When it comes to living in The Kingsway you’ll find a brilliant mix of specialty shops, fabulous restaurants, pubs and cafes, a preserved theatre, professional and medical services, and events throughout the year, it’s no wonder people flock to this area that brings families and the community together.
Bordering Mimico Creek on the west, Dundas Street West to the north, the Humber River on the east and Bloor Street to the south, Kingsway South is more commonly known as “The Kingsway.” Large, well-appointed stately homes on well-treed lots dominate the residential streets, while a vibrant Bloor St. strip boasts a great selection of pubs, restaurants and salons.
History:
Kingsway Park is situated on former Clergy Reserve lands that were deeded to the Church of England in the early 1800s. The church leased this property to farmers until 1908 when it was acquired by Robert Home Smith, the visionary who planned The Kingsway neighborhood.
Home Smith and Company began marketing this subdivision in 1912. However, the sale of homes in Kingsway Park was stalled by the outbreak of World War I, as well as inadequate transportation routes across the Humber River Valley. It wasn’t until 1924 when the Bloor Street bridge was built that the sale of houses in Kingsway Park began.
Many of the first Kingsway Park residents were Northern Ontario mining executives and Toronto businessman who were personally acquainted with Robert Home Smith and were encouraged by him to purchase houses here. Home Smith’s motto for Kingsway Park was “a little bit of England far from England”. His lofty ideal was to establish an English style garden suburb of the highest integrity and beauty. It is Robert Home Smith’s legacy that Kingsway Park endures today as one of Toronto’s finest neighborhoods.
Overview:
Built by the developer (and visionary) Robert Home Smith many of the homes in this neighborhood have incredible historical features. Stone exteriors, intricate brick patterns, decorative wrought-iron railings, and porch lamps, that were typical of the late 1800s. can be seen down these beautiful streets. The oldest homes in The Kingsway are found along Government Road where you can find Victorian and Edwardian architecture from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Home Smith decreed that no owner could build a house without the approval of his staff, and he developed strict regulations against the cutting of trees. Most of the homes were designed in the Arts and crafts style, which had become popular during that time. Smith insisted on the use of locally sourced materials for the houses in Kingsway Park, such as sandstone quarried from around the Humber River and Credit River areas.
This affluent residential neighborhood is located in the former City of Etobicoke, an area that became the west end of Toronto upon amalgamation in 1998. It is bounded by Bloor Street to the south, Dundas Street to the north, the Mimico Creek to the west, and the Humber River to the east. While the area was first known as “Kingsway Park”, popular usage drifted to The Kingsway, that being the name of the main road which winds through the heart of the area. Along with The Bridle Path and Forest Hill, The Kingsway is one of the most affluent areas in Toronto and homes are typically characterized by large stone mansions of English style.
Kingsway Park is the premier neighborhood in Toronto’s west end. This well-planned community was designed for families. The houses and properties are a good size, the streets are pedestrian-friendly, and the schools, shopping, churches, and recreation are all within walking distance.
KingswayPark is known for its idyllic setting, nestled in the forest of the Humber River Valley. Kingsway Park’s streets are lined with majestic oak and maple trees that provide the perfect backdrop for the stately homes that grace this neighborhood.
Homes:
Kingsway Park houses located between Kingsway Crescent and Royal York Road, and from Bloor Street north to Kings Garden Road were developed as part of a separate plan of subdivision called “Kingsway Park”. These houses were built between 1924 and 1947 and include some of the finest examples of Old English classical and vernacular architecture in Toronto.
Many houses in Kingway Park feature handsome stone exteriors, intricate tapestry brick patterns, and elaborate stucco and half-timbering designs. These homes also feature solid oak doors, leaded glass windows, fanciful bay and oriel windows, and decorative wrought iron railings and porch lamps.
Kingsway Park’s oldest houses are located along Government Road near Dundas Street. These homes were originally part of the Lampton community. (Ed. Note: Refer to Lampton neighborhood in this book). Here you will find some excellent examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture built during the latter half of the 1800s and the early 1900s. Mixed in with these older houses are contemporary bungalow designs from the 1940s and 1950s.
Lifestyle:
The Kingsway might not be a destination for those living in the downtown core, but that’s just fine with the locals of the neighborhood. Walking the main strip, you can find plenty of spots for delicious meals, cafes for fantastic coffee, watering holes & bars to satisfy any thirst on any night of the week, and plenty of things to do.
