Riverside, previously known as Queen-Broadview Village, is now grouped together with Leslieville, despite the efforts of the local BIA to give it its own identity. Ground zero to the Spring's first major outdoor art festival - The Riverdale Art Walk. Riverside is also home to some of Toronto's best burgers, cafes and furniture stores. The Opera House, a live music venue that retains its charm from its former life as Vaudeville theatre.
The History of Riverside
In 1875, the House of Refuge (later renamed Riverdale Hospital) opened at the corner of Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street East. The hospital took on its current name Bridgepoint Active Healthcare in 2002, and later expanded to include the former Don Jail in the Bridgepoint Redevelopment project.
The 1884 annexation of the area then called Riverdale included an area from the Don valley on the west to Greenwood on the east, and from Danforth on the north to Queen Street on the south.
Riverside is located just east of Toronto's downtown core. Since its amendment to the City of Toronto in 1884, it has developed a stature as a neighbourhood of independent arts, with several independent galleries located along Queen Street East. The residential landscape within Riverside is made up primarily of Victorian and Edwardian style homes, constructed in the 1800s as boarding rooms for the working-class.
Many of the residences have since been redeveloped into homes for young families with homes redesigned to fit the tree-lined streetscape. In recent times, local housing values have increased significantly. With this a new generation of young professionals and their families have moved into the area, furthering already widespread gentrification.
Riverside Today
Riverside is known for its many historic buildings and rich cultural heritage. The biggest landmark in the neighbourhood is the Broadview Hotel, a red sandstone commercial block in Romanesque style constructed in 1891–3, that was the tallest structure in South Riverdale for many decades. Other major landmarks include the Ralph Thornton Community Centre, (Queen Saulter branch Toronto Public Library) Broadview Lofts, and The Opera House. Riverside was also the location of Sunlight Park, Toronto's first baseball stadium.
The area has a large young population, evident in the cluster of schools just east of Broadview Avenue. Dundas Junior Public School is the resident school for children in kindergarten through to fifth grade, after which they are transferred to Queen Alexandra Sr. Public School which sees students through to eighth grade. It is also home to the First Nations School of Toronto, a cultural survival school that places heavy emphasis on aboriginal values and culture, and SEED Alternative Secondary School, Canada's first public alternative school.
Riverside is rapidly emerging as a district of independent design, furniture, and food retailers, as well as restaurants.
Riverdale's character is composed primarily from its multiculturalism; with several cultural neighbourhoods along its major paths. Danforth Avenue (commonly referred to as "The Danforth" in Greek Town) has a high concentration of Greek restaurants while Gerrard Street East and parts of Broadview Avenue are home to a variety of Asian shops and restaurants (referred to as East Chinatown). South of Queen Street East are several large corporate film studios extending down to the waterfront. Riverdale is home to the Gerrard Square Mall; which features a variety of retail, restaurant, and small shops. The neighbourhood's character is also defined by the CN Railway, which separates the area into two districts, North Riverdale (north of the tracks) which is primarily residential (for the exception of Gerrard Square Mall and The Danforth and South Riverdale (also known as the Riverside District) south to Lake Shore.
Riverside Real Estate
Riverside is more affordable by Toronto standards. This is surprising given its close proximity to downtown Toronto and the many wonderful amenities available within this neighbourhood. There are a variety of condominium living options available here ranging from trendy hard and soft lofts to condominium townhomes. Most of the houses in this neighbourhood are heritage homes and feature Victorian, Second Empire or Edwardian architecture. The older semi-detached and attached townhomes are quite narrow and generally do not include off street parking. There are not that many detached houses in this neighbourhood. The saying “everything that is old is new again” comes to mind when describing Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood. This quaint urban neighbourhood was the land of opportunity for Toronto home-buyers 100 years ago. Fast forward to now and Toronto home-buyers are once again discovering the value that this revitalized east-end neighbourhood has to offer.
Looking for the best of Riverside?
Parks
Schools
Please click here for a comprehensive list of schools in Riverside..
Restaurants
Est: Intimate setting for tasting menus of globally-inspired Canadian cuisine plus late-night cocktails.
Lan Vietnamese: Inviting option for classic Vietnamese cooking and bar options including specialty cocktails.
The Rooftop: Rooftop bar with a terrace and airy, indoor space, offering panoramic views and an eclectic menu.
Cafés
Dark Horse Espresso Bar: Espresso specialist serving baked goods, with a communal table and free WiFi in a cozy space.
The Cannonball: Funky café offering light lunches & bakery fare, plus live music and a diverse range of workshops.
Bonjour Brioche: Busy cash-only French bakery/café serving breakfast and lunch, with croissants, quiches and sandwiches.