Real Estate and Neighbourhood:
For current listings in and around the Liberty Village area; Click here.
Boundaries:
Dufferin Street to the West, Strachan Ave to the East, King St. West to the north and the Gardiner Expressway to the south, see google map for a visual representation.
Neighbourhood History:
In the 1850’s the Liberty Village area was a mix of industrial use, reform prisons and munitions factories. Over time, the prisons were shut down by the city and province and the industrial businesses also moved out leaving this vast area of Toronto’s downtown vacant until the 1980’s. Cheaper rents made the locality attractive to artists who began moving into the industrial buildings and setting up live/work spaces. Since then the city of Toronto has allowed developers to intensely populate this area with high, mid and low-rise condominium apartments, as well as many hard loft conversions of the older industrial buildings. It’s probably not an exaggeration to say that Liberty Village is one of, if not the fastest growing populace areas downtown over recent years. City place could possibly top it, nonetheless, very strong intensification in this neighbourhood has made it very attractive for many first time buyers in Toronto and businesses to move in.
As well as the high to lower rise condominiums apartments and Loft units in Liberty Village, many townhomes have been developed in the eastern section of Liberty Village. Also live / work soft lofts are an attractive option for buyers today, for instance, the Liberty Market Lofts at 171 East Liberty Street.
Who’s Buying in Liberty Village:
The largest demographic purchasing in Liberty Village is either the younger professional(s), first time buyers or investment buyer hoping to either capatilise on Toronto’s raging condominium market during the first decade of 2000. Live / work options are attractive to artists also.
To a smaller degree there are retiree purchasers who are downsizing and who wish to avail of what downtown Toronto has to offer and also in cases remain close to their children as they begin having families, therefore nearing grandparent status! Babysitting services to be rendered!
Parks and Recreation:
Within Liberty village itself, not much in the way of parks and it’s unfortunate that with all the development that some parks were not enforced by the city’s planning department. However, Liberty Village’s central location has access to some of the Toronto’s nicest parks such as Trinity Bellwoods Park just north at Queen St. West and Strachan Avenue. There is no shortage of things to do and see at the park, a farmers market, natural theatre grounds, sports facilities, many playground facilities for young kids and a community centre. Also there is a green house and space focused on donating its own produce to FOOD SHARE.
Just south on Strachan or Dufferin are the National Exhibition’s grounds and just south of here is access to the waterfront and all it’s parks and pathways for cycling and walking along the waterfront. You’ll find off leash dog parks in many of the parks, such as Little Norway park or Coronation Park.
Head east along the Queens Quay and you’ll find the Toronto Music Garden, the HTO Parks and the Harbourfront centre which has fun events all year round, especially in the Summer with outdoor free concerts every week.
Transportation:
The 504 King St. Streetcar runs from the East end Broadview Subway Station through the downtown’s financial district and along Kings Street West all the way to the Dundas Street West Subway Station.
The 63 Ossington Buss runs south on Ossington and then south on Strachan Ave and enters the Liberty Village at it’s east end entrance and runs through it’s main street, East Liberty Street.
The 29 Dufferin Bus travels north south along Dufferin Street.
Shopping and Restaurants:
Ideally located just west of the core on King St. West, one is minutes from the trendy shops of Queen St. West and the sophisticated restaurants on King West.
Liberty Village is also self-sustaining with many restaurants, cafes, a Metro and an LCBO to name a few. Use the www.walkscore.com amenity map below to explore all Liberty Village and surrounding areas have to offer.
If you are considering opening a business or simply want to review the business directory in the area the Liberty Village Business Improvement Association is a very proactive community with it’s finger on the pulse of all business goings on.
Price Ranges for Homes in the Liberty Village Neighbourhood:
TOWNHOUSES $280,000 - $650,000
CONDOMINIUMS $220,000 - $650,000
For more listings in and around the Liberty Village area; Click here.
Schools in Liberty Village and neighbouring areas: