The Junction is a tucked away pocket in the west end of Toronto filled with history going back to the 1800’s. This area covers from Runnymede Road to the C.N. Railway corridor to the east, and north of Annette to south of St. Clair Road.
The Junction neighbourhood is clearly in the upswing with a small-village feel that is both a benefit to the current community and a draw to home buyers and new artsy shops that are opening. It’s close to High Park and The Bloor West Village with its own unique character. The Junction also offers easy access to transit with buses and the Bloor-Danforth subway line or a quick route can take you to the Q.E.W. & Lakeshore Blvd. There are great schools offered within the neighbourhood for young families. Along with being so conveniently close to High Park it boasts another unique green space called the West Toronto Railpath. It opened in 2009, as a multi-use asphalt trail for pedestrians and cycles that runs from the Junction towards Dundas and Lansdowne. It’s a wonderful example of urban rails to trails projects that transforms former rail lines and the future plans include expanding the trail to Liberty Village.
Even the “New York Times” has mentioned The Junction, that many have predicted will become the next “Queen West”. This funky hood is already attracting artists and entrepreneurs with its cheaper rents and converted industrial, warehouse spaces and loft conversions.
The main strip along Dundas Street houses character vintage buildings that today are coming to life with organic eateries and grocers, alternative health options, raw food and multi-cultural restaurants, bars, café’s, art schools and galleries, Pilates and Yoga studios to antique shops. People stroll along the streets stopping off at different eclectic shops ranging from arts and crafts to yummy organic chocolate and to die for ice cream. Two awesome cafe's for a fabulous coffee and desert are Crema and Good Neighbour. Organic and locally grown food are found at Sweet Potatoe for your grocery needs. There are a number of amazing restaurants where you can find both live entertainment and art exhibits. The Junction is also becoming known for its “furniture, design and vintage interior” stores with an artistic and unique edge. The Junction is a wonderful community of friendly people that love and support their hood.
Many of today’s buyers looking at the Junction area are attracted by the reasonable real estate values. For those that have been priced out of the core of downtown Toronto and the already established west end neighbourhoods such as Roncesvalles Village, High Park and even The Bloor West Village, The Junction with its small village feel makes a great option. Many of the homes in this area go back to the 19th to early 20th century with the original features of leaded and stained glass windows and wood accents. Mixed throughout are semis and detached houses with a number of Victorians as well. There’s a blend of both renovated and original properties, appealing to different types of buyers. Recently there have been converted lofts and condos being built adding another appeal.
Part of the community charm attracting hipsters and delighting the residents are the number of neighbourhood attractions.
The Junction Arts Festival is an annual September festival that has sparked interest throughout Toronto and beyond. This five day festival which closes the streets along Dundas Street from Keele to Quebec during the weekend is an Arts Festival first and foremost! Experienced in different forms and within a unique setting, music, dance, visual arts, comedy and literary arts fill the streets, along with lots of choice for the kids. The epicenter for many of the live performances is the “Junction City Square” at (Dundas & Pacific) which is a replica of a CPR station platform. Live music is a huge feature at this festival! In character with the hood, is the Green Village site with speakers and workshops on initiatives on building green, painting green and rooftop gardens. The Festival also uses Bullfrog power by pumping in enough carbon-free power to the grid to match the amount used during the festival. It really is a one-of-a-kind show!
The Contact Photography Festival is the largest of its type festival in the world with over 200 venues sprinkled throughout the Greater Toronto area. For yet another year, the Junction continued to distinguish itself as hosting the largest concentration of venues of the photographic art in the area.
