Rosedale is one of Toronto’s oldest and wealthiest suburbs, located north of downtown. With its narrow, tree-filled streets and turn-of-the-century mansions, Rosedale is where some of Canada’s richest and most famous citizens, including Ken Thomson, reside. Surrounded by tranquil parkland and ravines and conveniently located just a few minutes from Toronto’s major commercial and business districts, Rosedale combines natural beauty with recreational opportunities through its beautiful parks and proximity to the busy downtown atmosphere. Virtually no vehicular traffic can be heard, thanks to the abundance of trees and foliage that seclude the community from the city centre. No wonder it has been among the most fashionable addresses for more than a century!
Photo by AshtonPal
Location
The neighbourhood lies within the City of Toronto’s Rosedale-Moore Park neighbourhood. Rosedale’s generally accepted boundaries consist of the CPR railway tracks to the north, Rosedale Ravine to the south, the Don Valley to the east and Yonge Street to the west. Rosedale is neatly divided into north and south portions by the Park Drive Ravine.
History
In 1824, Sheriff William Botsford Jarvis purchased a 110-acre estate and settled on a homestead which would later become South Rosedale. His wife, Mary Jarvis, came up with the Rosedale name, impressed by the profusion of roses that graced the hillsides around their estate. Mary Jarvis’ daily walks and frequent horse rides through Rosedale blazed a trail for its present-day meandering streets. The Rosedale homestead was sold in 1864, leading to the subdivision and residential development of South Rosedale shortly thereafter.
The construction of Glen Road bridge across the Park Drive Ravine marked the beginning of North Rosedale’s development in 1909. North Rosedale’s development was sporadic until it was mostly completed by the late 1920s and early 1930s. Scottish Highland shareholders had already registered a plan of subdivision named Rosedale Park in 1884, which named many of the streets after the development’s principles and prominent Ontario citizens.
Local Trivia
- Rosedale was originally the home of the Toronto Argonauts.
- From 1899 to 1924, North Rosedale was the home of St. Andrew’s College, an all-boys boarding school (which has since moved to Aurora), and the Rosedale Golf Club. The golf club’s former lacrosse field is famous for being the site of the first Grey Cup game.
First football 1908 St Andrews College
- South Rosedale and North Rosedale are among the 15 heritage conservation districts in the City of Toronto. South Rosedale’s designation as a heritage conservation district was spearheaded by the South Rosedale Ratepayers’ Association (which was formed in 1931 and which is the oldest such association in Toronto). Thanks to the group’s efforts, South Rosedale was granted heritage conservation district status in 2003. North Rosedale’s Frederick Law Olmstead-inspired Garden Suburb street pattern, ravine topography, grand old homes, and classical architecture made it an easy choice for heritage conservation district status.
- North Rosedale Ratepayer's Association is a group of neighbours volunteering to promote the welfare of North Rosedale, and preserve its current characteristics and heritage. The association strives to improve the neighbourhood's safety and its attractiveness, and serves as a forum for communication between all the stakeholders, along with the government of the City of Toronto.
Homes, Architecture & Real Estate
Strolling through Rosedale, you can marvel at magnificent, large, and stately homes built between 1860 and 1930. Ranging from Victorian and neo-Georgian to Stockbroker’s Tudor and Edwardian Classical style, these estates maintain their architectural integrity to this day thanks to high quality renovations and reconstructions. More than half of the thousand residential properties in North Rosedale are listed on the Toronto Historical Board’s Inventory of Heritage Properties.
Photo by AshtonPal
South Rosedale boasts a number of luxurious but affordable condominiums, as well as co-operative and co-ownership apartment buildings. Newer ‘monster homes’ emerge, satisfying every taste. Real estate in Rosedale is at such a premium that buyers spend a million dollars on a home, only to tear it down to build a custom mansion.
Photo by Trevor Hunter
Who Is Your Neighbour?
Rosedale is a haven for the ‘old money’ elite. Average income is $213,941, one of the highest incomes of all Toronto neighbourhoods. It is almost entirely English speaking. The neighbourhood has around 8,000 residents, most of them married, owning their own house.
