The Danforth is an iconic street in the history and structure of Toronto. Greektown and Danforth Village are the chief neighbourhoods along this street. Today we want to explore them, taking a look at both the history and the highlights of the Danforth.
In simplest terms, Danforth Ave continues the Eastern path of Bloor St, largely covering from the Don Valley through Eastern Toronto into the upper beaches and Scarborough, and ending at Kingston Rd. However, the Danforth’s history and people are more than a length of road.
The History Of Danforth Avenue
Danforth was named after Asa Danforth Jr, an American contractor who designed much of Queen St and Kingston Rd. In the 19th century, the area began its population as the Coleman postal village at the intersection of Danforth and Dawes. It became home to the East Toronto Train station. By the 1900s, the area became known as “Little York.”
Eastern Toronto was generally slower to build up population compared to its Western counterpart. When the Bloor Viaduct opened in 1918, it quite literally bridged the gap and allowed the area to begin to flourish. A robust streetcar line was built along the bridge and down the road, allowing a suburb to sprout up around the Danforth. Most of the housing in the area dates from this period between 1910 and 1930.
The streetcar line eventually shuttered its doors in 1966 when the Line 2 Bloor-Danforth subway line we all know today took its place. Apartment towers began to sprout up in the 1960s and 70s, but most of the area has remained low-rise.
Fleeing political and economic unrest, WW1 saw major settlement of Greek immigrants in the area. By the 70s and 80s, the middle/western area of the Danforth was regarded as the largest Greektown in North America.
Gentrification has begun its slow but inevitable creep on the area, but many business owners are actually looking forward to the building of a handful of condo builds to help raise and concentrate the population in the area. The future of Danforth Village and Greektown look incredibly bright.
Danforth Attractions
Danforth Ave is a fantastically diverse and colourful stretch and it’d be impossible for us to cover even a fraction of the amazing businesses and features there. We’re going to take this space to show off a couple of the most notable ones, but if you don’t see your favourite type of shopping, dining, or entertainment experience here, rest assured that a quick google search will no doubt find you what you’re looking for on the Danforth!
We’d be remiss to start with anything other than the area’s featured festival: Taste of the Danforth. This event took to the streets in 1994 with an attendance of 5000, but has now grown to over a million people showing up over the span of 2.5 days in more recent years. Taste of the Danforth features programming for both children and adults, with sports events, free performances, and a multi-cultural dance stage, but its main attraction is, of course, the food. Local restaurant stalls line the road with well-priced samples for you to peruse. While Greek dishes are generally the main course, a massive variety of dishes from cuisine all across the globe is available.
With a storied history dating back to its opening as a movie theatre in 1919, this now-music venue is a staple of the Toronto music scene. It was renamed and remodelled around 2011 as The Danforth Music Hall and features concerts that pull both local and international artists. On any given weekend night you’re sure to spot lineups outside of the hall to get into the next show!
Withrow Park
This sizable park stretches alongside Logan Avenue, bordering just below Danforth Avenue. It features walking paths, a pair of baseball diamonds, a dog off-leash area, playground, picnic sites, and a wading pool. It’s a wonderful place to spend some time enjoying the sun and shade, and from June to October there is also a Saturday morning farmer’s market featuring the usual locally farmed fare alongside artisanal food and baking.
Chester Hill Lookout
Just north of Danforth along Broadview Avenue you’ll find a whole new way to view the Toronto skyline. Chester Hill Lookout has all the vibes of a small town hilltop car park with all the views of a big city landscape. Relatively unknown to anyone living outside of the Danforth, this intimate little spot is a quintessential Toronto gem.
Real Estate on The Danforth
While the subway line running under the corridor is an undoubted win for commuters, it has had the unintended effect of lowering foot traffic in the area. This means less pedestrians stopping by stores to keep them afloat. New developments are beginning construction in the area as Toronto’s population density grows, and the city has noted the need to work on making the Danforth cyclist and pedestrian friendly.
Townhouses are tough to snap up in this area, with its 1910-1930s architecture being a frequent target of loving interior renovations. If you can grab a home here, enjoy your proximity to the subway, amazing eats, and historical architecture.
The housing stock is a mix of two story brick detached and semi-detached dwellings constructed mostly between 1910 and the 1940s. It served as a major residential centre for the working class, coinciding with its rise in popularity with immigrants arriving between the two World Wars, and is considered one Toronto’s earliest suburban developments.
From Broadview to Kingston, Danforth Avenue is an amazing stretch of road that’s been elevated to a community that ties the entire city of Toronto together. If you’re looking to move into the area, trust local experts Envision Realty, located just south of the Danforth in Leslieville for help with your search. Our Broker of Record, Salar Taba, specializes in Danforth real estate. From preconstruction condos to beautiful townhouses, we cover it all. Feel free to contact us here for assistance!
Looking for the best of The Danforth?
Parks
Schools
Please click here for a comprehensive list of schools in The Danforth.
Restaurants
Herby: Grilled meats, dips & other Persian food served in a casual eatery adorned with shelves of trinkets.
Allen’s: Irish-inspired saloon with a backyard patio and upscale pub fare, plus lengthy scotch & beer lists.
Pantheon: Greek fare choice with hand-painted frescoes and an airy vibe, plus fish & wine imported from Greece.
Cafés
.Red Rocket Café: Snug, below-grade café offering espresso-based drinks, teas & baked goods, plus free Wi-Fi and a patio.
Mocha Mocha: Relaxed café serving brunch & a varied menu of global fare, from African stew to burritos to pasta.
Dough Bakeshop: Snug bake shop crafting scratch-made breads, pies & cookies, plus pizza, soups & sandwiches.