Nestled near Eglinton Avenue East and Bayview Avenue, Leaside is an upscale midtown neighbourhood home to stunning properties and some of Toronto’s most prominent residents. Initially designed to mirror the prestigious elegance of Rosedale, Leaside blends functional livability with an atmosphere of serenity and sophistication.

Today, a growing number of luxury home buyers have their eyes set on the neighbourhood. Despite the area’s heightened popularity, Leaside retains its refined upscale ambience and reputation.

Here are the top 5 reasons we believe Leaside is set to be Toronto’s preeminent luxury real estate micro-market. 

Curious about life in one of midtown Toronto’s most sought-after neighbourhoods? Read our in-depth Leaside community guide here. 

1. Elevated Family Living 

Among central Toronto’s upscale neighbourhoods, Leaside’s private streets, tranquil atmosphere, lush green spaces and abundant community amenities, make it a uniquely desirable location for raising a family. The neighbourhood is home to several reputable public schools. Northlea Elementary and Middle School in North Leaside, Rolph Road Elementary School and Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School in South Leaside, and Leaside High School all cater to a range of grades and age groups across Leaside. St. Anselm Catholic School offers faith-oriented programs for grades JK-8.

In addition to public education, Leaside’s proximity to some of Toronto’s most elite private schools such as Upper Canada College, Branksome Hall, Bishop Strachan School, Toronto French School, Havergal College and Greenwood College School create ample opportunities for elevated learning. 

2. Natural Immersion

As Leaside is almost entirely surrounded by parks and green spaces, venturing away from the urban landscape and enjoying the outdoors is both easy and rewarding. To the north, the stunning and expansive Serena Gundy Park features kilometres of lush, riverside trails for walking and cycling. The park is also home to one of Toronto’s few naturally-occurring waterfalls, which has become a popular spot for photographers. 

To the south, the Lower Don Parklands open into a seemingly endless green space, stretching across a substantial portion of the Don River Valley. In addition to countless nature trails, the river valley is home to several of Toronto’s most prominent historical and natural landmarks including Evergreen Brick Works, Crothers Woods, Todmorden Mills Heritage Site, and Governor’s Bridge Lookout.  

Within Leaside’s boundaries, Howard Talbot Park offers an array of sports facilities including multiple ball diamonds and tennis courts, an outdoor running track and a lawn bowling green. During the warmer months, the park’s splash pad is a popular destination for the community’s youngest residents to cool down. 

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Interested in learning about similar communities? Explore some of our Neighbourhood Guides. 

• Rosedale: Toronto’s Elegant Enclave
• The Annex: A Charming Blend of Historic and Eclectic 
• Scenic and Upscale Forest Hill North

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3. Exceptional Boutique Shopping

Local residents’ appreciation for the finer things is reflected in the neighbourhood’s business landscape. Along Bayview Avenue, an array of modern boutiques, up-market grocers, and options for fine dining cater to Leaside’s distinguished residents. Cumbrae’s and De La Mer are popular staples for shopping ethically-sourced meat and fish. 

Leaside is also celebrated for its unique volume of antique shops. Elegantly-curated retailers such as Bernardi’s Antiques, Decorative Decorum, Good Bones Antiques, and Alexandre Prints & Maps have made the neighbourhood a favoured destination for antiquers. 

4. Stunning Properties 

While age and architectural styles may vary, Leaside features an abundance of desirable homes. Detached, semi-detached, and expansive, larger detached homes serve as the community’s most common housing types. Along Leaside’s tree-lined streets, spacious Tudor-style cottages, charming Edwardian-inspired architecture, and stunning custom-built modern properties lend to the area’s atmosphere of elegance. 

The opulence of Leaside’s homes often extends well beyond the front door. Deep private driveways, professionally-manicured yards, accent landscaping and swimming pools are all common outdoor features in the area. 

As a greater volume of buyers discover Leaside, home prices are rising steadily to reflect the increased demand. In August 2022, the average home price in Leaside increased by $125,000 compared to just one month earlier, a swell of nearly 12%. Compared to August of 2021, prices have risen a notable 27%. In today’s market, detached homes in Leaside average north of $2,000,000.*

5. A Bright Future

With an array of new developments arriving in the area, Leaside’s future is exceptionally bright. 

Amenity-rich and design-led, Leaside Common is a luxury condominium currently in development at the corner of Bayview and Eglinton Avenues. Immaculately designed by BDP Quadrangle, Leaside Common is set to stand 9 storeys tall and hold just shy of 200 suites. Floor plans range from space-efficient studios to stunning and spacious penthouse units. 

Similar to Leaside Common, 1414 Bayview is a carefully-designed, 44-residence luxury property inspired by Leaside’s distinguished reputation. Developed by Gairloch, 1414 Bayview introduces modern elegance to the historic neighbourhood. The European-inspired suites range in size and design and start at $1,298,000. 

In addition to welcoming breathtaking residential developments, Leaside is set to be well-served by the long-awaited Eglinton Crosstown LRT, which will offer elevated access to virtually every corner of the city, either through direct service or local transit connections. 

Armin Group’s Leaside Expertise

As esteemed leaders in the realm of luxury Toronto real estate, Armin Group are distinguished veterans of Leaside’s vibrant micro-market. In our years of experience buying and selling homes in Leaside, we have developed unmatched market familiarity. 

Explore our recent record of selling excellence in Leaside below. 

• 9 Divadale Drive – Sold 27% above asking price. 
• 27 Donegall Drive – Sold off-market in less than a week with an exceptional result. 
• 53 Cameron Crescent – Sold 26% above asking price. 

Alongside our vast and continuously expanding knowledge of local luxury markets, Armin Group’s strategic selling process creates exceptional home sales and seamless client experiences. 

Ready to search for available properties in Leaside? Explore our exemplary listings here.

*Source: Toronto Star