The Annex borders the streets, west from Bathurst to Avenue Road on the East and North up to Dupont and south down to Bloor. If you aren’t familiar with this area you should spend a day walking around to take it all in! You will see beautiful mature tree lined streets and large stately homes. Most of which having been renovated or restored.
The Annex remains one of Toronto’s premier Neighbourhoods and here’s why!
Who Lives Here
This is one of Toronto’s oldest areas with large stately homes and mature tree lined streets. The Annex’s first residents included Timothy Eaton of Eaton’s Department store and George Gooderham, president of Gooderham and Worts Distillery. This area is home to many students and the faculty of the University as well as prominent artists and business people. It’s an area rich with culture and vibrancy.
Neighbourhood Amenities
Rich with culture and the Arts, and bordering on the University of Toronto Campus, makes this area home to many students and fraternities. With that comes fun and popular student venues such as Madison Avenue Pub and Restaurant known for the many British style pubs and patios. You’ve got to try Paupers Pub as it’s another well-known restored Building with casual eatery and excellent City views!
Green Spaces
The Annex is Known for its big impact on the community is the The Annex Residents Association. They saved the area from the Spadina Expressway preserving the History and Architecture. The Annex Residents Association was established in 1925 and is a 100% volunteer run organization fully committed to improving and preserving the Annex Neighbourhood. Learn more about the Association here: The Annex Residents Association.
Local Favourites
Besides the well-known high-end shops and dining on Bloor, there are also many tucked away eclectic cafes and indie bookshops making for a great evening stroll out in the City.
If you are in the area near Bathurst Street, check out the Hot Docs Ted Rogers century old Cinema. This is a year-round home for Canadian and International Documentaries. Originally this was built as a movie theatre and actually still operates as a cinema today, however it also hosts many Independent Film festivals and is a part of the Bloor Street Culture Coridor (BCC).
Your Next Home
I had recently spent some time walking the area and I loved seeing these large old homes restored to their former beauty. Homes known as an “Annex Style House” were mainly built in the late 1800’s up to the early 1900’s which showcased large Victorian and Edwardian Architecture.
The Annex style house concept was attributed to E.S. Lennox whom was a prominent architect in the late nineteenth century Toronto. He borrowed elements from American Richardson Romanesque and the British Queen Anne Revival. You will notice many large round arches and decorative turrets. Many homes in this area are protected today by the Toronto Historical Board so you won’t see many of them being torn down.
While there’s no shortage of Historic neighbourhoods in Old Toronto, this certainly remains one of the most prominent. Are you ready to learn what it takes to live here?
Check out this listing in the Annex! 128 Pears Ave.
