Yonge and Eglinton
The ultra-modern North Toronto community, which is commonly referred to as “Young and Eligible’ is known for its heavily populated demographic of young professionals and families with school-aged children. The intersection of this neighbourhood after, which it has been named, has been an important intersection for over 100 years! In this neighbourhood you will be amongst a vibrant but career-focused crowd in a trendy area of the city.
The area was known as Eglington Village and was amalgamated as part of Toronto in 1890. The 1800’s estate speculators were encouraged to invest and build in the area because of its close proximity to the downtown core. North Toronto was annexed in 1912. Members of the community voted in favour of the annexation because they felt municipal services were lacking. The annexation proved to be a good thing for the neighbourhood, and caused a huge building boom. The neighbourhood was fully developed by 1940. Before it became an ideal location for commuters, it was primarily an agricultural community.
Today, Yonge and Eglinton is a desired neighbourhood to live in for the young professional and couples who are raising a family or getting their careers started. Houses were built in the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s and there is an array of options to choose from. The original homes consist of Tudor and Craftman bungalows and semi-detached Victorian, Georgian and Colonial styles. The architecture creates a whimsical appeal to the neighbourhood, paired with the mature tree canopies.
Early North Toronto developer Wilfred Servington Dinnick, was known to incorporate strict architectural guidelines to ensure a uniformed streetscape. More recently with new luxury condominiums having been built, the look of the neighbourhood has been modernized and appeals to the younger demographic living in the area. The new condos provide a satisfying demand for entry-level price points, which is one of the reasons young professionals and families are attracted to the area.
There is a vibrant lifestyle in Yonge and Eglinton. There are many bars, restaurants, nightclubs and theatres in the area, which is where the nickname ‘young and eligible’ came from. The mix of stores on Yonge and Eglinton is diverse. The Young and Eglinton Centre offers indoor shopping to residents, and the North Toronto Community Centre offers recreational services to the community. The community centre has a gymnasium, squash court, walking track and waterslide. There is also Eglinton Park, which has a sports field, baseball diamond, wading pool, playground and tennis courts. There is no shortage of things to do and see in this exciting neighbourhood.