Condos for Sale in East End, Toronto, ON

The East End is to Toronto what Brooklyn is to Manhattan. It’s a little quieter, the buildings are certainly less imposing, and everything is more hip east of the Don River. For example, the Danforth may be a continuation of Bloor Street, geographically speaking, but the businesses along this stretch of the road are small, independent, and often quirky.

East End condos for sale can be found in a number of neighbourhoods, as the area reaches all the way from the Don River to Victoria Park Avenue, and from the Danforth to Lake Shore Boulevard East. And while the general vibe is fairly constant throughout, neighbourhoods like The Beaches, and Leslieville & South Riverdale all have advantages of their own.

Leslieville residents, for example, benefit from their close proximity to Queen Street East. For a long time Queen West has been associated with hip snack bars and concert venues, but in recent years Leslieville has proven there’s another Queen in town.

Even the boutique hotels on Queen West now have some competition in the East End. The recently opened (or reopened we should say) Broadview Hotel inhabits a building on Queen East that was erected in 1893. First a mixed-use building housing retail and office spaces, and then numerous iterations of a hotel, the grand reopening of the Broadview Hotel happened in 2016. It’s hard to believe a hotel that once rented rooms for as little as $1.50 per night would eventually receive a $24 million facelift — but that’s inflation for you.

East End condos for sale situated in Greenwood & Coxwell, North Riverdale & Blake-Jones also have much to offer. Prospective buyers are often drawn to these neighbourhoods for their proximity to the Danforth, also known as Greektown. There’s a huge Greek population living throughout Toronto’s East End, and the businesses along the Danforth reflect this demographic. Visitors can indulge in gyros from Messini and spanikopita from Athens Pastries year round, while a trip to the annual Taste of the Danforth festival is a great way to sample as many at once.

These neighbourhoods also happen to be situated close to Riverdale Park East, an 18-hectare green space that contains an outdoor swimming pool, an off-leash dog area, a bike trail and running track, and plenty of multipurpose fields. But perhaps this park is best known for a less rigorous activity: watching the sunset. Situated just far enough from Toronto’s skyscrapers, the hill along the east side of the park is a popular spot for couples to hang out on summer evenings.

Speaking of green spaces, prospective buyers who want to maximize their time spent outdoors might want to consider East End condos for sale in the Beaches. This neighbourhood, situated along the waterfront between Woodbine Avenue and Victoria Park, is home to not one but four beaches. Residents have their pick between Woodbine Beach, Kew Beach, Scarboro Beach, and Balmy Beach, and they can also ensure they get a prime spot — even on a sunny summer Saturday when the entire population of Toronto seems to materialize on the beach.

Upon entering the area, it immediately becomes obvious that East End condos for sale are rarer than their counterparts in the City Center - Toronto. In fact, while downtown is home to more than 600 condos, the East End contains just over 100. So while East End buyers will have to work a little harder to secure a place, they also won’t be nearly as overwhelmed by choice.

History buffs seeking authentic hard lofts can look no further than Leslieville and South Riverdale, which were both formerly home to light industry. Following a period of deindustrialization in the area, developers took the opportunity to convert disused warehouses and factories into stunning homes. Prospective buyers can choose between living in a former chewing gum factory at Wrigley Lofts, or a converted Coca-Cola plant and knitting mill at The Knitting Mill Lofts and I-Zone Live Worklofts.

As for those who prefer to live as close as possible to the waterfront, Glen Manor is a fine choice. Located just steps from Lake Ontario, the building also happens to be intimate as ever: it contains just 11 suites in total. Buyers who don’t mind walking five minutes to reach the beach can also opt for homes at 101 Hammersmith, the Waterworks Lofts, and The Boardwalk and The Boardwalk II.

Travelling to and from the East End is simple, whether by car, on foot, or via public transit. Those living to the north can rely on the Bloor-Danforth subway line to reach the city centre, while condos situated further south are serviced by the Dundas and Queen streetcars.

As for drivers, Kingston Road and Lake Shore Boulevard East come in handy for anyone heading toward downtown Toronto or into the suburbs via the 401. The Don Valley Parkway is also situated along the western border of the area, making life easier for those who plan to drive north on the regular.

The Locals: Hip, trendy, and everything in between.

Code of Conduct: It’s entirely possible to go weeks without visiting downtown or the West End.

What You’ll Find: Some of the best moussaka in the city.

What You Won’t Find: Soaring towers.

The Homes: The East End contains a perfect balance of single-family homes and mid-sized condos.

Sealing the Deal: The nonchalant yet cool atmosphere.