High Park

Overlooking one of Toronto’s most renowned and beautiful parks can be a dream come true for many homeowners. Offering both a quick subway ride to the downtown core and the serene nature of the park and surrounding areas, it’s no wonder High Park is such a popular choice for people looking to live in the west end of Toronto and often referred to as an ‘urban oasis’.

In this guide you will find:

Recently Listed:

Leased
706 Indian Road #Upper (Second and Third Floors) - West Toronto - High Park

706 Indian Road #Upper (Second and Third Floors)
West Toronto - High Park

$3,500

Rare find! High Park Upper Floors Duplex for lease. Attractively Upgraded Two-level, 2 Bed, 2 Bath. Private Entrance, Two sundecks, loads of storage. Deluxe Open Plan Kitchen With Quartz Counters, Food Island with bistro bar, 5-burner Gas Stove. 1 Private Parking Space. BBQ gas hookup & tree-lined outlook from the west-facing upper sundeck. Hardwood flooring on the 2nd floor. Short walk to The Junction, High Park, TTC, GO & UP Express Direct to Downtown!

Sold Over Asking
92 Indian Road - West Toronto - High Park

92 Indian Road
West Toronto - High Park

$1,999,000

Dream your own dream in High Park. Move-in ready as a perfectly proportioned duplex, could easily turn into a triplex or could be a glorious castle of a single family home.

This year there has been a year of clarifying values for many. Be close to the ones you love! Two siblings, two friends, two families, or two generations could buy this GRAND purpose-built duplex together and have as much space as they’d have in two semi-detached houses combined. (Way more affordable and much better value than 2 semis in such a great location!) You could even finish the basement and have another suite (or 2) to work with.

You could also convert it to a single-family home! Have you been looking forever for a home to make all your own? This is a great opportunity - set on a huge lot. It has been renovated, super solidly built with great bones to start with plus exceptional mechanicals and of course, is located on an iconic street in one of the best neighbourhoods in the city!

Sold
1990 Bloor Street West #906 - West Toronto - High Park

1990 Bloor Street West #906
West Toronto - High Park

$1,079,000

Chic & Spacious 2 Bedroom Plus Den Across From Beautiful High Park!

Sold
421 Glenlake Avenue - West Toronto - High Park

421 Glenlake Avenue
West Toronto - High Park

$1,149,000

421 Glenlake Avenue is a gorgeous renovated 2.5-storey family home in the heart of High Park with extensive high-end finishings and spectacular views from all windows.

Sold
227 Grenadier Road - West Toronto - High Park

227 Grenadier Road
West Toronto - High Park

$1,895,000

Fabulous Investment Property in Prime High Park / Roncesvalles!
227 Grenadier Road is a grand, 4 unit detached 2.5 storey Edwardian style residence on an extra large 30 foot wide south facing lot with garage in a superb location of Roncesvalles/High Park.

Sold
100 Quebec Ave #1101 - West Toronto - High Park

100 Quebec Ave #1101
West Toronto - High Park

$899,900

100 Quebec Avenue #1101 is a 1250 square feet 3 bedroom condo with stunning views in the heart of High Park!

Recently Bought:

20 Southport St 516
20 Southport St 516
229 Grenadier Rd
229 Grenadier Rd
70 High Park Ave 1709
70 High Park Ave 1709
4 Mayfield Ave
4 Mayfield Ave
15 Windermere Ave 2103
15 Windermere Ave 2103
45 Southport St 1602
45 Southport St 1602
274 Pacific Ave
274 Pacific Ave

Some of the High Park Happy Clients - this could be you!

Scroll and click on any of the photos to watch the video testimonials ↓

The area contains a diverse mix of housing options to rent and own. Part of the beauty of this area is that condo dwellers can also be pet owners and take in both spectacular skyline views and exercise their pooch, enjoying the park all year long. The cozy winding streets have both tall oak trees and ample access to important amenities and transit with the neighbourhood encompassed roughly by Annette Street to the north, The Queensway to the south, with the western edge bordering on Clendenan Avenue and the eastern along Keele Street.

History of The Park

The Park has two owners sharing in its history: The Howard and Ellis Family. John Howard had purchased a portion of the property today known as High Park in 1836 when it was a sheep farm for just $1,000. It was during this time that Howard both designed and built Colborne Lodge as a cottage to house he and his wife Jemima. Howard was the city’s surveyor and civil engineer. To this date a third of the park is left in its own natural state, boasting a rare oak savannah. In 1854, when a railway was built to the south of the estate, Howard sold a piece of land to the Hamilton and Toronto Railway company for 300 pounds. At that time a sand bar that divided Grenadier park from Lake Ontario was filled to allow for the safe building of the reals.


Grenadier Pond

Several years later, in 1873, Howard would bequeath the property to the City of Toronto as an urban park, but his gift came with several conditions. Howard and his family were to continue to live in their cottage, there was never to be alcoholic beverages served within the park, and that the city keep the park forever more, "for the free use, benefit and enjoyment of the Citizens of Toronto for ever and to be called and designated at all times thereafter High Park".

The Ellis family, whose namesake can be seen by way of the name of Ellis Avenue, owned the western section of the park, including the Grenadier Pond. The Ellis family sold the westerly portion of the park to the Chapman family who used Grenadier pond for an ice-making business called the Grenadier Ice Company from the 1880s to the 1920’s. In 1930, their portion of the park, complete with Grenadier Pond was sold to the city for a sum of $150,000.

