Over the  years I have probably seen every unit that has come on the market.  It really is a fantastic building and one of my favourites. The Location is amazing, steps to Yonge and Bloor, Ryerson and The University Of Toronto,  Yorkville, Mt. Pleasant. Transit…shopping.  Suites are super spacious, and views either north or south are spectacular. They don’t build them like that anymore….which is a pity, because developers should take a look at the Rosedale Glen. It was built by Cadillac Fairview and completed in 1982.  There are 180  Units in 2 towers (north and south) and 23 storeys in the higher of the 2 towers. Units vary in size from 1250 sq.ft to the larger 3 bedroom units which are closer to 1860 sq.ft.

The unit that I have listed has been completely renovated and the finishes are superior to any new build that I’ve seen. In fact, this is how I have described it on the listing.

“Absolutely Stunning And Beautifully Renovated! Over 1500 Sq.Ft. Of Luxury Living At The Rosedale Glen! Gorgeous Custom Cooks Kitchen With Granite Counters & Breakfast Bar. Incredibly Spacious, Open Concept Living & Dining Room With Smooth Ceilings, Crown Mouldings And Lovely Ravine Views. Master With Walk-in Closet And 4pc Ensuite. In addition To the Generous EnSuite Storage There Is A Massive Storage Locker! This Suite Is Simply Stunning & Is A Must See!”

Not only does this building have lovely, oversized living spaces, but it also boasts a host of amenities as well,  including: Visitor Parking, Indoor Pool, Gym, Party/Meeting Room, Lovely manicured grounds and 24 Hour Concierge.  It’s a real gem of a building! Strangely, its not nearly as well known as it’s neighbour the Bellagio.  The cost per sq. ft. is much less at the Rosedale Glen, and the location is the same…that’s what I call good value.

If you are looking for a large condo, in a fantastic location, you need to keep the Rosedale Glen at 278 Bloor Street East in mind. It’s a winner!

Leslieville

Known for almost a decade as Toronto’s hottest up and coming neighbourhood, Leslieville continues to surprise and delight people looking to settle in this former industrial area located at the south-east end of the city. Bordered by Eastern Avenue and Queen Street East to the South, Broadview Avenue to the west and Gerrard Street to the north, the people living in Leslieville can easily access all parts of the city.

This is a tight-knit community with many of the local business owners living just blocks from stores, cafes, restaurants, bars and galleries that they own. Places like the Leslieville Cheese Market, The Roy (local pub) popular brunch spot Lady Marmalade, and ice-cream “hot-spot” Ed’s Real Scoop are all firmly entrenched in this neighbourhood.

Moving a bit further afield residents just take a short walk up to Gerrard Street where shops, cafes and restaurants abound. Toronto’s “Little India” sits along this eastern stretch of Gerrard Street East providing Torontonians with the very best of Indian cuisine, clothing, art and culture.

There is a good mix of older single and semi-detached family homes sitting on older, well established streets like Alton, Hastings, Leslie and Bertmount. As a compliment to the well-loved neighbourhood feeling in this area new condo developments – The Leslieville Lofts, Edge Lofts, Work Lofts, Printing Factory, Garment Factory and the Flat Iron Lofts- that are being incorporated into many of the area’s older, renovated industrial buildings. Most of this development is located near the intersection of Dundas and Coxwell.

With the ongoing development of the West Don Lands the Leslieville neighbourhood will just continue to gain popularity for home buyers. The 10 acre West Don Lands will include 10 hectares of parks and approximately 6,000 housing units. To service this new neighbourhood enhanced transportation, shopping and entertainment services will continue to spring up in the area.

If your thinking of buying in the city’s east end you’ve got to take a look at Leslieville. As your experienced East Toronto Realtor, I would be pleased to show you the possibilities.

The Pocket – Blake/Jones

Located near one of Toronto’s most popular neighbourhoods – Riverdale- The Pocket is another hidden gem in the city’s east end. Single and semi-detached houses built from the late  1800′s up until the early 20th Century, these older, well kept homes sit on tree-lined streets with names like Prust, Ivy Harriet, Bloomfield and Boultbee. The Pocket runs from the Danforth Avenue in the north down to the CN rail tracks near Boultbee Avenue in the south. Greenwood and Pape Avenue mark the areas eastern and western borders.

House hunters looking for more affordable homes tend to look along Blake Street which features many of the areas semi-detached houses. There are also a selection of townhouses in this area.  Generally speaking, The Pocket is very affordable and appeals to both first time buyers as well as those looking for the perfect family home.

