On The Danforth: Life in the Evolving East-End Neighbourhood

The Danforth, also known as Toronto’s Greektown, is known primarily for its variety of excellent Greek restaurants and annual Greek-inspired festival. However, over the past few years the east-end neighbourhood has transformed into a thriving “enviro-chic, vegan-friendly” community with a number of excellent parks, independent coffee shops, diverse restaurants, and boutique retail. The Danforth Music Hall and excellent park life also functions as a hub for some of the best music and art events in Toronto. Diam Developments has therefore chosen this thriving neighbourhood for its latest development, On the Danforth Condos.

Situated at the intersection of Danforth Avenue and Oak Park Avenue, residents are within walking distance of the Woodbine TTC Station and Main Station, and only a 10 minute walk from the Danforth GO Station. Commuters can easily reach the downtown core by public transportation in all seasons, while car-owners are just a short drive from the Don Valley Parkway.

Eat on the Danforth

The Danforth is more than just a convenient neighbourhood for commuters wishing to live in close proximity to the downtown core. It’s also a thriving and evolving neighbourhood with great dining, shopping, and streetlife. Every August, the Taste of the Danforth festival draws crowds from all over Ontario to sample the city’s finest meat on a skewer and authentic tzatziki sauce. This celebration of Greek food and culture features international and local live music and a host of activities and performances. But, residents don’t have to wait until this annual festival to enjoy great authentic Greek food. Head to Messini’s patio for the city’s best and most messily packed gyros stuffed with fries and drizzled with tzatziki, or stop in at the historical Square Boy, a Danforth fixture since the 1960s. Pan on the Danforth also offers great seafood and kefalotyri cheese, while Mezes is a go-to for authentic phyllo pies.

The Danforth’s restaurant scene is not solely composed of Greek cuisine, and has been diversifying over the past few years. The Globe Bistro features fresh locally sourced food and great views from the rooftop lounge. The coffee and zucchini loaf at Broadview Espresso is a neighbourhood staple, and the Thai cuisine at Mong-Kut Thai is incredible. For those who prefer to eat organic, The Big Carrot is one of the city’s best spots.

Get active on the Danforth

In addition to its solid reputation for excellent food, The Danforth is also home to an excellent arts and entertainment scene. The Art of the Danforth festival features installations, a giant paint fight in the street, and 12 foot bonfire. Local artists also get creative and develop their skills at Art Cave, or gather and sell their one-of-a-kind goods every September at the Danforth East Arts Fair. The Danforth is also home to East End Arts, an organization mandated to promote and strengthen the area’s arts scene. Together, these festivals, initiatives, and venues keep the neighbourhood vibrant and exciting.

During Toronto’s summer months, residents of The Danforth flock to the east-end’s excellent parks and beaches. The award-winning Dentonia Park Golf Course is just a short walk from the Danforth and a great place for both experienced and amateur golfers to work on their game. The Dentonia Athletic Park is also equipped with a baseball diamond, multi-purpose sports field, cricket pitch, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a children’s splash-pad and playground, making it a great spot for families. Residents can also get active and creative at the Main Square Community Centre, which offers a range of programming and is home to a 25-metre pool, two arenas, a kitchen for community activities, and a small weight room.

For families or residents catering to special needs, the Variety Village athletic centre offers facilities specifically designed for disabled adults and youth. Active residents can also start the morning with Yoga, gather in the evening to enjoy a bonfire, or spend a winter day skating on the rink in Stephenson Park. Locals can also be found walking the dog in Stanley G. Grizzle Park or Gledhill Park, and on hot summer days everyone heads south to the sandy waterfront for a game of beach volleyball, some suntanning, or a dip in the water at Woodbine Beach.

Shop on the Danforth

As a highly walkable neighbourhood, you simply have to stroll down Danforth Avenue to find some of the city’s best kept retail secrets. Stop into Negash Design, an exclusive Toronto outlet for leather bags, or shop for trendy clothing at Fiveoseven and Tabula Rasa. Those looking to spruce up the home will enjoy IQ Living’s great kitchenware, or the unique home goods available at Empire by Bullet. The neighborhood is also home to Shoppers World, located in a historical World War II munitions plant and former Ford plant. This old factory now functions as a shopping plaza and is home to a number of retail fixtures and services including L.A. Fitness, Shoppers Drug Mart, Black’s Camera, Nature’s Health Food, and the Wine Rack.

Diam Developments’ condo will fit seamlessly into this urban environment, offering retail components on the ground floor and amenities exclusive to residents, including a pet spa, exercise room, kitchen with private dining room, and outdoor terraces.

With around 136 beautiful suites, On The Danforth provides an opportunity to live in one of Toronto’s most exciting up-and-coming neighbourhoods starting from the mid-$200,000s. Located just a stone’s throw from the downtown core, this location combines the luxuries of urban living with the intimacy and residential charm that life in the east-end offers. For exclusive early buying opportunities at this unique locale be sure to register here.

Feature image: Largest Zorba dance in the world! Via tasteofthedanforth.com