Indigenous Roots of The Park

Much like the rest of Canada, High Park has roots laying in indigenous culture. Throughout the life of the park, skeletons have been discovered dating back as far as 2,500 BC to 800 AD. The remains found through various excavation and road building in the park have been found coated in a red powdery hematite substance which has been connected to various indigenous people who once lived in Atlantic Canada and New England. Research from the Taiaiko’n Historical Preservation Society reveals there are 57 ancient indigenous burial sites within the park.

The Park Through Time

Over the years the park has been a place for people to meet and come together. The park once housed a schoolhouse (which has since become a Nature Centre and holds within it a small Zoo. In 2012, when the city voted to stop funding the zoo an organization called Friends of High Park Zoo was created. The group has successfully fundraised and obtained sponsors, including the Honey Family Foundation, to keep the zoo running for the public’s enjoyment.

The park has become a meeting place for sports leagues, outdoor theatre care of Shakespeare in the Park each summer, nature camps, Instagram worthy enjoyment of the annual cherry blossom bloom, as well as a place for runners, bikers, hikers, and families to enjoy the parkland oasis within city limits.

Tourist Mick reminds those visiting the area,

Don't only go for the cherry blossoms in spring. The hillside overlooking Grenadier pond is a special spot all year round.

It’s very common to run into locals experiencing the park through running groups, outdoor fitness bootcamps, and guided tours through groups like Jane’s Walk, who routinely visit the High Park area.

Architecture

High Park's winding tree-lined streets are lined with impressive Victorian, Edwardian, and Tudor-style homes. These captivating houses were built largely during the late 1800's and early 1900's, and some have been divided into multiple-family dwellings.

 
 

High Park's distinctive brick homes feature a variety of architectural details that vary from house to house, such as leaded and stained glass windows, lush wood trims, French doors, hardwood floors and fireplaces. A selection of condo buildings along Quebec Avenue, north of Bloor Street, include balconies, some of which feature south views that overlook High Park and Lake Ontario. 

Schools & Educational Facilities

Residents of High Park have access to dozens of public, private, and specialty schools, programs and daycares supporting the needs of their families including: High Park Gardens Montessori, High Park Alternative Junior School, High Park Day School, Humberside Collegiate Institute, Howard Park Junior School, Keele Street Public School, The Student School, Western Technical-Commercial School, and Ursula Franklin Academy.

In addition to access to numerous educational institutions there are also three public libraries in the immediate area including: Toronto Public Library High Park Branch, Toronto Public Library Runnymede Branch, and Toronto Public Library Swansea Memorial Branch.

Food and entertainment

There is nothing like a good cup of coffee or tea and a pastry after a brisk walk around High Park. Luckily for people in the area there are big brand cafés like Starbucks, The Second Cup, and David’s Tea, as well as smaller unique shops to enjoy your tea and croissant.

The Grenadier Café is within the park itself and is a fantastic place to put your feet up after some time in the park or enjoy one of their many breakfast specials. Amanda says,

You can't get any cheaper than $3.99 for a full breakfast (2 eggs, 3 sausages, home fries and 2 slices of toast). Coffee is about $2 (no refills unfortunately but is quite tasty.). You order at the counter, take a number, and a server brings it out to you. It has a huge patio which is great for a post workout brunch, meeting up with friends or just coming back yourself for a quick bite.

Shopping

High Park offers great shopping mostly because it’s so close to many walkable, or short drive away, destinations. High Park Villages Farmers’ Market is located at 66 Oakmount Road and runs every Sunday from late spring to the end of September. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along Bloor Street West towards Bloor West Village to gain access to fruit markets, grocery stores, bigger box stores like Soft Moc, Shopper’s Drug Mart or New Balance. Those looking for some unique shopping should head to Caleche Boutique, Trixie, and Merrygoround to get the latest in women’s fashion. If you’re looking for a more shopping-mall experience, you can head north to the Stockyards which is just 3KM to the north of High Park Subway Station.

Night Life & Restaurants

While the night life in High Park isn’t as bustling as other areas of the city there are a few gems, to enjoy some pub fare and laughs with friends.

For a true community experience Melody recommends Mackenzie’s High Park Pub saying,

We were looking for a nearby place to watch one of the Raptors' games. This is a little pub located directly across from High Park, tucked in between a few other shops. When you walk in, you immediately get that welcoming 'neighborhood' vibe. The owner/manager came and greeted us. Everyone in the bar seemed to know everyone else. The decor is sports themed and includes two dart boards. There are several TVs and a decent sound system in the bar, which makes it easy to watch the game from any spot; no awkward head turns or sore necks. There is a patio covered with a canopy. The menu is pretty extensive for the size of this pub.

Other bars to visit on the border of the park include Mugshot Tavern, and The Wicket. If you’re looking for something a little different check out Cabin Fever for pinball, craft beer and cocktails in a laid-back atmosphere. 

Thanks to its close proximity to the subway and The Junction, which was just voted by The Huffington Post UK as one of the 50 Coolest neighbourhoods in the world, provides easy access to night life when you want it, and a quiet place to enjoy time with your family the rest of the time.