The Pocket is great for younger families as there are three elementary schools in this neighbourhood – Blake Street, Earl Grey, and the Pape Avenue School. Riverdale Collegiate Institute also services the area’s residents as well as Eastern Commerce, a local alternative school.

Residents have easy access to some of the city’s major transportation arteries. The Lakeshore and Gardiner Expressway are a short drive to the south. There are also three TTC subway stations adjacent to The Pocket – Pape, Donlands and Greenwood.

Just south of the Danforth, residents of  The Pocket have a great selection of bars, restaurants, cafes and shops sitting just to the north of their quiet streets. Old Favourites like the retro Square Boy burgers have long been favoured by locals. While newcomers like the Great Burger Kitchen on Gerrard, and Patrice,  The Danforth Dragon and Peach Garden Express offer a wide variety of cultural foods and prices. There is also a good mix of small, locally owned shops as well as some larger, chain stores all within a few kilometers of the Blake/Jones Pocket.

As your experienced East  Toronto Realtor, I look forward to showing you the possibilities of home ownership in this, one of they city’s up and coming “hidden treasures”.

South Riverdale

Long one of the city’s most popular neighbourhoods Riverdale features older single and semi-detached family homes sitting on quiet tree-lined streets. In the southern part of Riverdale sits the small enclave of “South Riverdale”

The community is actually comprised of a number of even smaller neighbourhoods and sits between the Don Vally Parkway to the west, Jones Avenue to the east, Gerrard Street East to the north and the Lakeshore on the south.

Well cared for Victorian and Edwardian homes sit on smaller, well tended lawns on street like Boston, Austin, Badgerwood, Marjory and Galt. These older homes are complimented by the post WWII houses and town homes that sprung up in the latter half of the twentieth century.

Living in South Riverdale definitely has its advantages. Greenwood Park and easy access to Riverdale Park as well as Cherry Beach and the Leslie Street Spit along Lake Ontario provide great recreational options for people of all ages. The TTC streetcars service the area – north and south along Broadview Avenue and east and west along Queen and King Streets.

There is a great mix of small. locally owned shops complimented by some larger, well known stores. Starbucks has even discovered this pocket and are opening a location at the corner of Gerrard and Jones. Cafes, bars and restaurants offer a wide culinary experience at different price points.

So if you are considering buying a house in the city’s east end you have to take a look  in South Riverdale. As an experienced East Toronto Realtor, I look forward to helping you explore everything that South Riverdale has to offer.

I recently sold my listing at 980 Broadview Avenue in East York.  It is a very spacious and bright 1200 sq foot fully renovated condo. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, with parking and a locker.  It was the first unit to come on the market in that building in 2011 and as luck would have it, another 2 bedroom unit which faces North over the Don Valley also came on the market on the 21^st floor listed at $394,500.  There are 2 and 3 bedroom units available. Although none of the views are obstructed (due to the grounds surrounding the building) some of the views are truly spectacular!  Perched high above the Don Valley, it doesn’t matter which way you face. North facing views are of the Valley, South, you will see the City and the Lake, West, stunning views of the Toronto Skyline.

My unit was listed at $419,000 and at $350.00 per sq foot it is incredible value for money. 980 Broadview known as Helliwell Place is a 23 storey tower that was built in 1973.  They recently completed an extensive renovation of the Lobby and public spaces and the condo board did a great job as the building looks fantastic.  Sometimes, older is simply better, and this is absolutely the case for 980 Broadview Ave.  The units are not only spacious and well planned, but also incredibly solid. The Seller’s had mentioned to me that they never heard their neighbours, and after spending some time in the unit, I can tell you that you do not hear a thing.  Unlike newer construction, the interior walls are not dry-wall. They are constructed using cement.  Trust me, you can tell the difference!

Helliwell Place has a Concierge, security system, indoor pool, sauna, and a well equipped gym. The location is fantastic! You can walk to the Broadview Station, or jump on the bus which is steps away from the entrance.  Walk to the shops and restaurants along the Danforth, or for those who want to enjoy nature in the city, there are the Don valley Trails and Todmorden Mills which are just behind the building off of Pottery Road.

