Riverdale

Riverdale is one of Toronto’s newest up and coming neighbourhoods and is noted for its diverse community and emerging independent design, furniture, food retailers and restaurants. It’s a thriving neighbourhood east of the downtown core, surrounded by abundant parkland, which makes a perfect little hideaway for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city buzz. There are many top-ranked schools, great shopping and convenient access to transit. It is a great location for families and young professionals.  

Riverdale was a small rural community until the Grand Trunk Railway began steaming through the neighbourhood in the 1850’s, when it then attracted a pool of labourers. The neighbourhood began to accelerate with the building of the Prince Edward Viaduct bridge in 1918. This bridge provided an important link to the City of Toronto and was a coming-of-age moment for Riverdale.  

The homes are mostly Victorian and Edwardian style built primarily between 1880 and 1924. Most of the homes have since undergone renovations to fit the design tastes of the young and ever more affluent families, who now populate the neighbourhood.  

Riverdale has become well known for its multiculturalism, with several cultural neighbourhoods along its major paths, such as The Danforth and East Chinatown. There is no shortage of schools such as Riverdale Collegiate Institute, Parkway Vocational School, East Alternative School and Montcrest School, which is a highly recognized private school. Residents of Riverdale enjoy the many greenspaces and parks within the neighbourhood and frequent Riverdale Park East, Withrow Park and Jimmie Simpson Park. 

For those who appreciate the arts, Riverdale is well known for its independent art galleries, which have contributed to the gentrification of Riverdale along Queen Street East and Broadview Avenue. There are many historical buildings and lots of cultural heritage in Riverdale as well, which distinguishes its character and sets it apart from other neighbourhoods.