North of High Park and south of the Stockyards District you’ll find The Junction. Named for the intersection of railway lines crossing at the neighbourhood’s east side, The Junction is an upbeat, tenacious community in Toronto’s west end with an eclectic population. The Junction is characterized by the multitude of trendy restaurants, popular cafes, and eccentric energy permeating the community.
The neighbourhood was originally founded as a village in 1884 before merging with the City of Toronto in 1909. Much of the neighbourhood’s original architecture is still intact, adding to the historical charm and small-town feel the community has maintained.
Why you’ll love it here
Though they are the defining landmark of this neighbourhood, the railway lines that cut through The Junction are also the reason it hasn’t experienced the same transformation as many other popular Toronto neighbourhoods. This means that compared to the rest of the city, The Junction is still a relatively affordable place to live. The area’s attractive real estate opportunities have brought many kinds of people to settle in the neighbourhood who all share a palpable community pride.
Dundas Street West runs through the centre of this neighbourhood, and serves as the main shopping district. There are countless amenities within walking distance of most homes, so you can easily access all of your daily needs, and plenty of restaurants line this popular city street, including The Butternut Baking Co., serving classic baked goods in gluten-free variations, Honest Weight, a New England-style dining spot and fishmonger serving creative seafood dishes, and Shox’s Billiard Lounge, a laid-back bar and patio featuring draft beer and welcoming billiards room.
For enjoying the outdoors, you can run, walk, hike, or bike the multi-use trail along the West Toronto Rail Path that connects The Junction directly to the downtown core. The neighbourhood also has a number of greenspaces and parkettes peppered throughout the area. Runnymede Park is home to George Bell Arena, where residents can go for a leisurely skate or sign up for competitive hockey programs.
On the other side of The Junction’s southern border of Annette Street, you’ll find the Annette Community Recreation Centre. Here, residents can partake in a dozen different arts programs, from dance to visual arts, sign up for camps, join fitness programs, including yoga and pilates, and more. Incredibly accessible by foot and easily navigated by car, this neighbourhood is popular among young families, couples, and professionals.
The Junction real estate
There are a variety of property types including detached and semi-detached homes and some condos and apartments. Along wide, tree-lined Annette Street you’ll find handsome Victorian homes on generous lots boasting charming features like quaint front porches and fabulous entryways.
Around Dundas Street West and in the northern part of the neighbourhood you’ll find smaller, less elaborate homes, with some converted multi-unit properties. Well served by public transit, residents in The Junction can get to downtown Toronto in just 10 minutes.
Don’t miss the annual Junction Summer Solstice Festival which celebrates the longest day of the year with local food, vendors, and live music along Dundas Street West.
