Neighbourhood
Leaside is a well established neighbourhood with a strong resident community made up of long time residents and growing families who genuinely take pride in their homes. In today’s real estate market, mainly young and growing families are moving into the sought after area. The neighbourhood offers a little bit of everything; good schools, shopping, transit, green space, recreational facilities and close proximity to downtown. As such, this consistently in-demand neighbourhood offers its homeowners excellent real estate appreciation potential.
History
The desirable midtown neighbourhood of Leaside is immersed in Toronto history. The Lea family, who settled in the area in the early 1800’s established a large portion of land and built their personal home (called ‘Leaside’) which later became the town’s post office. In the late 1870’s, the Ontarior and Quebec Railway Company purchased a portion of the Lea’s land to run trains through to Union Station. The Canadian Pacific Railway leased the ‘Leaside’ portion of the railway in the 1880’s to create a maintenance stop, which they also named ‘Leaside’ in honour of the Lea family. Leaside remained a town of its own from 1913 until it was incorporated into the City of Toronto in 1998.
Today, the family-friendly city area of Leaside still borders the old CP Railway tracks at its east and southern ends. In addition, a system of parklands, the Don River, and the Don Valley Parkway surround the area, creating a unique tight-knit vibe within the community.
Real Estate
Homes in Leaside are of a consistent look to other uptown and midtown Toronto neighbourhoods; generally built in the Tudor style construction of the 1930’s and 1940’s. A mix of two-storey detached homes, bungalows, and semi-detached homes can be found throughout the neighbourhood, with some bungalows receiving second floor additions in recent years. Custom, new-build homes are also popular in the area as Leaside housing attracts middle to upper income families. Properties in Leaside tend to offer larger than average lot sizes, private driveways and typically garages.
Leaside is bounded by Glenvale Boulevard to the north, Southvale Drive to the south and Leslie Street to the east, Bayview to the West.
Living in Leaside
Recent retail expansion in Leaside has introduced even more conveniences to the already vibrant shopping and dining experience available in the neighbourhood. Bayview Avenue’s independent shops, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants are popular by both Leaside residents as well as the neighbouring Davisville Village families. The more recent Leaside SmartCentre (on Laird Drive at Wicksteed Avenue) offers big box stores such as Home Depot, Best Buy and Winners, while the brand new Leaside Village shops further down Laird Drive provide upscale grocery shopping, retail and services.
The Leaside Memorial Arena offers the community a place for curling and ice hockey all year round. Trace Manes Park includes a wading pool, a baseball diamond, a playground, a public library, as well as the Leaside Tennis Club (with 6 courts). Serena Grundy Park, Sunnybrook Park, and Howard Talbot Park provide additional green space.
Schools
- Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School
Grades JK – 8 - Northlea Public School
Grades JK – 8 - Rolph Road Elementary School
Grades JK – 6 - Leaside High School
Grades 9 – 12 - St. Anselm Catholic School
Grades JK – 6 - Junior Academy
Grades JK – 8 (Private) - Crescent School
Grades 3 – 12 (Private)
Transportation
Regular TTC bus service runs south of Eglinton Avenue East, connecting to St. Clair subway station, and bus routes along Bayview Avenue and Eglinton Avenue East connect commuters to Eglinton and Davisville subway stations.
