Yorkville, Toronto

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Bloor Street

Yorkville is one of Toronto, Ontario, Canada's most affluent neighbourhoods. It is roughly bounded by Bloor Street to the south, Davenport Road to the north, Church Street to the east and Avenue Road to the west.[1]

1 History
2 Modern
3 Shopping Centres
4 Hotels
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] History

Founded by entrepreneur Joseph Bloor (after whom Bloor Street, one of Toronto's main thoroughfares, is named) in 1830, the Village of Yorkville began as a residential suburb characterized by Victorian-style homes, quiet residential streets, and picturesque gardens. It was later annexed by the City of Toronto.

In the 1960s, Yorkville flourished as Toronto's bohemian cultural centre, and was considered by some to be the breeding grounds for some of Canada's most noted musical talents, including Joni Mitchell and Neil Young.

At that time, Yorkville was also known as the Canadian capital of the hippie movement. In 1968, nearby Rochdale College at the University of Toronto was opened on Bloor Street as an experiment in counterculture education.

[edit] Modern

In the 1980s and the '90s, steady gentrification of Yorkville resulted in its current distinctive mix of high-end retail, including many art galleries, fashion boutiques and antique stores, and popular bars, cafes and eateries along Cumberland Street and Yorkville Avenue.

Today, some of the city's most exclusive retail stores line its streets: Prada, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Holt Renfrew, Harry Rosen, Lacoste, and many more upscale designer labels can all be found here.

Rents on the upscale Bloor Street West between Yonge Street and Avenue Road has doubled in 4 years, ranking as the 22nd most expensive retail location in the world in 2006, up two sports from 2005. Nationally, Vancouver's upscale Robson Street tied with Bloor Street West as the most expensive street in Canada, with an annual average rental price of $208 per square foot. Only four years ago, rents on Bloor Street were almost half that price at $110 per square foot. 1

In recent years, mid-market retailers have also begun to locate along the strip. In 2005 Winners and La Senza opened stores in prime locations on the strip.

Yorkville is known for upscale shopping, restaurants, and the first five star hotel in Canada. And historically has been an excellent place for celebspotting especially in the Hazelton Lanes shopping complex. Since this became known, the celebrities once seen during the Toronto International Film Festival have gone elsewhere with them most often seen in the entertainment district bars and after-hour clubs near the CITY-TV building.