When you think of houses in NYC or Boston, it is often the picturesque Brownstone walk-ups. These architectural styles are some of the calling cards of those cities—the demonstration of historical significance, architecture, luxury and central location. The same goes for the walk-ups in London neighbourhoods like Chelsea and South Kensington. These are iconic. One of the neighbourhoods that best demonstrates our architectural history, snapshots of the late 1880s and early 1900s, is Summerhill: the Victorian semis and the grander detached homes.
In our opinion, architectural style makes a neighbourhood great, and this is only one aspect that makes Summerhill an excellent spot to live. Summerhill has long been held as a deeply desirable central neighbourhood in Toronto, sharing neighbourhood boundaries with Rosedale, Yorkville and Rathnelly – all of which are exceptional areas of Toronto.
Homes and Streetscapes
In addition to the above, it’s worth noting that the homes in Summerhill are of historical significance; many have historical plaques on them. Something that has happened in recent years with the influx of new money is a modernist take on the original design. Modern accents have been added to many homes. Interestingly, we have found that whatever homeowners do in Summerhill inspires other historic neighbourhoods. Whether it’s using black trim around windows or a deep, dark blue in a similar manner, this look started in Summerhill; then we began to see the Annex, Roncy, and Dufferin Grove begin selecting these very same colours. Away from the white, taupe, and greens of yesteryears. The use of black and dark blue nicely meshes with the dark brownstones of the homes in Summerhill.
The Summerhill streetscape is also a wonderful aspect of the neighbourhood. The properties are narrower than you would find in Rosedale. However, the homeowners have made the most of the front yards (and backyards, for that matter), maximizing that space and using aesthetically inspiring shrubs and fences. In some cases, the front yards are outright artistic. The tree-lined streets make for a quaint experience for those driving through the area and those walking their dogs. Summerhill is one of the lucky areas that has kept their century-old trees, partly because of the era in which the neighbourhood was built.
Want to learn more about Toronto’s most sought-after neighbourhoods? Check out these other posts from our blogs:
- Is The Annex, Toronto Safe?
- Top Things To Do In Summerhill In Winter
- Is Rosedale A Family Neighbourhood?
Restaurants and Cafes
Summerhill borders on Yonge Street, so as you can imagine, there are a lot of restaurants and cafes to choose from; whether it’s a Michelin guide restaurant like Taline, family-oriented Terroni’s or the French restaurant Sorrel, you are well covered with options. When it comes to a healthy grab-and-go, there is Impact Kitchen and Nutbar. Cafes like Boxcar Social and Pantry are excellent options for grabbing a coffee and strolling through the neighbourhood.
Condo Living
A growing aspect of living in Summerhill is condo living, whether it’s Scrivener Square (still one of the best condo developments in the city), Hill and Dale (1 Roxbroought Street East), 33 Jackes, or one of the many low-rise boutique developments (like 36 Birch Ave) that have been developed in recent years. When Rosedale, Forrest Hill, and Lawrence Park residents decided to adjust their lifestyles from mansion living to a more convenient, pedestrian-oriented lifestyle, Summerhill is often the preferred choice as it offers a similar demographic and restaurants while also offering an easy way to leave the city for the cottage or country home via Rosedale Valley Road.
Since downsizers from sophisticated areas of the city wish to live in Summerhill, the condo building is more luxurious and has finer amenities than other areas of the city. On the flip side, well-funded first-time buyers are lined up waiting for units to become available in buildings like Scrivener Square as they prefer the convenience of downtown employment, familiarity with the area, and quality that the condos offer.
Curious about the types of homes you may find in Summerhill? Explore these blogs for more insights.
Discover Your Next Home in Summerhill
Summerhill is a highly desirable area to own and live in. The quality of homes is well cared for through investment and pride of ownership. The mix of country homes offers variety and uniqueness and is aspirational. The values have always gone up over time, and we can tell you, as agents at Chestnut Park Real Estate, we have a long list of buyers eager to acquire properties in Summerhill and Rosedale. Our office is on Yonge Street in Summerhill. We also know of a number of would-be sellers preparing to go to market.
Searching for the perfect Toronto neighbourhood to call home? I’m here to help. Reach me by email at ryan@ryanroberts.ca or call 416-925-9191.
