Homes for Sale in Leslieville | South Riverdale, Toronto, ON

Funky is a word that should be used sparingly, however it suits Leslieville and South Riverdale to a tee: the area is quirky, unconventional, and cool. South Riverdale has managed to keep a low profile, and although its history is rich, Leslieville has only been on the real estate radar as of the early 2000’s, when revitalization efforts finally gained momentum, and Leslieville condos became something worth talking about. Fast forward, and Toronto condos for sale in this neighbourhood are incredibly desirable.

South Riverdale’s most recognizable historic structure is the Broadview Hotel, which dates back to 1891. Leslieville, on the other hand, began as home to both factories and the Toronto Nurseries, meaning residents in the 1850’s generally worked in either of these industries. The latter was in fact named after the Leslie family, owners of the eponymous nurseries.

The revitalization of South Riverdale was a slow process; however, no demolition signaled a change in the neighbourhood’s value like that of a local trash incinerator known as the Don Destructor; the annihilation of a 52-year-old garbage-burning site ushered in a new era for the area, which is now overflowing with local businesses and idiosyncratic individuals.

Attractions and amenities nearby echo the sentiment of the area’s trendy young neighbours. Yoga studios are abundant, as well as boutiques selling local artisan goods. Leslieville and South Riverdale weekend and after-work activities are eccentric as ever — ladies seeking exercise can join the Toronto Newsgirls, a women’s only boxing club, or those looking to expand their repertoire of skills may opt to take shoemaking classes at the Art and Sole Academy.

All residents of Leslieville and South Riverdale need to do in order to reach Lake Ontario is head to the southern border of the neighbourhood, and cross over to the south side of Lake Shore Boulevard East. Once on the Port Lands, options include trekking along the Leslie Spit, picnicking on Cherry Beach, or attending a posh party at Cabana Pool Bar or Rebel.

The overall spirit of the neighbourhood is somewhere in between unconventional and ultrahip. Anyone looking for proof can simply walk down Bertmount Avenue, past the infamous ‘Crazy Doll House,’ and turn onto Queen east before grabbing an artisanal coffee and an even more artisanal donut.

Remnants of Leslieville’s industrial past are plentiful: the de-industrialization of the neighbourhood invited developers to creatively repurpose former factories and warehouses, ushering in tenants who are intrigued by the distinctive spaces. While film production companies took advantage of the large studio spaces straightaway, creative-minded residents only followed later on, filling up the homes slowly but surely.

Notable Leslieville condos include conversions like the Garment Factory Lofts, a combination of hard lofts with a contemporary addition above, and the Wrigley Lofts, which boasts live-work spaces inside a former gum factory. The Printing Factory also resides in a printing press built in 1913 that has been converted to lofts 100 years later. The loft building features modern add-ons as well, in the form of townhouses and a new glass superstructure.

Due to Toronto’s ever-increasing density, as well as the desirability of the Leslieville and South Riverdale neighbourhood in particular, there are also a number of contemporary Leslieville condos in the area. Developers and architects working in the neighbourhood seem to understand that the last thing anyone wants here is anything towering or overshadowing; instead, even the newest Leslieville and South Riverdale condos are shorter in stature, with façades that attempt to blend in with existing neighbouring buildings.

With major thoroughfares running through the neighbourhood like Queen, Dundas St W and Gerrard, most residents have reasonable access to local shops and businesses; this is particularly helpful for residents who prefer to run errands on foot, as those near major roads will have no issue getting things done without a vehicle or public transit.

The west border of Leslieville and South Riverdale happens to be the Don River, which is actually quite beneficial for drivers living in the neighbourhood. The Don Valley Parkway is a highway that starts at Lake Shore Boulevard East and reaches north to the 401, and it’s always a great choice for those heading out of the city or into the suburbs. Likewise, the Gardiner Expressway is equally convenient for those travelling west of downtown Toronto.

In terms of public transit, residents living in Leslieville and South Riverdale can take northbound buses along Jones or Greenwood or the Broadview Streetcar to reach subway stations on the Bloor-Danforth line. The Queen streetcar also happens to run 24-hours a day, allowing passengers to access the downtown core with ease.

The Locals: Quirky parents, cool entrepreneurs, and eccentric retirees.

Code of Conduct: Participation in community activities is actually enjoyable, and not just another chore.

What You’ll Find: Charming local businesses and locals who frequent them.

What You Won’t Find: A lack of hipsters—young and old.

The Homes: Heritage-buildings-turned-hard-lofts galore.

Sealing the Deal: Neighbourly charisma alongside historical charm.