Wychwood
Wychwood is one of Toronto’s most interesting neighbourhoods. This enclave, which was once a former gated community, sits just north of Davenport Road and west of Bathurst Road. This private community has its own council and is very strict about protecting the privacy of the neighbourhood. Which is why, no doubt it remains a mysterious neighbourhood to the rest of Toronto.
In the 19th century, the neighbourhood was envisioned as an artist’s colony, which was to be home to an artistic community. Artist Marmaduke Matthews was the man behind the vision, and he named the enclave after his childhood home Wychwood in Oxfordshire. He and his friend Alexander Jardine jointly bought the land in 1891 and registered a plan of subdivision in what is now Wychwood.
The homes compliment the landscape of the neighbourhood and are built in Arts and Crafts style, with a few contemporary homes as well. In terms of new-builds, there are not many. The council is quite strict on what is built so to preserve the exclusive feel to the neighbourhood and its original idea.
The neighbourhood also contains a ravine area known as Taddle Creek Pond – a man-made pond that was created by damming Taddle Creek. There is also a tennis court, which offers some recreation to the residents.
This private community is committed to paying for their streets and amenities, and it’s managed by an executive council. Wychwood was the first residential zone in Ontario to be granted a heritage status in 1985.