Parks & Green Spaces
- Separating Rosedale from the Yorkville neighbourhood, Rosedale Park is an inspiring oasis in the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto, located off Schofield Avenue. The park has eight tennis courts, a sports field, an artificial ice rink, and a wading pool. While worth strolling through during day to enjoy the breathtaking views of skyscrapers and a tree-filled slope, it should be known that it is extremely unsafe at night. Rosedale Park is also home to the annual spring park party, Mayfair.
Photo by AshtonPal
- Chorley Park is a beautiful plot of land, filled with trails, overlooking the Don River Valley. From 245 Douglas Drive, you can see a rock to which is attached a 1975 Toronto Historical Board plaque, telling the story of the park. During the Great Depression, the Lieutenant Governor of the province’s office was located on the parkland in an elaborate government building, which was first closed in 1937 and then torn down in 1960 after Ontario citizens fought against the cost of its upkeep. The land was eventually added to the municipal parks system.
Photo by AshtonPal
- Ramsden Park, at 1020 Yonge Street, is a large urban park on the western edge of the neighbourhood. It is ideal for picnicking during summer and for skating during winter. The park also features tennis courts.
- Craigleigh Gardens, Winston Churchill Park, and Beaumont Park are some of the parks in the Rosedale/Moore Park area, offering a wide range of opportunities for outdoor activity.
Recreation & Culture
In Rosedale, you will find several recreational opportunities. Fitness and nature enthusiasts enjoy the beautiful trails in the network of ancient ravines, including the Vale of Avoca, Moore Park, Park Drive and Rosedale Valley ravines. Rosedale Park, Ramsden Park and Mooredale House offer outdoor sports, play areas and community programs.
- Mooredale House, at 146 Crescent Road, is a community centre offering sports, fitness, arts, and music programs for both adults and children. It is run by the Rosedale and Moore Park resident associations and there is a small annual fee to join.
- Rosedale Golf Club is greatly appreciated by golf enthusiasts. Its 18-hole course was rated 7.50 by SCOREGolf, making it among the top-rated courses in the province. For family fun, the community centre at 146 Crescent Road offers (for a small annual fee) sports, fitness, arts and music programs for both children and adults.
- Rosedale Rink Ice Skating Rink is an outdoor rink that opens seasonally from December 8th to February 28th. Ice skating sessions for the public are one of the main attractions at Rosedale Rink. Adult and youth ice hockey programs and leagues are offered, too.
- The Rosedale Wellness Centre, established in 1989 at 365 Bloor St. E., has become one of Canada’s leaders in providing quality care and innovative wellness programs for the community. Some of the offered services include chiropractic, physiotherapy, naturopathy, massage therapy, acupuncture, and personal training, as well as a complete pilates and yoga studio.
- Rosedale Presbyterian Church provides a variety of outreach opportunities such as the Fall Festival of the Arts, the Rosedale Knitters, and the St. James Town After-School Programme. The Rosedale Scottish Country Dancers hold classes at Rosedale Presbyterian Church, 129 Mount Pleasant Rd at South Drive.
Libraries
There are no public libraries in the neighbourhood, but residents can be served by the following ones
- Deer Park Public Library, 40 St. Clair Avenue E, (416) 393-7657
- Toronto Public Library - St. James Town Branch, 495 Sherbourne St, (416) 393-7744
- Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St, (416) 395-5577
Schools, Colleges and Universities
- Rosedale Jr., 22 South Drive, (416) 393-1330 (Public School)
- Whitney Jr., 119 Rosedale Heights Drive, (416) 393-9380 (Public School)
- Jesse Ketchum Jr. and Sr., 61 Davenport Road, (416) 393-1530 (Public School)
- Rosedale Heights Secondary School , 711 Bloor Street East, (416) 393-1580 (Public High School)
- Jarvis Collegiate Institute, 495 Jarvis Street, (416) 393-0140 (Public High School)
- Branksome Hall, (an exclusive all-girls school) 10 Elm Avenue, (416) 920-9741 (Private School)
- Bishop Strachan School, 298 Lonsdale Road, (416) 483-4325 (Private School)
- Upper Canada College, 200-220 Lonsdale Road, (416) 488-1125 (Private School)
Arts & Entertainment
- Traditionally held on the first Saturday in May in Rosedale Park and organized by Mooredale House (which is right across the street from Rosedale Public School, a small elementary school), Mayfair is a lively event that typically consists of rides, games, a flea market, and other carnival activities.
