| Toronto Neighbourhoods

The Annex has been one of Toronto’s elite neighbourhoods since its subdivision in the 1870s. Living in this neighbourhood means you can say you have lived where George Gooderham (president of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery) and Timothy Eaton (patriarch of the now defunct Eaton’s department store) have lived. However, this Annex neighbourhood guide is about so much more than history. While The Annex’s history is golden and illustrious, it remains today as one of Toronto’s premier neighbourhoods for a whole host of other reasons.

Architecture

The Annex features some of Toronto’s finest examples of architectural brilliance. The homes which were built between 1880 and 1910 feature design marvels such as turrets, recessed grand archways, pyramidal roofs and wooden spindled porches. These homes tend to be in the Richardsonian Romanesque, Queen Anne and Victorian styles. Homes built between 1910 and 1930 fall under the architectural styles of Georgian, English Cottage and Tudor. These homes are less elaborate than the first wave of Annex homes but are nevertheless opulent due to modern renovations.

Lifestyle

When people look up The Annex neighbourhood guide, they typically are trying to understand the lifestyle of the area. The main shopping district for those who live in The Annex are the shops along Bloor Street. From bookstores, to clothing boutiques to restaurants – there is no shortage of amenities available to you. There is also Mirvish Village (located where Honest Ed’s used to be) which features art galleries, antique stores, and one-of-a-kind specialty stores.

Recreation

During the day The Annex is full of recreational activities. Fitness buffs can choose between the Jewish Community Centre or the University of Toronto’s Athletic Centre to do their workouts.

If you are looking in to take in some sights and history, look no further than The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto or Casa Loma. Casa Loma boasts a variety of amenities such as walking tours of the property, fine dining or tea services, it also operates as a wedding venue, and even offers “escape rooms” on certain evenings.

The Annex is a vibrant spot for night life in Toronto as there are a plethora of bars, nightclubs and restaurants nearby to enjoy.

Transportation

If you travel by public transit, The Annex is one of the best places to live. There are two subway stations that serve the neighbourhood: one at Spadina and Bathurst (Bloor – Danforth line) the other at Dupont Street (Yonge – University line). If you prefer to travel around The Annex by car; hospitals, malls and universities are all under a 10 minute drive from the neighbourhood. If you wish to get to a 400 series highway, expect a 25-minute drive. It is also a 35-minute drive to Pearson airport.

This Annex neighbourhood guide would not be complete without your input! What is your favourite part of one of Canada’s most historic and elite neighbourhoods? If you are looking to buy a property in The Annex, please feel free to contact me here. I would love to help you find the right architectural gem you can call your next home.