This quaint little pocket south of Bloor Street West is not well known by name to many unless they're familiar with the west end of Toronto. If you say you live in "Swansea" to some people, sadly they have no idea where it is. Quick executive summary as far as area history: Swansea was incorporated as a village in 1926. This neighbourhood is the only one in Toronto to have it's own community run Town Hall (Lavinia Avenue). In 1615, not a typo....Etienne Brule, Samuel de Champlain's protege was the first European to set foot in what we know today as Swansea.
The name is derived like many area names from places in England. Here, the name Swansea was named after Swansea in Wales (western England) also too with it's rolling topography. In addition, this neighbourhood is the only one in Toronto that is bordered by three bodies of water, Grenadier Pond to the east, Lake Ontario to the south and the Humber River to the west. Pretty neat!
Since the mid 2000's, the southern portion of Swansea, namely at the base of Windermere and the Queensway has undergone a major turn-around. The former brownfield was home to the Stelco site. It was decomissioned and later developed into a series of townhomes and condos that flank either side of Windermere. I must say that upon first glance many moons ago I did not think that much would come of this unglamorous spot. Boy, was I wrong. These places show quite well. These places are now known as Windermere by the Lake at 93 The Queensway and 15 Windermere Avenue as well as the larger townhomes on the opposite side of Winderemere that have the Next condo in it's backyard so to speak nxtcondos.com
The area is in walking distance of Bloor West Village and it's shops as well as two subway stations, Jane and Runnymede. Being on the subway will always hold it's value. A bus route along Windermere as well as Morningside Avenue make their way to the above subway stations on the Bloor-Danforth line. If you're a driver, you're in luck as Swansea lies at an ideal equidistant point to all that is important, be it the Gardner expressway eastbound or westbound via the Queensway and Parklawn. This is all accesible going southbound either on Windermere Avenue or the South Kingsway.
The age of the homes dates back to the 20's and 30's, remaining smaller homes boast period details unique to the period namely leaded glass windows, extensive woodwork and hand-crafted plaster crown moulding. Most homes fall under the category of detached or semi-detached homes that have either mutual or private drives in addition to street parking. In recent years, some residents have done an impressive job of expanding their homes vertically. No, these are not McMansions, some homes are at least in-keeping with the general architecture of the neighbourhood. As far as hotspots, being in close proximity to Bloor West Village, this area has access to the same shops and the like.
A cute parkette of note is Rennie Park which lies south of Morningside Avenue and east of Windermere Avenue behind Swansea Jr. & Sr. School. This parkette boasts four tennis courts, a wading pool and an artificial ice rink. Also a quick reminder that High Park can be accessed from Bloor Street or through a walking path via Ellis Park Road.
SCHOOLS IN SWANSEA
St. Pius X (elementary), 71 Jane Street 416-393-5237
Swansea Jr. & Sr., 207 Windermere Avenue 416-393-9080
Humbserside Collegiate Institute, 280 Quebec Avenue 416-393-0000
MLS®#:W5081967 Status:Sale Pending Type:Condominium Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
2+1
2
Area:
1000-1199 Sq Ft
Welcome To The Incredible Nxt Condominiums By Cresford. Stunning Corner Unit With Amazing Lake And City Skyline Views, 1135 Sq Ft. 377 Sq Ft Balcony, Great Layout. 9 Ft Ceiling. Steps To Highway, Great Schools, Sunny Side Beach, High Park, Bloor Village. 10 Mins Drive To Airport. Loaded With Amenities, Indoor And Outdoor Pool, Tennis Court, 24H Sec....More details
MLS®#:W5062949 Status:For Sale Type:Commercial Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
1
Successful Pet Store Business In The Heart Of Bloor West Village. Lots Of Foot Traffic In Vibrant Neighbourhood. Close Proximity To Subway, Hwy, And Large New Development Being Built Directly Across The Street For A 244 Unit Condo Building. Great Existing Clientele And Sales. Successful Newly Renovated Grooming Studio In The Lower Level, Close To J....More details
MLS®#:W5088375 Status:Sale Pending Type:Condominium Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
1+0
1
Area:
500-599 Sq Ft
Don't Miss This Rarely Offered Upper Level Corner Unit! This Spacious One Bedroom Faces The Courtyard & Has One Car Parking. Open Concept Living/Dining With Updated Floors. Quartz Countertop Kitchen With Double Sink & Breakfast Bar That Seats 3+. Bright Master Bedroom With Large Double Closet. This Townhome Is Waiting For You. Access To All Of The ....More details
MLS®#:W5003573 Status:Sale Pending Type:Condominium Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
1+0
1
Area:
0-499 Sq Ft