- Cavalcade of Lights Rosedale Festival is the traditional lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree and consequent light show, which have run almost for a half century.
Shopping
Rosedale residents living west of Mount Pleasant Road enjoy a fine selection of upscale shops and restaurants within walking distance of the nearby Summerhill area. Filled with expensive retail shops and buzzing with nightlife, Yonge Street is the main destination.
Photo by thru the night
Restaurants
- Earth (American -New), 1055 Yonge St, (416) 551-9810
- Petite Thuet (French), 1162 Yonge St, (416) 924-2777
- The Firkin Group of Pubs, 1055 Yonge Street, (416) 644-0370
- Rosedale Diner, 1164 Yonge St, (416) 923-3122
- Taco Villa (Mexican), 218 Yonge St, (416) 636-9162
- Buena Vista, (Mexican), 523 Yonge St, (416) 923-4545
- The Witches Table, (Japanese), 591 Yonge St, (416) 925-3560
- Black Camel, 4 Crescent Rd, (416) 929-7518
Transportation
- Subway: The neighbourhood is served by Rosedale Station on the Yonge-University-Spadina line, at the corner of Yonge Street and Crescent Road. This station is well-suited for accessing the Yonge Street section of Rosedale, as well as the western section of the residential part. Castle Frank Station on the Bloor-Danforth line is located in the south-east corner of the neighbourhood, near the Don Valley. Summerhill Station on the Yonge-University-Spadina line is located immediately north of the north-west corner of the neighbourhood.
Photo by AshtonPal
- By Bus. The 82 Rosedale bus runs on South Drive, Crescent Road and Glen Road, as well as Summerhill, Maclennan, Highland and Elm Avenues. The 82 Rosedale is Toronto’s oldest continuously running bus route, running along the neighbourhood’s only main thoroughfare, Mount Pleasant Road, and terminating immediately north of Rosedale. After serving Sherbourne Street through downtown, the 75 Sherbourne bus terminates in the eastern end of Rosedale. The Rosedale buses connect with Rosedale Station on the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line and Sherbourne Station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line.
Photo by AshtonPal
- By Car. Motorists are just minutes away from the Don Valley Parkway.
Rosedale Valley, photo by AshtonPal
Medical Centres & Doctors
There are plenty of doctors in the neighbourhood. You can also find numerous doctors and medical centres in the nearby neighbourhoods (Yorkville, The Annex and others), such as :
- The Toronto Clinic, 55 Avenue Rd, (416) 849-5555
- Rosedale Dental Centre, 890 Yonge St, (416) 967-7673
- Rosedale Wellness Centre, 365 Bloor Street E, (416) 975-0499
Police Station
53 Division, 75 Eglinton Av. W., 416-808-5300, Fax:416-808-5302
Fire Station
Station #313, 441 Bloor Street East
Post Offices
- Bloorview Services, 20 Bloor Street E, (866) 607-6301
- Canada Post, 50 Charles Street E, (416) 413-4815
Churches & Religious Organisations
- The United Church of Canada, 159 Roxborough Drive, (416) 924-0725
- Rosedale Presbyterian Church, 129 Mount Pleasant Road, (416) 921-1931
- Holy Word, 29 Edgar Avenue, (416) 744-9346
Demographics
- Total Population: 3,546
- Total Households: 1,471
- Average household income: $71,508.00
- Average age: 44
- Top religion: Roman Catholic (23.21%)
- Top ethnicities: English (19.0%), Scottish (14.0%), Irish (12.0%)
- Top job types: White collar (36.06%), Grey collar (37.38)%, Blue collar (34.69)%
