One Sentence Description

Yorkville is an affluent neighbourhood of Toronto.

About this neighbourhood

Some of the city's most exclusive retail stores line its streets, including: Prada, Gucci, MAC Cosmetics, Hugo Boss, Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Holt Renfrew, Tiffany & Co., Ermenegildo Zegna, Canali, Bulgari, Cartier SA, Harry Rosen, Escada, Calvin Klein, Cole Haan, Vera Wang, Lacoste, Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Swarovski and many more upscale designer labels can all be found here.

In recent years, mid-market retailers have also begun to locate along the strip. In 2005 Winners and La Senza opened stores in prime locations on the strip.

What's Fun ?

Yorkville is known for upscale shopping, restaurants, and the first five star hotel in Canada. Due to this, it has historically been an excellent place for celebspotting, especially in the Hazelton Lanes shopping complex. Since this became known, the celebrities once seen during the Toronto International Film Festival have gone elsewhere with them most often seen in the entertainment district bars and after-hour clubs near the CITY-TV building.

Hungry?

Cheap eats and not so cheap eats, oops, make that ambiance!

History

Founded in 1830 by entrepreneur Joseph Bloor (after whom Bloor Street, one of Toronto's main thoroughfares, is named), the Village of Yorkville began as a residential suburb. Its Victorian-style homes, quiet residential streets, and picturesque gardens survived into the 20th century, when it was annexed by the City of Toronto.

In the 1960s, Yorkville flourished as Toronto's bohemian cultural centre. It was the breeding ground for some of Canada's most noted musical talents, including Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Gordon Lightfoot. Yorkville was also known as the Canadian capital of the hippie movement. In 1968, nearby Rochdale College at the University of Toronto was opened on Bloor Street as an experiment in counterculture education. Those influenced by their time in 1960s-70s Yorkville include cyberpunk writer William Gibson.

In the 1980s and the '90s, steady gentrification of Yorkville resulted in its current distinctive mix of high-end retail, including many art galleries, fashion boutiques and antique stores, and popular bars, cafes and eateries along Cumberland Street and Yorkville Avenue.

Famed restaurant Sassafraz, which was situated in the heart of Yorkville, burned down on December 13, 2006. It is currently undergoing a full restoration.

Who are the people in your neighbourhood?

Neighbourhood personalities, for example...

and where to meet them.

Housing and Accommodations

Yorkville is also home to some of Toronto's most expensive condominium most starting at over one million dollars, including: The Prince Arthur, Renaissance Plaza, 10 Bellair, One St. Thomas, Windsor Arms Hotel,The Hazelton Hotel & Residences,Hazelton Lanes and 1166 Bay St

Transit

Transportation overview, transit options, bike lanes, official routes, highways, Bus. Streetcar. Subway. TTC routes which pass through or cover this neighbourhood. TTC stations / Go Transit / Greyhound Stops

Major Streets and Intersections

Major thoroughfares through this neighbourhood, if any. Existing ones or those planned for the future. Major North-South streets. Major East-West streets.

Parks and Recreation

Indoor outdoor pools, wading pools, waterslides, splashpads, arenas, rinks, golf courses, etc Off leash dog walking areas. Nice places to walk and talk.

Schools

Also see Neighbourhoods for info on other areas of Toronto