Real Estate Guide › Central

Cabbagetown - South St. Jamestown

Average 2007 sale price:: $970,000
Property crime:: high
Crime against people:: high
Neighbourhood map:: See map

At one time Cabbagetown was a dilapidated slum that housed Irish immigrants who arrived in the 1840s. Still, it’s hard to imagine that these covetable Victorians were ever rundown, or that the leafy English gardens decorating their front yards were once rows of vegetables. Especially since a “cottage” on Amelia Street can run $400,000, and most of the detached homes in the eastern part of the neighbourhood go for about $700,000, with plenty in the $1-million zone. The main Parliament Street strip is shared with the lower-income neighbourhoods of St. Jamestown and Regent Park, so there aren’t as many cheese shops or accessory boutiques as the denizens of Cabbagetown might prefer. But that’s more than balanced out by the many amenities: Riverdale Park, Yorkville within walking distance, TTC access, and the DVP just minutes away.

HOUSING STOCK: A treasure trove of late-Victorian architecture, Cabbagetown offers semis and fully attached homes in every 19th-century flavour: Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Second Empire and that Toronto favourite, the bay and gable. Most homes are relatively small (2,000 to 2,400 square feet), but usually fully and lovingly renovated. A two-storey averages $600,000; a well-renovated three-storey is $700,000 to $900,000.

BARGAIN ZONES: The west half of the neighbourhood is about 10 per cent cheaper than Don Vale to the east of Parliament.

THE VERDICT: Fabulous architecture, a historic pedigree and a quiet, almost sylvan location that’s ridiculously close to downtown—what’s not to like? Midtowners appalled by Summerhill’s prices are already moving south, and the area’s popularity seems certain to rise if the nearby Regent Park revitalization is successful in its efforts to include market-value rentals and condos.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
The Cobourg Simplicity is the keyword here: three beers on tap and a handful in bottles, as well as a minimal menu (cheese plates, pâté, edamame). 533 Parliament St., 416-913-7538.
House on Parliament This unpretentious basement pub draws an eclectic mix of locals with lots of draft and decent comfort food (the pulled pork is a favourite). 456 Parliament St., 416-925-4074.
Jet Fuel Coffee The anti-Starbucks lures corporate combatants with strong coffee and bike courier cachet. 519 Parliament St., 416-968-9982.

Nearby Restaurants

Rashnaa

Tamil music and Indian art lend a soothing calm to this south Indian and Sri ... (0.16 km away)

Provence Delices

(0.17 km away)

Cranberries Bar and Grill

This dimly lit wood-panelled bar has a distinctly suburban vibe. A Labatt Ice model strikes ... (0.18 km away)

Tender Trap

Upon entering this oddly named restaurant, customers suspect that perhaps something’s been lost in translation. ... (0.21 km away)

Timothy’s Tikka House

Customers clean their plates at this Cabbagetown curry joint decorated with rosy walls and Indian ... (0.23 km away)

Big Mamma’s Boy

This funky bi-level resto dishes out southern cuisine with a healthy twist, using gluten-free, organic ... (0.24 km away)

Stonegrill

Red walls, vivid art and hardwood floors impart a modern sophistication to this gleaming resto. ... (0.31 km away)

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Commuting

King and Bay:: 2.4 km
401 and 400:: 13.3 km
Gardiner and 427:: 15.8 km
Subways:: Castle Frank Station 0.5 km; Sherbourne Station 0.9 km; Broadview Station 1.1 km