Living in South Annex is as close as Toronto gets to the storied areas of Boston and Cambridge which houses some of the finest universities in the US. These ivy league neighbourhoods are known for history, leaders and inspiration. A stone’s throw from the UofT Campus sits some of the inspired streets of downtown Toronto – Toronto’s ivy league neighbourhood equivalent. Victorians small and large line the streets. One way streets usher cars away from some of the best the South Annex has to offer, streets like Robert Street, Major Street and Willcocks Street. The tree lines sidewalks are perfect for a stroll no matter what the season…although the Fall is a favourite of most residents.
Living in the South Annex of Toronto means that you may have a professor sharing a semi-detached house party-wall with a successful business person. A student (although, not many remain in the Annex as the properties have been turning over and restored to single-family residences) sharing a wall with an acclaimed artist. The South Annex is a wonderful mixing pot of Toronto culture and intelligence.
Many of the Victorian homes in the South Annex were built in the late 1880s. Needless to say, these brick houses are dearly loved by residents and those who stroll through the neighbourhood. There is an inherent sense of inviting and warmth to these homes. The shade given by 100+-year-old trees adds to the quaint neighbourhood feel.
As mentioned before the South Annex, like most of downtown Toronto, has gentrified immensely from the days of student ghetto back to the original purpose, single-family homes. The massive wealth growth of people choosing to live in downtown Toronto over the last 20 years has meant that areas like Rosedale and Yorkville living have spilled into the adjacent neighbourhoods. The Annex and South Annex have been going through what we call the “Yorkvillification of the Annex”. Wealthy homeowners embracing the historic Annex facades while making modern stylistic improvements on the interior. Making for a wonderful mix of old and new.