The gentrified Kingsway Village shopping district on Bloor Street West has an excellent mix of small specialty shops, chain stores, restaurants and professional and medical services. The village theme for this shopping district is a natural extension of the neighbourhood with park benches placed all along this route, and the use of black painted cast-iron street lamps. Even the garbage bins are framed in cast iron. The boulevard in the middle of this street is adorned with flag poles that proudly wave the Canadian flag alongside the Kingsway Village flag.
Dundas Street West at the north end of the Kingsway is a less dressed up version of the aforementioned Kingsway Village shopping district. Most of the shopping here is located in strip plazas and includes a number of home furnishing/design and landscaping shops. There are also some interesting hobby and craft stores, an antique store, and an art gallery. This street also features a rarity – a drive-through dry cleaner that offers in-car drop-off and pick-up service. The Kingsway Mills outdoor shopping plaza at 4242 Dundas Street West is a collection of small chain stores, specialty shops, and a fine food store.
Recreation:
The Etobicoke Memorial Pool and Health Club located at 44 Montgomery Road offers a myriad of aerobic and aqua fit programs for adults. Next door to the pool and health club is the Central Arena which offers public skating and organized ice and ball hockey leagues for children and adults.
Central Park located off Islington south of Dundas, is the home of the Etobicoke Lawn Bowling Club which includes two bowling greens. Central Park also has tennis courts and a large baseball diamond.
Home Smith Park accessed off Dundas Street follows the Humber River and is part of a 10 kilometre paved trail that links cyclists, in-line skaters, walkers, and joggers to the Martin Goodman Trail on Toronto’s waterfront.
The Brentwood Public Library at 36 Brentwood Road North offers Kingsway Park residents a variety of children’s and adult programming. The Kingsway movie theatre at 3030 Bloor Street West screens old and new films and offers membership privileges for a nominal annual fee.
Suitable for all ages and skill levels, Humber Valley Golf Course challenges golfers with its combination of links and valley lands. Players need to focus on precision, accuracy, and patience – especially on the last three holes. Humber Valley has a licensed restaurant and is located at Albion Road and Beattie Avenue.
Transportation:
Most Kingsway Park residents can walk to either the Royal York or Islington subway stations on Bloor Street. These stations are part of the Bloor-Danforth subway line. The Islington station is also a connecting route for the Mississauga Transit system as well as providing an express bus service to Pearson International airport. Motorists are approximately twenty minutes from downtown Toronto’s business and entertainment districts via either Bloor Street or Lakeshore Boulevard. The airport is approximately a ten-minute drive from Kingsway Park.
Schools, Colleges and Universities:
With many top schools located in this area, it’s obvious why The Kingsway is on many lists of dream neighborhoods to raise a family in. Childcare from the Montessori level all the way up to private schools can be found here and is consistently ranked among some of the best in schools in West Toronto. With a true community feel, it’s a place you can really live for 20+ years as your children grow up, all in the same neighborhood with friends close by, yet located close enough to Downtown Toronto that commuting for parents is a breeze.
PUBLIC SCHOOL
Address: 330 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto, ON M6H 3Y1, Canada | Telephone: 416 532-6592
“L’école secondaire Toronto Ouest continue de bâtir un milieu d’apprentissage franchement exemplaire. Ce milieu diversifié, inclusif et sécuritaire offre à ses élèves des programmes d’excellence en sciences, mathématiques, langues, études sociales et arts. De nombreux clubs et activités socioculturelles et sportives viennent agrémenter le quotidien de nos élèves, leur permettant de joindre l’utile à l’agréable. Fondés sur des valeurs d’excellence, d’engagement et de dépassement de soi, l’enseignement et l’encadrement offerts à nos élèves leur permettent « de voir un avenir à la hauteur de leur vision où les choix de carrières sont guidés par leurs passions et qui offre la possibilité et les ressources nécessaires à leur réalisation ».” As originally published by ÉS Toronto Ouest
Etobicoke Collegiate Institute
Address: 86 Montgomery Rd, Toronto, ON M9A, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-7840
“Etobicoke Collegiate Institute (ECI) was founded in 1928 on the principles of high academic standards. As a full service secondary school we strive to reach the needs of individual students to prepare them for post-secondary success. If you are motivated to excel in both your academic and personal achievements then our school community is for you! Renowned for our strong leadership programs, incoming students may choose to be part of our Leadership Development stream. As a moderately sized school of 1000 students, we are able to offer our students a wide array of courses, opportunities and activities both inside and outside the classroom.” As originally published by Etobicoke Collegiate Institute
