One of the trendiest yet still cozy neighbourhoods in Toronto is showing why it has become so hot lately, thanks to a community effort to keep the area sustainable in the future.
Leslieville, just west of The Beach and south of Riverdale, is one of Toronto's older neighbourhoods, but has recently become the cause celebre of the Toronto real estate market. And while that means a lot of young couples and families and the new energy they bring, what is to be done about a previously industrial area in Leslieville's south end has become a galvanizing force in the area.
One reason the vicinity has been so vibrant is its close proximity to the Toronto film district. Many major movies have been made at the studios in the area and the set designers have been blessed with many unique stores which dot Queen Street East, giving Leslieville its alluring flavour.
Recently, a huge swath of land between Eastern Avenue and the Lakeshore was sold to a group which includes Smart!Centres, a corporate conglomerate specializing in big retail.
Due to the company's ties with Wal-Mart, residents of Leslieville - as well their neighbours in The Beach and Riverdale - have united to ensure the development of the land is congruent with the current state of the area.
The City of Toronto has certain rules which govern how big a shopping complex can be, and Smart!Centres have come up against those ordinances. A decision against the corporation was appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board, which is currently mulling over the case.
Campaigns by the citizens of Leslieville have received an unprecedented amount of coverage in major newspapers such as the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail. Not surprising, since Leslieville's charms have been praised by those publications, as well as the National Post and even the New York Times in the past.
Residents are excited about how the Leslieville area is flourishing and creating new businesses or residences on the land Smart!Centres purchased could be very positive, as long as the right mixture - not Big Box stores, for example - is on the table.
Real estate values in Leslieville have been going up substantially for years now and show no signs of slowing down, in part because of the independent retailers who sell beautiful furniture, antiques and clothing, among others.
With a low density population, Leslieville is very attractive for first-time buyers, since the majority of the area is filled with detached or semi-detached homes.
As for the fight to keep Leslieville as a shining example of what a good, friendly neighbourhood can be, many prominent names have joined the cause to keep Smart!Centres in check. World-famous architects such as Daniel Liebeskind and Jack Diamond are on board with the citizens of Leslievile, as is former Toronto mayor David Crombie.
Current mayor David Miller is asking the province to declare interest in the matter, which would mean the infamously pro-development OMB would not have the final say. The 12-week hearing is to begin May 20, but check this website for updates on community meetings planned before then.
Nancy Wilson homes sell for more in less time and part of that success is due to the wonderful areas (such as The Beach, Leslieville and Riverdale) Nancy specializes in. With her intimate knowledge of these communities, Nancy is making sure she is in the know when it comes to development in the area and good planning decisions are part of that.
The residents of Leslieville have created a wonderful neighbourhood and their initiative to maintain that high standard is a positive for both those who already live there and those buyers in Toronto who want to move to Leslieville and share in that community spirit.
