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
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
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
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
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.