The couple that bought the condo were down-sizing. 980 Broadview is a great building for that. If you own a house in East York, Riverdale, Playter or any other East Toronto neighbourhood, Helliwell Place is one of the few condo buildings in the area that have the space and room proportions that make the process of down-sizing less difficult. It’s hard enough moving from a house to a condo, and if you move into a new build, it can be difficult to find a condo that has the space to accommodate ‘real’ furniture. You  won’t have that problem at 980 Broadview.  3 Bedroom units are over 1300 sq ft. and all units have a generous oversized balcony.

980 Broadview really is a great building and if you want to learn more about it, or to be made aware of new listings, simply email me:  info@geoffhartle.com

The Pocket – One of Toronto’s Hidden Treasures

First of all…why is this east-end neighbourhood called the “Pocket”?  The people who live there made the name up about seven or eight years ago.  It’s a hard to get to this little piece of Riverdale tucked in between the Greenwood TTC yard and the CN train tracks.  The area actually resembles a pocket – closed on three sides, open on one. You can only get to it from the west off of Jones Ave. It’s a small, quiet and unique “pocket” sitting smack dab in the middle of one of Toronto’s most popular and busiest neighbourhoods.

The area’s residents love living there. The community’s relatively new personality started to take shape about twenty years ago when younger families and single professionals started buying up the affordable older homes, many of which were built before WWI.  But there are still plenty of older, long term residents living in the “Pocket” because it appears that once you move IN…you’re in no hurry to move OUT.

Ravina Cres., a winding street south of Danforth Ave. off of Jones is the main entry point.  Baird and Condor Avenues plus Earl Gray Road are the main streets but there are also several interesting smaller streets and lanes.  Ben Kerr Lane was named after longtime Pocket resident, busker and perennial mayoral candidate Ben Kerr.

The “Pocket’ is just a few minutes south of the Danforth and residents can walk to their favourite restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and cafes that line one of the city’s most popular Avenues.   Two TTC subway stops are just a short walk away – Pape Station to the east and Donlands to the west.   Area schools include Earl Gray Senior Public and Eastern Commerce Collegiate.  The “Pocket” is literally surrounded by parks all within a short walk from the heart of the neighbourhood.

The homes in the “Pocket’ are older and well maintained.  Small yards with well tended gardens and minimal traffic have engendered a real sense of camaraderie among the residents.  Block parties, street clean up days, community BBQ’s and pot luck get togethers are the order of the day.

As an experienced realtor I know the city’s east end.  I would love to help you to find your perfect home in one of the most popular neighbourhoods in the city – Riverdale, East York, Leaside, The Danforth and Toronto’s true hidden gem, “The Pocket”.

East York – An Old Neighbourhood with an Exciting Future!!  East York is one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. Small lots sit on tree lined streets east of Broadview Avenue and north of one of Toronto’s most well known Avenues – The Danforth. Greenwood Avenue, Chester, Cedarvale, Salmon Avenue, Mortimer, Lumsden, Chisholm, Oak Park and Monarch Park – all have been home to countless generations of East York families. Quaint post-war bungalows sit next to single family, two storey homes that date back to the 1920’s. Wandering through East Your you’re struck by the friendliness of countless old trees line the streets, corner flower markets and dozens of small, family run businesses that sit on East York’s street corners. Today, East York represents great value for people looking to buy a home. In the past ten to fifteen years the demographics have begun to change with the older, “empty nesters” moving out and younger, single people or young families moving in. Homes that were once considered to be a bit on the “tired” side are being renovated, enlarged and restored. East Yorkers love their gardens and it shows with many houses featuring well creative and well tended urban gardens. In spite of recent re-development the neighbourhood has managed to retain its original charm and character. East York is ideally located with each access to the Don Valley Parkway to the north, Danforth Avenue/Bloor Street viaduct and the Lakeshore to the south. Residents also have excellent access to TTC services – on the Danforth/Bloor Subway Line – Chester, Greenwood, Coxwell, Woodbine and Main Stations all sit within East York’s borders. Major bus arteries run east/west along Mortimer and Cosburn and north/south along Woodbine, Coxwell, Greenwood, etc. The neighbourhood is surrounded by parks and ravines with Riverdale Park on the western border – Taylor Creek Park and Ravine running through the northern section and the Beach sitting just to the south. Many of the older homes situated along the parks are ravines are still with reach of many house hunters. The area is also home so a wide array of sports facilities – East York Memorial Arena, Stan Wadlow Park, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, bike paths, walking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds and much more. Prices in old East York range from the low $300,000’s with the more spacious and renovated properties lining the lush ravines going for upwards of $850,000. There is something for everybody in East York. With enhanced interest in development along the subway line running east on the Danforth – condominiums are starting to spring up amongst the more traditional, single family dwellings. Canada’s only “borough” until the 1998 amalgamation (a move that many East Yorkers are STILL not happy about) this eclectic neighbourhood has retained a real sense of community. Neighbours still take the time to get to know one another; there is a regular farmers’ market at the old East York City Hall; East York’s Canada celebrations take on a real “small town” feel. First time home buyers or families looking for a character home to renovate – let me show you the possibilities that are waiting for you on East York’s tree lined streets

