With its unique blend of past and present, diverse community and abundance of amazing shops and restaurants, The Annex is a truly Toronto neighbourhood. The area’s distinct architecture, gastronomy, nightlife and amenities have made it one of the city’s most in-demand neighbourhoods for nearly a century and a half. This prestige has led many prominent Torontonians to call The Annex home over the years, and you could be next. 

Here’s everything you need to know about life in The Annex. 

Location

The Annex sits just outside of downtown, directly northwest of the University of Toronto. Neighbouring communities include Harbord Village, Koreatown and Yorkville. On the map, The Annex’s western boundary begins at Bathurst Street and stretches east to Avenue Road. The neighbourhood is bordered by Bloor Street to the south and Dupont Street to the north. 

---

Moving soon? Explore these resources about Luxury Real Estate on our blog. 

• How to Prepare Your High-End Condo for Sale
• When is the Best Time to Sell Your Luxury Home?
• The State of Luxury Real Estate in Toronto

---

Housing

As one of Toronto’s first residential subdivisions, The Annex is home to an abundance of gorgeous heritage properties, many built during or around the 1880s. With this distinguished history, the area has built a reputation for blending architectural beauty with lush, tree-lined streets. Most of the neighbourhood’s older homes are large Victorian or Edwardian-style houses. In addition to detached homes, a variety of high-rise apartment buildings can be in The Annex. 

Despite the neighbourhood being well known for its historic homes, the area does feature some exciting modern developments and re-build properties as well. The newest addition to The Annex skyline will be Mirvish Village, an exciting multi-purpose development currently under construction where Toronto icon and local landmark Honest Ed’s once stood.  

Ready to buy a home? Learn how you can strategically succeed when buying in a seller’s market on our blog. 

The Neighbours

Like many Toronto neighbourhoods, The Annex is home to a diverse variety of residents. With the area’s historic past, a number of homeowners in The Annex have called the neighbourhood home for generations. In addition to longtime residents, The Annex attracts many first-time buyers and young families, particularly those in an upper income bracket. As the University of Toronto sits just to the east of the neighbourhood, The Annex also sees a high number of students renting in the area throughout the year. 

The area’s long-time reputation as a top neighbourhood in the city has led to a number of famous residents past and present. From prominent businessmen to former prime ministers and a-list celebrities, The Annex’s vibrant atmosphere and large, beautiful homes continue to attract high-end buyers. 

---

Looking to maximize your new home? Explore these blog posts. 

• Renovations for Active Retirees
• High-Tech Items You Need For Your Home
• Building an Outdoor Oasis With ROI in Mind

---

Gastronomy, Nightlife & Amenities

The Annex is far more than just a residential neighbourhood. Along Bloor Street, you will find some of the best cafes, restaurants and food halls in the entire city. From Hungarian cuisine to Korean BBQ, fine dining and everything in between, The Annex’s food scene can compete with any culinary hotspot in the Greater Toronto Area. 

Beyond dining, the area also hosts an impressive array of venues, theatres and nightclubs. Hot Docs Cinema, Lee’s Palace and Dance Cave are just some of the neighbourhood’s nightlife highlights. With countless other great bars and restaurants found right in The Annex, you will never have to go far for a great night out again. 

The area is also home to a variety of other amenities. Most notably, the renowned Royal Ontario Museum is located in The Annex’s southeastern corner. 

Looking for more restaurant recommendations? Check out our Top Toronto Restaurants for Date Night here. 

Getting Around

As The Annex is nestled close to the city centre, access to major roadways can come with delays depending on local traffic. Frequent travellers can expect about a 35 minute drive to Pearson Airport and a 15 minute trip to Union Station. 

The area is also one of the best served in the city when it comes to public transit. If driving in the city is not for you, The Annex’s transit options can offer you unmatched flexibility for getting around. With three subway stations and two prominent streetcar routes within neighbourhood limits, residents can get to work, school or anywhere else with ease. 

Investing in The Annex

While The Annex is a great place to call home, it is also a great place to invest. As one of the city’s most popular neighbourhoods, property values in the area are likely to grow substantially over time. Plus, as a high-demand area for university students, owning a rental property here can mean some seriously impressive passive income. 

Have questions about buying in Toronto? Contact us.