When you ask the average Torontonian to call to mind images of Bloor Street, they’ll probably focus their attention east of Dufferin. They might wax poetic about the good old days in the Annex when artists and poets ran the show. Or, they might recount a wild night spent at karaoke in Koreatown, or a quiet afternoon ambling through the ROM.
But if you head west just a little – away from the high-octane energy of central Bloor – you find one of Toronto’s hidden gems. Nestled in an advantageous corner of the city between parks, rivers and other neighbourhood hotspots, you’ll encounter Bloor West Village.
At first blush, on a city map, Bloor West Village looks like many other of the city’s commercial and residential agglomerations – some storefronts, a few eateries and a collection of pretty character houses. But peel back the layers, and Bloor West Village reveals itself as one of Toronto’s hottest hidden gems.
At Harvey Kalles, it’s our mission to help you find your perfect neighbourhood in Toronto.
Bloor West Village at a Glance: Its History and Influences
Bloor West Village can trace its history back to the 1850s when a prominent military colonel named William Smith Durie developed swaths of land for his private estate. But, the neighbourhood as we know it didn’t begin to take shape until the 1960s. During this time, the Toronto subway was burrowing its way through Bloor Street, and residents were worried that the reduction in foot traffic and streetcar traffic would harm businesses along the strip.
So, it made history. Toronto’s Bloor West Village is the first area in the world to create a “Business Improvement Area” (or Business Improvement District, as it’s now commonly known). Local business owners and residents banded together to create a levy-funded hotspot of thriving businesses, complete with clean streets, ample amenities, streetscape enhancements and capital improvements.
The plan worked, and to this day, Bloor West Village remains an idyllic strip of Toronto history.
Bloor West Means Business: Enduring Standbys and Hip Newcomers
Bloor West Village is home to roughly 400 businesses – bars, coffee shops, eateries, retail stores and more. For that reason, its residential area, concentrated mainly on the north side, is one of the best neighbourhoods for young professionals who prefer the (modest) hustle and bustle of a village. (Plus, it’s conveniently located on the subway line).
A decade or two ago, those businesses were mostly long-established standbys. You had reliable Eastern European cafes like Janchenko’s, Polish butchers like Kingsway, old-school pubs like Byrden’s, and countless mom-and-pop retail stores that hadn’t changed their storefronts since the Leafs last won the Stanley Cup.
Those Bloor West Village shops are still standing… it’s part of what makes the neighbourhood so special. But now, the area has welcomed a new crop of businesses. The Insta-famous iHalo Crunch ice cream parlour has a shiny new location here, as does the ultra-popular BBQ restaurant Beachhill Smoke House. There are wine bars like Cellar and Smoke, hip wine/coffee/pizza mashups like Halcyon Café, and trendy ateliers like Buck Hard Goods. There are spas, bike shops, florists, jewellers, salons, fish mongers…and the list goes on. And, of course, there’s Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., located at 2316 Bloor Street West. If you can dream it up, chances are you can find it in Bloor West Village.
At a Crossroads: Why BWV’s Position Makes It a Gem Among Toronto Neighbourhoods
Proximity to a diverse range of business – check. But what about the neighbourhood’s location near schools, parks, amenities, libraries, etc.? No need to worry.
First, Bloor West Village is well located at the crossroads of several must-experience Toronto spots. A hop, skip and jump east, and you’ll land at High Park, which sits right at BWV’s doorstep. Head a subway stop west to enjoy the historic Old Mill area, Humber River and Humber marshes. And if you walk north for 10 or 15 minutes, you’ll find the Junction, which boasts its own set of trendy businesses and exciting nightlife.
The schools near Bloor West Village are some of the finest in the city, as we mentioned in our roundup of the best Toronto neighbourhoods for schools (see the link). The area is serviced by two well-reviewed libraries, numerous clinics and specialists, an LCBO, and grocery stores, both big and small. It’s the total package.
What’s Going on? How to Enjoy This Unique Corner of Toronto
Perhaps the best way to enjoy Bloor West Village is to live here. If you’re moving to Toronto and looking for the complete TO experience in a not-too-rowdy package, consider Bloor West Village. And if you’re a resident Torontonian eager to start a family somewhere amenable and clean, yet exciting and bold, contact the best Toronto realtors to search for your new home in BWV.
But even non-residents can get in on the fun. In July, the neighbourhood hosts Bloor West StreetFest, an exciting mix of music, food and activities. Every September, you can also enjoy the Ukrainian Festival, a celebration of one of BWV’s most prominent cultural presences. Traditionally, the neighbourhood has also hosted the “Toronto West Halloween Fest.” The festival has been on pause for the last couple of years (with no official reason released, although one can assume it was for “pandemic reasons”). Still, the neighbourhood keeps the spirit alive, as residents go above and beyond with the spooky decorations and scintillating displays.
Beyond a good Bloor West festival, we encourage you to just walk around here. Enjoy a drink on one of the patios. Grab food from a Polish deli for a picnic at High Park. Shop the small Bloor West Village stores dotting the main strip. Make the neighbourhood your home for a day.
If you like what you see, give our skilled agents a shout. We’re passionate about all things Toronto, and would be happy to take you on a tour of home viewings in Bloor West Village. There are some truly special properties in this tucked-away corner of the city.
