South Riverdale, Toronto real estate

Living in Leslieville and South Riverdale

South Riverdale sits just east of the Don River, running from the river and the Don Valley Parkway east toward Coxwell Avenue, and from roughly Gerrard Street and the rail corridor south to the lake and the Port Lands. Leslieville is the best-known part of it: the stretch around Queen Street East from about McGee Street east to Coxwell, between Gerrard Street and the rail corridor to the north and Eastern Avenue to the south. Riverside, closer to the Don, is the other name you'll hear along Queen near Broadview.

Leslieville began as a village in the 1850s, built up around the Toronto Nurseries owned by George Leslie and his sons. Many early residents worked as market gardeners or in local brickyards, and for much of the 20th century the area was a working district of tanneries, foundries and factories. As industry closed, many of those buildings became lofts and offices, and film and television studios moved onto former industrial land nearby.

Today the area feels like a set of small villages strung along Queen and Gerrard: tree-lined side streets of brick houses, a busy main street of independent cafés and shops, and a strong neighbourhood identity. The housing stock is mostly modest Victorian and Edwardian row houses and semis, workers' cottages, converted lofts, and a growing number of mid-rise condos on the main streets.

Getting around

• Streetcars: the 501 Queen runs along Queen Street East to downtown, the 506 Carlton runs along Gerrard, and the 505 Dundas serves the northern edge.
• Subway: Line 2 Bloor-Danforth stations along Danforth (Broadview, Chester, Pape, Donlands, Greenwood and Coxwell) are a bus or short streetcar ride north.
• Ontario Line (under construction, opening expected early 2030s): it will run along the GO rail corridor through the neighbourhood, with stations at Gerrard (Gerrard and Carlaw), Leslieville (Queen Street East just east of De Grassi) and a transit hub at East Harbour connecting to GO trains.
• Driving: the Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard are all close by.
• Cycling: the Lower Don Trail and the Martin Goodman Trail along the waterfront make the bike commute downtown popular.

Parks and things to do

• Jimmie Simpson Park and Recreation Centre on Queen East, with fields, a pool and a rink.
• Greenwood Park, with a dog area, outdoor pool and rink, and Leslie Grove on Queen at Jones.
• Riverdale Park East is just to the north, with wide views of the downtown skyline from the hill.
• Tommy Thompson Park (the Leslie Street Spit) at the foot of Leslie Street, a long urban wilderness popular with birders and cyclists, and Ashbridge's Bay and Woodbine Beach to the east.
• Queen Street East for cafés, brunch spots and independent shops, and Gerrard Street East, home to the Gerrard India Bazaar and, near Broadview, Toronto's East Chinatown.

Homes you'll find here

Most freehold homes are row houses, semis and narrow detached houses on small, shallow lots, many built before 1920. Expect tight side yards, older basements with low ceilings that are often lowered or underpinned during renovations, and some homes with rear lane access. Converted factory lofts are a Leslieville signature, especially around Carlaw Avenue, and newer mid-rise condos keep rising along Queen, Eastern and Carlaw. Toronto now permits laneway suites, garden suites and up to four units on most residential lots, which makes larger and lane-access lots especially interesting.

Who it suits

• Downtown commuters who want a short streetcar, bike or drive into the core.
• Young families looking for a walkable main street, parks and pools within a few blocks.
• Investors watching the Ontario Line and East Harbour, which are expected to bring major change to the area.

Good to know before you buy

• Ontario Line construction: building the Gerrard and Leslieville stations involves years of work along the rail corridor, with lane closures, temporary streetcar diversions and replacement buses.
• Former industrial land: parts of South Riverdale have a history of heavy industry. Near former factory sites, ask about environmental reports.
• Flood mapping near the Don: lands near the Lower Don have historically been flood-prone. The Port Lands Flood Protection project was designed to reduce that risk, but check current Toronto and Region Conservation Authority mapping for any specific address.
• Parking: many streets are narrow with no driveways, and on-street permit parking is common. Confirm what parking a home legally has.
• Heritage listings: some buildings along Queen Street East are on the City's heritage register, which can affect exterior changes. Check the register before planning an addition.

Thinking about buying or selling in Leslieville and South Riverdale? Talk to Mehran for a free, no-pressure conversation.

Neighbourhood guide by Mehran Salehian, Sales Representative.