Address: 50 Celestine Dr, Etobicoke, ON M9R 3N3, Canada | Telephone: 647-438-9139
“C’est un grand honneur pour le personnel de l’école de recevoir 288 élèves, représentant la diversité francophone. Nous sommes fiers de leur offrir un environnement chaleureux où il fait bon apprendre. Chaque élève avec ses propres besoins et intérêts, trouvera les moyens de toujours apprendre et d’assouvir sa curiosité et son questionnement. La technologie est là pour l’appuyer dans son cheminement. L’amélioration du rendement de l’élève et le maintien de son bien-être sont les axes forts du plan d’amélioration de l’école Félix Leclerc.” As originally published by É Élém Félix-Leclerc
Address: 55 Pelham Ave, Toronto, ON M6N 1A5, Canada | Telephone: (416) 651-4630
“La communauté de Charles-Sauriol est accompagnée par un personnel enseignant dynamique et dévoué ainsi que des parents très impliqués et prêts à soutenir le développement des enfants. Une étroite collaboration entre le milieu scolaire, la famille et la communauté est essentielle à la réussite de tous les élèves. Le personnel de l’école a à cœur le bien-être de tous les élèves. La différentiation pédagogique, les projets touchant divers intérêts, l’enfance en difficulté, le programme d’Actualisation linguistique du français (ALF) et le programme d’aide pour les nouveaux arrivants (PANA) sont le pivot de l’enseignement à l’école Charles-Sauriol.” As originally published by É Élém Charles-Sauriol
Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School
Address: 525 Prince Edward Dr N, Etobicoke, ON M8X 2M6, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-7890
“Lambton-Kingsway has enjoyed a long-standing tradition of community involvement and educational excellence. The newly constructed building (1993) is the fourth school to be located in this community since the village of Lambton was founded. Dating back to 1845, Lambton Mills Public School was Etobicoke’s first two-room school. By 1875 a one-room, red-brick school was built at the corner of Lambton Road (now Prince Edward Drive) and Government Road. Increasing enrolment resulted in the construction of a four-room school adjacent to the old school in 1916. The new Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School opened its doors to 551 enthusiastic learners on January 4, 1993.” As originally published by Lambton-Kingsway Junior Middle School
Address: 14 St Marks Rd, York, ON M6S 2H7, Canada | Telephone: (416) 394-2370
“Humbercrest Public School is located in the Jane/Dundas/Annette area and was established in 1915. We are a STEM-focused, dual track school offering both our regular English and French Immersion programmes from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Our students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 live in the immediate area. Students from King George and Warren Park join us for Grade 7 and 8. Presently we serve a student population of approximately 740 JK to Gr. 8 students. We believe a strong partnership between school and home is a key to providing our students with the best environment to achieve success.” As originally published by Humbercrest Public School
CATHOLIC AND PRIVATE
ÉÉC Sainte-Marguerite-d’Youville
Address: 755 Royal York Rd, Etobicoke, ON M8Y 2T3, Canada
“L’ÉÉC Sainte-Marguerite-d’Youville offre un environnement d’apprentissage stimulant par le biais d’une équipe dynamique et engagée. Située au coeur d’un joli quartier résidentiel, elle accueille 565 élèves, 24 classes en tout de la maternelle à la 6e année, en plus de 2 classes au tout nouveau pavillon Richview qui a ouvert ses portes en septembre 2013.“ As originally published by ÉÉC Sainte-Marguerite-d’Youville
Address: 330 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto, ON M6H 3Y1, Canada
“L’école secondaire Saint-Frère-André est une école accueillant les élèves de la 7e à la 12e année. Notre but premier en tant qu’établissement d’éducation est avant tout l’apprentissage et le développement de votre enfant dans un milieu francophone catholique stimulant. En vue d’offrir un enseignement de qualité et un choix intéressant d’options à nos élèves, nous offrons toute une panoplie d’activités parascolaires, ainsi que des programmes d’enseignement. «Offrir à l’élève une éducation de qualité dans un milieu de vie catholique et francophone où le respect de la personne, le sens d’appartenance à la collectivité franco-ontarienne, la promotion de l’excellence et enfin l’équité sont des valeurs visibles et essentielles à son épanouissement ». C’est non seulement la mission du conseil scolaire mais aussi celle des enseignants.” As originally published by ÉSC Saint-Frère-André
Josyf Cardinal Slipyj Catholic School
Address: 35 W Deane Park Dr, Etobicoke, ON M9B 2R5, Canada | Telephone: 416-393-5413 | Fax: 416-397-6044
“Through a balanced curriculum based on sound academics, the arts and co-curricular activities Josyf Cardinal Slipyj Catholic School operates under the direction of the Toronto Catholic District School Board. In a Catholic environment enriched by our Eastern Rite traditions, a wide variety of programs and opportunities meet the diversified needs of our student population.” As originally published by Josyf Cardinal Slipyj Catholic School
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