From the borders of Riverdale, up to Danforth and The Beaches, Leslieville is a quickly growing neighbourhood with a ton of history and even more charm. What started as a largely industrial hub has grown into a trendy home for young families with a love of fitness, film, fine dining, and friendliness. Check out our Leslieville neighbourhood guide and fall in love with this community!
The History of Leslieville
Toronto’s named neighbourhoods are often call backs to the small villages and communities that grew up during settler times. Learning the history of an area is a fun exercise in getting to know it, so we’ll start there. Leslieville was a small village in the 1850s, which grew up around the Toronto Nurseries. This resulted in many of its original inhabitants being gardeners. As time passed, a number of other industries were flourishing in Leslieville as well, such as brick-making, metal processing, and tanning.
Eventually, Leslieville moved away from industrial work, and the original factory workers moved as well. When the dust settled from the pollution of industry, a more middle-class population with a focus on creativity moved to the area.
A variety of new restaurants began to dot the streets and condos eventually rose from a few of the older buildings. Despite its new, up and coming neighbourhood feel, Leslieville is still populated by mostly middle and working-class people.
Today, Leslieville is a hub for Canada’s film industry, and it’s not uncommon to see film crews clustered along the side of a street on any given day. There are several notable condo developments being built which will boost the population, and new dining experiences appear regularly down Queen Street.
Leslieville borders East Chinatown, a small area down the edge of Broadview and Gerrard sporting traditional Asian supermarkets mixed with newer storefronts. At its west end, you’ll find Little India, Gerrard’s home for all markets, foods and textiles from South Asia. Nestled between, Leslieville proper is a home for a whole host of hip bars and trendy eateries. For the more day-to-day necessities, visit Gerrard Square Mall, and if you need groceries on the cheap there’s always the No Frills at Carlaw. Due to the diverse nature of the area’s population, you’ll find all sorts of ethnic treats carried even at this chain grocery store.
Gentrification has been a concern for long-time Leslievillians. Gentrification in Leslieville has brought posh diners, modern fitness centres, and sleek condos but has replaced some of the area’s older and more storied businesses. It’s a very similar story in many other Toronto neighbourhood as Canada’s largest city experiences growing pains around the edges. The debate for and against gentrification is a long and complex one which we explore in this blog.
Nearby Areas
Leslieville is located in an incredibly advantageous position to make a great home for all sorts. It’s only a short trip via streetcar or personal car to downtown, making a commute to those working there a breeze. It’s also incredibly easy to access the Don Valley Parkway, Lakeshore Boulevard and the Gardener Expressway in minutes.
Going east from Leslieville, we have The Beaches, which provide a great place to relax close to home. We’ve got a blog on this lovely area and its history if you’d like to check out our favourite neighbouring neighbourhood!
The Danforth is north of Leslieville, with a flourishing lineup of businesses and restaurants. Nearby Greektown serves up amazing meals and atmosphere.
If you’re looking to cross the Don Valley River, Regent Park is close by with its newly revitalized look that we’ve covered in the past.
Leslieville Real Estate
Homes in Leslieville come in all shapes and sizes, from new condo developments, to revamped industrial building lofts, to townhomes on shady, secluded streets. As the area’s infrastructure and housing supply is shored up, more and more people flock to Eastern Toronto, increasing prices and demand in the area.
Leslieville’s townhomes are largely historic affairs with classic brick and pointed roofs. While much of Toronto’s neighbourhoods are starting to replace older homes with complete rebuilds in modern right angles, Leslieville’s quieter streets see few tear-downs. Most of these historic homes have been renovated or restored instead, preserving the classic feel of the neighbourhood.
Condo construction on the more populated streets of Leslieville has largely featured the modernization of old industrial buildings to living and office spaces. Completely new builds, such as Elevate at Logan, Lofthouse, Wonder Condos, and Poet Condos, have added to the housing supply. These developments all have a relatively low floor count however, as the area looks to maintain its more humble skyline.
Eastern Toronto tends to be just a bit cheaper than the West, but the gap is narrowing quickly. As the famous quote goes, “The best time to buy a home is always five years ago.”
We hope this blog helped introduce those unfamiliar with Leslieville to the finer points of this neighbourhood, and entertained those already living here. What’s your favourite part of the area? Send us a message and we’d love to feature it!
Looking for the best of Leslieville?
Parks
Schools
Please click here for a comprehensive list of schools in Leslieville.
Restaurants
Greta Solomon’s: Classic French fare and wines, with many by the glass, served in a cozy, charming dining room..
Ascari Enoteca: Salads, fresh pasta and Italian wines in a casual, cozy corner spot with a bar & racing-themed decor..
Eastside Social: Nautical-themed room and seafood menu inspired by coastal spots like the Maritimes, Mexico and Peru.
Cafés
Bobbette & Belle: Upscale patisserie for handcrafted cakes, cupcakes and macarons, plus espresso and hot chocolate..
Lazy Daisy’s Café: Warm store and café with locally-sourced food, known for buttermilk biscuits and breakfast sandwiches.
Tango Palace Coffee Shot: Homey establishment offering brewed coffee, espresso drinks and teas, plus light fare and baked goods.