Toronto Annex

The Origins and Development of The Annex

The Annex neighbourhood was one of the first areas to join the City of Toronto. In the 1870’s, the neighbourhood was subdivided and it didn’t take long for The Annex to become one of Toronto’s elite neighbourhoods.

Beautiful View of the Annex

The Annex’s golden era was from the late 1800’s until the 1920’s. This is when the neighbourhood’s original residence (whom were also the wealthiest residence) moved away. Those who stayed behind, helped form the Annex Residence Association, which saved The Annex from being split in half by the proposed Spadina Expressway.

Today, The Annex is one of Toronto’s oldest neighbourhoods, and remains as one of Toronto’s premier neighbourhoods. Its residents consist of: artists, writers, politicians, community leaders, successful business people, academics, media personalities, and University of Toronto students as well as faculty.

Homes in The Annex neighbourhood were built between 1880, and 1910. They’re beautiful architectures of Victorian, Queen Anne, and Richardsonian Romanesque in style. The homes in The Annex feature:

• Plum and pink colored Credit River sandstone.

• Rich red brick, and terra cotta clay tiles on the exterior facades .

• The architectural details are among the finest in Toronto.

• Certain homes feature: pyramidal roofs, turrets, recessed grand archways, and wooden spindled porches.

Many of the homes have been converted back to single family, which displays the return to moderation, from the historic Toronto neighbourhood The Annex is known as.

A House in the Annex

The Annex neighbourhood has plenty to offer it’s residence and local visitors. Whether you want to enjoy a day on the neighbourhood, or get some shopping done. There’s plenty the area has to offer, and keep you busy, including:

• Education opportunities – there’s plenty of schools to choose from, you can find public and catholic elementary schools, secondary school, as well as college. The Annex offers education opportunities for children, teens, and adults.

• The shopping district – the main shopping district is located on Bloor Street. The mix of shops to choose from, include: clothing boutiques, major league bookstores, food markets, home furnishings & decor, restaurants, outdoor cafes, health stores, ethnic restaurants, and plenty of delightful shops/boutiques where everything to the latest fashions are available.

• Local parks – enjoying a day outside is easy when you’re living in The Annex. There’s five parks in the area that you can easily walk to. These parks include: Cedarvale, Christie Pitts, Trinity Bellwoods, Winston Churchill, and David A. Balfour Park. Relax and have a picnic with the family, or enjoy some outdoor recreation, it’s up to you!

• Large chain stores – to the north of The Annex, you’ll find large chain stores, and professional services, such as: LCBO, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Landmark Creeds, and some one of a kind specialty stores.

• Fitness enthusiasts – there’s plenty of recreation centres in the area. Staying in shape is easy, with so many programs and services offered to the local residence.

• Enjoy a night out – the neighbourhood comes alive at night when people from all over the city converge upon its restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

• Public transit – the neighbourhood is well served by public transit. You can find two subway stations in The Annex, and from here you’re about 5 minutes away from Toronto’s entertainment and business districts.

The Annex Local Museum

Other Central Toronto Neighbourhoods: The Annex –Cabbagetown –Rosedale –Moore Park –North Toronto –Lawrence Park –Hoggs Hollow –Leaside –Summerhill – Regal Heights –Forest Hill –Chaplin Estates –Davisville Village –King West Village –Dovercourt Village