Bloor West Village

In the 1850s, the area now known as Bloor West Village was the property of Lieutenant Colonel William Smith Durie, the first commanding officer of the Queens Own Rifles. The street that ran through his estate is now known as Durie Street. The present day neighbourhood began to be developed in 1909, when this district became part of the City of Toronto. Soon after amalgamation with Toronto, Bloor West's roads were paved and city services were made available.

Bloor West's first residents were immigrants of Eastern European background. These are the residents who helped found the Bloor West Village Business Improvement Area, the first of its kind in Canada. This shopping district has helped make Bloor West Village one of Toronto's most popular neighbourhoods.

This is also a popular neighbourhood for families since it is home to many excellent schools and is within walking distance of High Park - Toronto's biggest and best-known park. Covering 399 acres, this Toronto landmark contains picnic areas, flower gardens, animal paddocks, a restaurant, an outdoor amphitheatre, sports facilities, a trackless train, an adventure playground, and a large pond.

Other local attractions include the Annette Recreation Centre, which is attached to the Annette Street Public School. This centre has an indoor pool, a small gymnasium, and a baseball diamond. A little bit east of the Annette Centre is the Annette Street Public Library, which offers programs for adults, children, and preschoolers.

Bloor West Village is also home to The Humber, a movie theatre that is conveniently located on Bloor Street, just west of Jane Street.

Homes in the area are all fairly similar in size and style, having been built in a relatively short period of time between 1912 and 1923. Most houses feature deep front porches that are well shaded by the majestic oak and maple trees that line the streets of this neighbourhood.

Although known for it's great selection of stores, the Bloor West Village shopping district is as much about eating as it is about shopping.

It's a virtual smorgasbord of bakeries, delicatessens, specialty food shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Convenience stores, fruit and vegetable markets, dry cleaners, video stores, and other shops catering to everyday household needs, can also be found on Jane and Annette streets.

The Jane and Runnymede subway stations are part of the Bloor-Danforth subway line and are both within walking distance of the homes in Bloor West Village. The Annette Street bus connects passengers to the Dupont Subway Station on the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line and there are additional bus routes on Jane Street and Runnymede Road.

Commuters are only about ten minutes from the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard- providing quick access into and out of the city.