvalles
  • Jane-Dundas, 620 Jane
  • Parkdale, 1303 Queen W
  • Runnymede, 2178 Bloor W 

Residents also enjoy programming at Swansea Community Recreation Centre at 15 Waller Avenue and Swansea Town Hall at 95 Lavinia Avenue.

BWV home 1
BWV home 1

The Jane and Runnymede subway stations are part of the Bloor-Danforth subway line and both are within walking distance of the homes in Bloor West Village. The Annette Street bus connects passengers to the Dupont subway station on the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line. There are additional bus routes on Jane Street and Runnymede Road. Motorists are approximately ten minutes from the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard. Both these routes provide quick access into and out of the city.

Map of Bloor West Village - click to enlarge

Map Bloor West Village
Map Bloor West Village
May 2010June 2010July 2010
# sales Freehold292118
Average Sold Price Detached$694,931$775,534$710,750
Average Sold Price Semi$492,856$537,975$513,500
Average % List - Sale Det.103.59103.0699
Average % List - Sale price Semi104.599.7597.75
Average Days on Mkt Det.101519
Average Days on Mkt Semi8817
% Detached938178
% Attached/Semi/Row71922
# 2 storey221715
# 2.5 or 3 storey432
# other styles311

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Top rated restaurants »

5 (1) Queen's Pasta Cafe
Queen's Pasta Cafe offers the most mouth-watering pasta in town! In addition to the typical types of pasta dishes (all beautifully prepared), the menu offers many less-than-usual recipes, all of which are succulent. The service is outstanding, and the staff make our 5-year-old daughter feel most welcome. The prices are reasonable, given the quality of the food and the generous serving sizes. It's our favorite BWV restaurant -- we go there for most of our "special" family dinners out.
4.5 (2) Sweet Gallery
Delicious European pastries & foods for those with a sweet tooth.
4.25 (4) Falafel World
Great Middle Eastern foods next to home.
4 (1) Strada
Of course Strada is a chain, part of the Il Fornello franchise, but it's worth reviewing to let you know that the food is really good, the decor is light & bright, and there is a great selection of wheat & dairy free pizzas for those allergic to normal 'za. The great thing about Strada is that it's entirely reliable - whether you're having a nice intimate lunch or a big party at the bar, you know exactly what you're going to get every time: good food and value.
4 (1) Olive Mediterranean Cafe
This little café is a great place to sit for a quiet coffee and sumptuous pastry in the evenings. The owners obviously believe in good food and drink.

Top rated services »

5 (1) Pivot Sport Medicine and Orthopaedics
Pivot is comprised of a diverse group of top-notch health-care experts: sports phyicians, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and chiropractors. The staff are incredibly caring, generous, and skilled, and their expertise is sought after by professional athletes, dancers, and the everday lay person. It's rare to find such a variety of experts in one place, all of whom work in a collaborative fashion to provide the best outcome for their patients.
5 (1) Evymama Nursing and Maternity Boutique
Finally, the store Bloor West Village has long needed. Evymama is a maternity boutique with the most beautiful maternity clothing in Toronto's west end - by far! They also specialize in nursing clothing, nursing bras and baby carriers. It's all gorgeous! The staff is incredible and very knowledgeable. They even have a nursing room with bathroom, change table and a kids play area. Evymama is at 266 Jane St., just north of Bloor.
5 (1) Inti Crafts
Amazing silver jewellery!!!!!! Need I say more? It's right next to a futon store at the corner of Howland & Bloor, and there are always exotic clothes & vases & stuff from South America in the windows. If you can get past the guessing game of 'is it a bongo drum or a chair?' and make it into the store, you will find case after case of the most beautifully hand crafted silver earrings, pendants, bracelets and chains, many with semi precious stones and elaborate designs. There are also accessories like handbags, household decor, and furniture. It is an amazing store and has been around forever. There is something for every person and every budget!
4 (1) Max's Market
Great local market with fresh fruit and vegetables and wide selection of delicacies. Not cheap. One star off for price. Fine and prepared foods, fresh meats & food products from around the world.
4 (1) Eden European Spa
A great place to get your nails & feet done - amazing quality at Yonge Street dive prices! You can get a professional manicure & pedicure for only $40 - book well in advance as this service is very popular, and the price hasn't changed in years. They will take their time, never using razor blades on your feet or otherwise being rough, and use quality instruments & polishes. The spa looks wonderful, I have never gotten any other services there but everything looks very clean and professional. Now that summer's here I'll be booking early :)

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