Moving East Along The Danforth – Greenwood, Coxwell and Woodbine

The Danforth has long been one of Toronto’s most exciting neighbourhoods.  Starting at Broadview and running east the area is an eclectic compilation of locally owned shops, restaurant, bars and cafes.  On the western end of the Danforth sit many older favourites like Allen’s, Mihali’s and the Red Violin. This well–established neighbourhood has, up until now, featured older single and semi-detached homes situated on old and familiar tree lined side streets running north and south from the Danforth – Pape, Carlaw, Jones, Chester, and Logan to name a few.

In the past few years people have started to look further east along the Danforth with many new shops, restaurants and services springing up closer to Greenwood, Coxwell and Woodbine Avenues.  Places like Relish, Ethiopian Village, Lee’s Thai Springrolls and Duckworths Fish & Chips are all located on the Danforth east of Coxwell closer to Woodbine or Main.  Torontonians looking for the perfect weekend breakfast head to two perennial Coxwell & Danforth favourites – The Terminal Restaurant and Sunrise (both located right next to the Coxwell Subway stop) or the more upscale Three’s Company (closer to Greenwood). 

With the rejuvenation of the eastern end of the Danforth comes new residential development.  The City of Toronto is keen to increase residential density along the existing subway lines and the Danforth – east of Greenwood – has huge potential in this regard.  The good news is that there is also a push to maintain the familiar and friendly personality of the street fronts along the Danforth limiting the size of any new developments. 

One of more highly anticipated developments is the 141 unit, 12 story Carmelina Condominium project situated at the south west corner of Danforth and Woodbine.  Residents of this new “boutique condominium” will be able walk to Woodbine Subway in about two minutes.  The beach is just five minutes by car or they can hop on the bus at Woodbine station and be there in 10 minutes.  The area is well serviced with grocery stores, pharmacies and banks and as more and more restaurants, bars and cafes open up along this eastern section of the street it’s a safe bet that this quieter eastern stretch of the Danforth will be transformed into one of the city’s most dynamic and exciting areas to live and to play.

Whether you’re looking for a single family, semi-detached house or your preference is a condominium, I’m looking forward to helping you to find the perfect home in any one of Toronto’s dynamic and popular east end neighbourhoods.

Once home to a much of the city’s Irish immigrant population, Corktown derives its name from the fact that a large majority of these new Torontonians found work in the area’s many breweries, distilleries or the local factories that supplied these companies with their bottle cork stoppers. 

Corktown sits in Toronto’s east end, and is bordered by Queen Street East to the north, Berkley Street to the west with the Don River making its eastern border.  It is just north of Front Street and the Gardiner Expressway giving residents quick access to the highway (on the south) and the TTC Queen Car (on the north).   Just south east of Corktown sits the West Donlands which is currently under development.  Upon completion of this ambitious urban renewal project Corktown will be just a walk away from one of Toronto’s most diverse and exciting new waterfront neighbourhoods.

Corktown has an ambiance and personality all its own. Rows of century old “cottage” homes and 19^th century British style “row-housing” sit on neat, tree lined side streets – Bright Street, Wilkins Avenue, Trinity Street, Ashby Place and Gilead Place to name a few.  New, smaller condominium developments that compliment the look and feel of the neighbourhood are springing up in the area. These include the Queen City Vinegar Lofts and The Corktown Lofts (on King Street East at Eastern Ave.).  The area sits very close to The St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District and is serviced by the TTC along both King and Queen Streets as well as those newer establishments located in the Distillery District.

The local residents are loyal to the many locally owned shops, restaurants, bakeries, wine bars and cafes that line Queen and King Streets as well as those newer establishments loated in the Distillery District

The Inglebrook Community School and St. Paul’s Catholic School are two of the elementary schools in the area and Jarivs Collegiate Institute is easily accessed via TTC.

If your looking for your perfect piece of Corktown Real Estate, I can help!