72

Walk Score

79

Transit Score

Lawrence Station

Closest Subway Station

The Vibe

This is one of those old school, old money neighbourhoods where you’re only in the area if you know someone, are lost or are loaded. It’s a garden “suburb” designed for elegant living for the wealthy and is now not so much a ‘burb as it is a north Toronto place you can aspire to live.

The Story

Lawrence Park is known as the "garden suburb" because it was built around an actual Park that was owned by John Lawrence. Along with other founders, John Lawrence was responsible for the landscaping in the area along the boulevards as well as the parks. Its design was started back in 1907 and was not completed until the 1950’s. They were also responsible for the landscaping of the homes being built in the area. The design was created to represent the picturesque views of the parkland, ravines and rolling hills. The area was built to attract the well to do and even houses elite destinations as The Granite Club, Loretto Abbey Catholic School and The Crescent School

This area was not only literally built for the well to do, but also took decades to complete thanks to two world wars.  It was the brainstorm of the President of the Dovercourt Land Building and Saving Company, Wilfred Servington Dinnick, (seriously that was his name) when his company acquired the north parcel of the park.

At that time the park was owned by John Lawrence, hence the name Lawrence Park. Interestingly, the founders of Sheridan Nurseries, Howard and Lorrie Dunington-Grubb (and again seriously that was their name – Grubb the bane of all lawns), were responsible for the landscaping in the area along the boulevards as well as the parks. They then took over the landscaping for the homes being built in the area which is the reason the neighbourhood has its parklike feel and why it truly stands up to its name as a garden suburb.

Lawrence Park homes were advertised as high end and located in an ""aristocratic neighbourhood." It bragged that the area was located "four hundred feet above Lake Ontario, and Far from the Lake Winds in Winter.” By its very design it was built to be picturesque with a pastoral feel that included parkland, ravines and rolling hills.

Once the area was complete it also became home to such elite destinations as The Granite Club, Loretto Abbey Catholic School and The Crescent School.

 

The Convenience

This neighbourhood is conveniently situated from Yonge to the west over to Bayview on the east and Lawrence Avenue East to the north and roughly Blythewood Road to the south. Bus lines run along all the major roads in the area and the Lawrence subway station is located at the north west tip of the neighbourhood at Yonge and Lawrence. The 401 is also just a few moments away. You’ll find plenty of conveniences at Yonge Lawrence Village which provides a small-town, sequestered feel to the clearly high-end shops, restaurants and services that cater to the elite residents.

The Residents

As with all of Toronto’s most desirable neighbourhoods the residents here are highly successful professionals with above average incomes. In fact, it is considered to have Canada’s most expensive postal code, which gives you an indication of what it takes to afford a home here. Interestingly both Mayor John Tory and his most recent running mate Karen Stintz live here, and it was also home to Roberta Bondar, our first female astronaut.

The Best Part

This area was designed to accentuate the landscape and greenery with lush lawns, pretty parks and perfectly situated homes. It’s the garden suburb designed for upscale living without having to move too far from the excitement of the city.

The Worst Part

It’s not really an area you can aspire to live in unless you are expecting to win the lottery, inherit the estate of an unknown lord in England or maybe will be cutting the next “Thriller” album.

The Real Estate

There’s no shortage of charm, quaintness and elegance throughout Lawrence Park where the selection includes a wide variety of homes from English Cottage to Tudor and Colonial to Georgian. You’ll find mostly older homes built between 1910 up to say 1948, but there’re also some condos and housing in the works. You’ll find that the area has tried to maintain the old school look of the homes including stunning lead glass, original trim and magnificent fireplaces. The new developments are claiming they will respect this look with designs that’ll blend in with the sophisticated old-world charm.

The Schools

As can be expected this high-end area also has some of the best schools including:

Elementary

Bedford Park Public School

81 Ranleigh Avenue

(JK to Grade 8)

Blessed Sacrament

24 Bedford Park Boulevard

(JK to Grade 8)

Blythwood Jr.

2 Strathgowan Crescent

(JK to Grade 6)

Secondary

Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School

101 Mason Boulevard

(Grade 9 to 12)

Private/Specialty

Sunny View Jr. & Sr.

450 Blythwood Road

(JK to Grade 8)

Crescent School

2365 Bayview Avenue

(Grade 3 to 12)

Crestwood School

411 Lawrence Avenue East

(JK to Grade 12)

Toronto French School

296 Lawrence Avenue East

(Preschool to Grade 7)

Havergal College School

1451 Avenue Road

(Kindergarten to Grade 12)

Are you thinking about calling Lawrence Park your new home?

Contact us today, and we can get started on finding you a home in this one-of-a-kind Toronto neighbourhood

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