Real Estate Guide › Central

Leaside - Bennington

Average 2007 sale price:: $1,432,500
Property crime:: average
Crime against people:: very low
Neighbourhood map:: See map

The commercial strip of Bayview from Millwood to Manor is reason enough to move here. With a comfortable mix of chains and indies, this upmarket (but not too pricey) bit of high street is the heart of Leaside–Bennington, and all of eastern uptown, for that matter. A relatively new development (Leaside residents numbered just 43 in 1913; in 1929, it was still fewer than 500), the neighbourhood once had its own train station and an airfield (used for wartime pilot training). Munitions factories, the Durant Motor Company, and Canada Wire and Cable all came and went over the years, mostly between the wars, and each built houses for its workers and executives. Leaside High School (Margaret Atwood’s alma mater) is generally considered to be one of the better schools in the city.

HOUSING STOCK: Expect a wide range of sizes and styles, from bungalows to mansions. In the ’30s, wainscotting and leaded windows were the height of fashion, and many houses retain those features.

BARGAIN ZONES: Airdrie and Rumsey roads and parts of Sutherland Drive feature more accessible semis, while Nesbitt Drive (right by the tracks) offers boxy post-war bungalows.

THE VERDICT: This is one of the best full-service neighbourhoods in the city—thanks in large part to the amenities on the Bayview strip and the nearby scenic Don Valley—with enough housing options to suit a wide range of budgets. It’s the sort of place that makes residents wonder why anyone would want to live elsewhere.

NEIGHBOURHOOD HOT SPOTS:
Hollywood Gelato Though lineups might deter the newbie, the natural ingredients that go into this gelato draw aficionados from far and wide. 1640 Bayview Ave., 416-544-9829.
McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon A good-time place complete with casual staff, cheap food and a patio perfectly positioned for enjoying summer days on the strip. 1544 Bayview Ave., 416-932-0655.
Pâtisserie la Cigogne This small but exquisite shop is a francophilic oasis of butter, cream and flakiness. 1626 Bayview, 416-487-1234.
Sleuth of Baker Street It’s all detective fiction, all thrillers, all the time in this quirky niche shop. 1600 Bayview Ave., 416-483-3111.

Nearby Restaurants

The Olde Yorke Fish & Chips

The tiny, family-run pub provides a homey respite from the noisy Laird industrial strip. Traditional ... (0.79 km away)

Mikado Japanese Restaurant

Tranquility and tradition are paramount at one of Toronto’s oldest sushi houses, where chef Keiichi ... (0.84 km away)

Marvellous Edibles Bistro

Seasonal and organic, the menu changes daily at this Euro-bistro offshoot of the St. Clair ... (0.86 km away)

Kama Sutra Restaurant and Wine Bar

Silk and spice—Indian goes upscale with an extensive wine list to complement an exotic menu. ... (1.07 km away)

Kamasutra Restaurant and Wine Bar

The quality of Indian cooking in this city is on the upswing, and Kamasutra is ... (1.07 km away)

Big Man’s Gourmet Pizza

Tucked back into an ugly strip plaza, this tiny gourmet pizza house is easy to ... (1.10 km away)

The Bagel House (Café)

This offshoot of the Leaside bakery serves up such classic combos as chopped liver or ... (1.14 km away)

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Commuting

King and Bay:: 5.8 km
401 and 400:: 12.6 km
Gardiner and 427:: 17.7 km
Subways:: Chester Station 2.6 km; Broadview Station 2.6 km; Pape Station 2.7 km