Massive renos are all over Forest Hill South,<br />
which exudes both traditional respectability<br />and a rabid desire to keep up

Massive renos are all over Forest Hill South,
which exudes both traditional respectability
and a rabid desire to keep up

Real Estate Guide › Central

Forest Hill South

Average 2007 sale price:: $4,320,000
Property crime:: average
Crime against people:: very low

Grounded at its southern end by those two bastions of affluence, Upper Canada College and Forest Hill Village, the area bounded by Avenue, Bathurst, St. Clair and Eglinton has some swagger. Completely developed by the 1930s, the area exudes both traditional respectability and a rabid desire to keep up. Front lawn Dumpsters are common, due to the prevalence of massive renovations. Homes are big, as in Brian Gluckstein’s six-bedroom, six-bath 1913 design showcase, and the seven-bedroom “Forest Hill Landmark” that recently listed for $5.7 million. They also come in every style, from French Colonial with terra cotta tiles to English country manors with Tudor boarding and sweeping lawns. Utilitarian brick is usually well hidden behind stucco or stone, and the houses come loaded with such luxurious details as sculpture gardens, porte cochères and imposing gated entrances.

HOUSING STOCK: Forest Hill was traditionally dominated by Tudors and Georgians—which is still the trend today—but French Provincials and the occasional ultra-modern design now dot the neighbourhood as well.

BARGAIN ZONES: Roughly $1.5 million will get you a 40-foot lot in lower Forest Hill Village, on the western side of Spadina. Of course, you’ll want to save money to tear down that house and replace it with a bigger stone Tudor.

THE VERDICT: Forest Hill’s proximity to downtown makes it a relatively safe investment area and, as evidenced by the number of extensive renovation projects on the go, demand for property remains strong. Forest Hill Village, with its 30-plus demographic, is embracing a more casual feel, rather than the pretentiousness of years past.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Hope Street Café Arrive early on weekends for the impressive brunch spread, which includes eggs Benny with avocado and citrus hollandaise sauce. 324–326 Lonsdale Rd., 416-481-4834.
Type Books The second outpost of the Queen West original has all the same indie bookstore magic you’d expect. 394 Spadina Rd., 416-487-8973.
Village Chill This shop is one of the few that serves Toronto’s own Greg’s ice cream. Treat yourself to such unique creations as yummy roasted marshmallow. 325B Lonsdale Rd., 416-481-2117.

Nearby Restaurants

Hope Street Café

This cozy neighbourhood grill is famous for baby back ribs with hickory barbecue sauce, but ... (0.46 km away)

Edo-ko

The Forest Hill Village version of the high-end Toronto sushi chain features a tranquil chocolate ... (0.46 km away)

Edo

This venerable midtown restaurant knows its clientele and aims to please by offering reliably fresh, ... (0.46 km away)

Sotto in the Village

When they can’t score a table at the downtown location, devotees head to Sotto’s sister ... (0.47 km away)

Village Restaurant

The more Forest Hill Village changes, the more this family-run diner stays the same. With ... (0.49 km away)

Sushi Lovers

A few low stools indoors and plastic chairs on the patio provide minimal decor. Fancy ... (0.49 km away)

David’s By Day/Buzz By Night

Morning and noontime see the dining room packed and the sunny patio hopping with locals, ... (0.51 km away)

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Commuting

King and Bay:: 5.5 km
401 and 400:: 9.1 km
Gardiner and 427:: 14.2 km
Subways:: St. Clair West Station 1.2 km; Davisville Station 1.2 km; St. Clair Station 1.5 km