Front lawn landscaping is de rigueur in<br />this
affluent suburb in the city

Front lawn landscaping is de rigueur in
this affluent suburb in the city

Real Estate Guide › Central

Lawrence Park South

Average 2007 sale price:: $1,901,500
Property crime:: average
Crime against people:: very low

The area retains some of its original character from the 1880s, when it was first developed by the Metropolitan Street Railway as the northern end of its five-cent Bloor rail line. Some houses date from 1903, but most were built after 1912, when the area was annexed to the city. The narrow but deep lots and sensible Edwardian architecture are reminiscent of Unionville. Though it’s close to many things bright and beautiful—the Rosedale Golf Club, the Granite Club, Toronto French School—the facilities within its own boundaries are more modest. Allenby Primary School, the first in Toronto to offer French immersion, has been here since 1931 and is a selling point for many parents. Lawrence Park and Blythwood Ravine are small but well kept, with a wide variety of native trees, including black cherry, mulberry, crack willow and silver maple, some of which are the result of a 1996 naturalization effort. Burke Brook and McDougall Stream run under much of the neighbourhood, making for unpredictable topography, such as the dip in the courtyard of the 3080 Yonge Street shopping plaza at the corner of Lawrence.

HOUSING STOCK: Brick and stone cladding is the order of the day, with renos and tear-downs taking their cues from the older houses interspersed among them. Front lawn landscaping and addresses spelled out on porticos are the norm.

BARGAIN ZONES: The best deals can be found in the former neighbourhood of Allenby, around Avenue and Eglinton, on streets such as Castlefield and Burnaby. Prices increase considerably as you get a little further north and east.

THE VERDICT: It’s the perfect neighbourhood for people (increasingly young families, according to the latest census) who like the quietude and big-lawned openness of suburban life, with all the amenities and excitement of the big city within a five-minute drive.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Alex on Yonge This outpost of one of the best cheese mini-chains on the planet offers more than 400 cheeses and the help of knowledgeable fromagistas. 2594 Yonge St., 416-488-8000.
The Butcher’s This is where locals get their organic sausages, game hens and other high-quality cuts. 2636 Yonge St., 416-483-5777.
Civello Uptown The sleeker instalment of the classic Toronto spa and salon provides all the buffing, polishing and pampering you’ll ever need. 2620 Yonge St., 416-487-3535.

Nearby Restaurants

Sorn Thai

With little in the way of ambience, it’s obvious diners flock to this neighbourhood staple ... (0.72 km away)

Classico Louie’s Pizzeria

Pizza emerges piping hot and crisp from the ovens. On offer: one of 18 pre-designed ... (0.73 km away)

Blue Zen

Style and elegance pervade the decor and menu of this Japanese fusion restaurant. Creative and ... (0.73 km away)

North 44°

Nearly two decades on, Mark McEwan’s uptown flagship still radiates cool, uncomplicated comfort, a beacon ... (0.73 km away)

Alize

Fresh food is a way of life for this husband-and-wife-owned eatery, located in upscale Midtown. ... (0.76 km away)

Chakra

Johnson Yohannan is a consummate traveller and daring entrepreneur—he was part of the team that ... (0.76 km away)

Acrobat

This part-time banquet hall moonlights as an upscale steak and seafood house. Rich colours and ... (0.76 km away)

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Commuting

King and Bay:: 7.5 km
401 and 400:: 8.8 km
Gardiner and 427:: 15.8 km
Subways:: Eglinton Station 1.1 km; Lawrence Station 1.5 km; Davisville Station 1.9 km