Bright, Airy And Spacious 1 Bedroom Terrace Unit! High Ceilings And Tall Windows Flood This Unit With Light. Walkout From The Living Room To Your Huge Terrace With Views Of High Park. Steps From The Lake, High Park And Ttc. Modern Kitchen With Stainless Steel Appliances. 1 Underground Parking Spot And Storage Locker Included. Amazing Building Ameni....More details
MLS®#:W5088007 Status:Sale Pending Type:Condominium Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
1+0
1
Area:
0-499 Sq Ft
Penthouse Condo Facing West With A Spectacular Unobstructed View Through Floor To Ceiling Windows. Comes With Undrgrnd Parking And Locker. A Very Clean And Well-Kept Unit. Instant Access To Highway And Public Transit; 10Min Drive To Downtown Subject To Traffic; Nestled Between High Park And Humber River Providing Ample Access To Nature; 24Hr Concie....More details
MLS®#:W5090216 Status:For Sale Type:Residential Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
3+1
3
Beautifully Upgraded Family Home 3+1 Beds/3Baths Of Fabulous & Functional Living Space In High Park-Swansea Neighbourhood. Truly A Cherished Family Home. Private Backyard, Deck, Open Concept Custom Kitchen,(Heated Floor Upstair Bathroom) Brand New Windows & Patio Door2020,Fireplace,Walk To Bloor St. West, Swansea Public School, Lake Ontario, High P....More details
MLS®#:W5090267 Status:For Sale Type:Residential Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
4+0
3
Area:
2000-2500 Sq Ft
Welcome Home To 5 Ridley Gardens. Perfectly Situated In The Roncesvalles/High Park Neighborhood, Steps To High Park And The Lake. This 2 1/2 Story Semi-Detached Home Has 4 Bedrooms, 3 Washrooms. 1 Car Garage And 1 Car Driveway. 2 Private Decks, One Off The Main Floor And 2nd Off The 2nd Floor Bedroom. Enjoy Your Morning Coffee In The Sun Room Over ....More details
MLS®#:W5083446 Status:For Sale Type:Condominium Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
1+1
2
Area:
800-899 Sq Ft
Beautiful, Bright & Spacious 1+1 Condo With Bamboo Floors, 9Ft Ceilings And 2 Full Washrooms! Views Overlooking Courtyard, Grenadier Pond, The Lake And Cityscape Of Toronto. Open Kitchen Features Granite Counters, Stainless Steel Appliances, Bamboo Floor And Subway Tiled Backsplash. This Is A Large Condo With A Great Layout That Includes A Separ....More details
MLS®#:W4984300 Status:For Sale Type:Commercial Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
19
In The Middle Of Bloor West Village. Over 60 Feet Frontage On Bloor,Corner Property. Sixteen One Bedroom Apts And 4 Commercial Units. Only 4 Residential Units And 1 Commercial Unit Are Occupied. The Seller Also Occupies One Of The Commercial Units As An Office But Seller Will Vacate On Closing. Ideal Opportunity For Developer Or Renovator. All Offe....More details
MLS®#:W4974454 Status:For Sale Type:Commercial Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
2
In The Heart Of One Of Toronto\'s Iconic Neighbourhood, Bloor West Village. Two Minute Walk To The Subway, Surrounded By Shops And Restaurants, An Abundance Of Green P Parking, With One Of The Highest Pedestrian Traffic Flows In Canada. A Great Location For A Thriving Business.
MLS®#:W4866137 Status:For Sale Type:Residential Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
4+1
4
Area:
2500-3000 Sq Ft
Welcome To 2 Indian Grove, A 3 Storey 4 Bed 4 Bath Detached On A Double-Sized Lot. 1 Block From High Park. Exceptional Architectural Design By John Patricia Patkau. Traditional Exterior W/ Unusual Clinker Brick Facing, Interior Shell Is Modern Sculpted Steel & Wood. Live In A Piece Of Art While Enjoying An Unmatched Lush Landscape. Lower Can Be Of....More details
MLS®#:W5094133 Status:For Sale Type:Condominium Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
1+1
2
Area:
800-899 Sq Ft
Tridel's Finest Boutique Green-Living Condo! Steps To Old Mill, Kingsway & Village Shops! Hop To Jane Subway. Spacious, Upgraded 840 Sq Ft Suite (Includes Balcony). Unobstructed Private North Sunset Views! 9Ft Smooth Ceilings, Modern Kitchen + Granite Counters & Breakfast Bar. Large Office/Den, 2 Modern Baths. Master Ensuite & W/I Closet! Entert....More details
MLS®#:W5060300 Status:Sale Pending Type:Commercial Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
Bloor West Village Prime Shopping Location. This 3 Storey Structure With Main Floor Store Plus 5 Residential Units Sits On The Southside Of Bloor At Durie Impeccable Solid Investment In Very Good Condition Fully Rented. Priced To Sell It Is An Amazing Long Term Investment
MLS®#:W4999549 Status:For Sale Type:Residential Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
5+2
5
* High Park Multiplex! Uniquely Build Legal 5 Plex W/ Independent Hydro (200 Amp Service), Plumbing And Fire Rated * This Is A Large Well-Maintained Property W/Parking For 3-4 Vehicles * Located In A Great Rental Area -Roncesvalles Village Is A Popular Place To Raise A Family And Sports Dozens Of Restaurants * Multiple Decks'19 And Walk-Outs * Larg....More details
MLS®#:W5000675 Status:Sale Pending Type:Condominium Community:High Park-Swansea - Toronto
1+0
1
Area:
0-499 Sq Ft
Clean, Bright One Bedroom With Balcony & Breathtaking Lake View. Shows 10++, 9 Ft Ceilings, State-Of-Art Amenities. Walking Distance To Lake Ontario. Minutes To Downtown. Front Door Street Car & Much, Much More