Yorkville is a district in Toronto; it is well known for its shopping. Yorkville was a former village annexed by the City of Toronto.
It is roughly bounded by Bloor Street to the south, Davenport Road to the north, Yonge Street to the east and Avenue to the west.
Yorkville is considered to be part of “The Annex” neighbourhood officially and is recognized as one of Canada’s most elusive shopping streets.
Interestingly enough, Yorkville is the 3rd most expensive retail space in North America, having rents of $300 per square foot.
Yorkville was founded in 1830 by entrepreneur Joseph Bloor and William Botsford Jarvis with the Village of Yorkville beginning as a residential suburb.
Its Victorian style homes, quiet residential street and picturesque gardens surviving into the 20th century all became annexed by the City of Toronto.
In the 1960s, Yorkville was flourishing as Toronto’s bohemian cultural centre.
The transition into a high end shopping district came after the construction of the Bloor-Danforth subway as the value of land increased as higher densities were allowed by the City’s official plan. Along Bloor Street, office towns, the Bay department store and Holt Renfrew department store displaced the local retail. Real estate values began to increase in the 1980s and the 1990s, causing residential homes north of Bloor along Yorkville to be converted into high end retail.
This included the creation of many art galleries, fashion boutiques, antique stores, bars, cafes and restaurants along Cumberland Street and Yorkville Avenue.
The Yorkville area is one of the busiest areas in Toronto, mainly because the busiest TTC subway station in Toronto is located at Yonge and Bloor. It is the intersection of the two largest and busiest subway lines.
Today you can find many of Toronto’s exclusive retail stores located in Yorkville; this includes such stores as Prada, Gucci, Huge Boss, Louis Vuitton, Harry Rosen, Hold Renfrew and much more.
Within Yorkville is Yorkville Park – a series of unique gardens located on the south side of Cumberland stretching west from Bellair. Designed by Oleson Worland Architects to celebrate the surrounding neighbourhoods and reflect the diversity of Canadian landscape.
Yorkville has become home to some of Toronto’s most exciting events, such as the Toronto International Film Festival and the Sante International Wine Festival.
Yorkville is truly one of the best districts in Toronto, it is a place that holds much if Toronto’s life. If you ever find yourself down in Yorkville, you will surely not be disappointed with the scenery and any of the stores available to you.
Julian Merry is a Broker with Royal LePage/Johnston & Daniel Division. Julian is a regular contributor to the Muddy York Toronto Real Estate Blog. Julian’s website is located at www.julianmerry.com.
