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Lytton Park

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You don’t know what you’re missing if you haven’t lived in Lytton Park! An upscale and classy neighbourhood nestled between the affluent neighbourhoods of Lawrence Park, Yonge Street, Briar Hill Avenue, and Mona Drive, this upscale neighbourhood is home to bankers, lawyers, doctors, and corporate executives who are attracted to its tranquillity, diversity, and excellent amenities.

Lytton Park
Lytton Park Home

History

Initially a 200-acre farm belonging to a United Empire Loyalist, Lytton Park was formerly known as Lot 3 Concession 1 West of Yonge Street. The first house built on the street was constructed in 1828 by the Snider family, which although styled as a Regency cottage, has morphed over the years into the Georgian style we see presently. Today, this building represents a historic landmark and is one of the oldest private residences in Toronto.

Adding further to the majesty and charisma of the area, its rich historical past also encompasses a castle and horse racing track. Glen Castle, often also known as Ainsley Castle, historically sat on the hill where Glen Castle Street now is. Created in 1887, the race track was a staple feature of this neighbourhood and was situated within Glengrove Avenue and Yonge Street until its closure in 1889.

Developing from humble beginnings, Lytton Park started off as a rural suburban neighbourhood, which was serviced by the Metropolitan Street Railway of Toronto in 1886. Realizing the market potential and potential for increased land value that the area harnessed due to the installation of a railway, the railway company decided to purchase a huge amount of farmland near their railway station located on Glengrove Avenue.

Their predictions did not fail. Fast forward two centuries, and this lavish neighbourhood is bustling with gorgeous homes, shops, schools, and parks!

Architecture

Built between 1890 and 1930, much of Lytton Park’s housing architecture conveys Tudor and Georgian style detached housing, with the majority of the houses offering a healthy sized garage. What adds to the magical and picturesque scenery and embodies the neighbourhood are the fresh, healthy, and manicured gardens and tree canopies that warmly hug the neighbourhood and feature heavily in the street.

Toronto Park by Svetlana Grechkina
Toronto Park by Svetlana Grechkina

Recreational Activities

Known for its serenity and leafy, vast landscape, Lytton Park provides the finest parks and recreational spaces with ample room for activities to suit all. Named after the street, Lytton Park is home to three tennis courts and the famous North Toronto Bowling Lawn and Croquet club situated east of Avenue Road, south of Lawrence Ave.

Among the most noteworthy and frequented destinations is the Herbert Begg memorial garden, situated across from Lytton Park. Donated to the City of Toronto by the Herbert Begg daughters in memorial of their father, the garden provides a huge strolling path and breathtaking views. Further parks include Otter Creek Park, found on Rosewell Avenue, which hosts an outdoor skating rink in the winter and a converted skateboarding course during the summer.

Lytton Park Tennis Camp
Lytton Park Tennis Camp

Tennis Camp — Want a spot of Tennis? Be the next Pete Sampras or Steffi Graf…

Not only does this neighbourhood offer a lavish nesting place for the family, but also diverse activities to keep the kids occupied and healthy. Among the most activities is the Lytton Tennis Camp, which offers a catered spring or summer lesson program for ages 4 to 16. With emphasis on court etiquette and enthusiastic instructors, this excellent program will be a hit with the kids.

Schools

One of the biggest charms of this neighbourhood is its proximity to several of the most excellent public schools this city has to offer!

  • John Ross Robertson Public School Situated 130 Glencairn Ave. West, it’s perhaps not only one of the most prestigious schools in the area but also provides a landmark for the neighbourhood. With families moving into the area during the 1900s led to the creation of the school in 1921. Today, it’s a well established elementary school that boasts a rich curriculum.
  • Glenview Public School – 401 Rosewell Ave. www.schools.tdsb.on.ca/glenview. Opened in 1966, the school is known as a a triple-track school (English, French Immersion, Extended French) and offers an array of stimulating and rich programs ranging from music, technology, and character education. Interestingly, the school is in close cooperation with the junior feeder and local secondary schools to offer a smooth transition for students in grades 6 to 7 and 8 to 9.
  • Lawrence Park Collegiate Public School– 125 Chatsworth Dr. www.lawrenceparkci.ca. A high school with an emphasis on academics, drama, music, and visual arts, with a strong French extended and immersion streams. The Music Program in Lawrence Park is amongst the finest in the city and is home to the first band and orchestral program. Held in the same high regards is the drama department, which has seen the school represented in competitions such as the Sears festival competitions, main stage productions and United Artist for a cause.
  • Harvegal College Girls School – This is an independent day and boarding girl’s school from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. Featuring renowned alumni like Teresa Lee and the 1952 novelist Claire Wheeler Mowat. Founded in 1894 by the Honourable H. Blake, the school is named after the English hymn composer and author Frances Ridley Havergal. Not only catering to the academic, the school offers a fascinating array of sporting and extra-curricular facilities such as a pool and fitness centre, music studios, and a theatre.
    St Clements School Toronto by Wikimedia Commons
    St Clements School Toronto by Wikimedia Commons
  • St. Clement’s School A private girl’s catholic school founded in 1909 that enrolls students from grades 1 to 12. The school builds women of character by encouraging and promoting academic excellence, character building, and independent thinking.

Shopping and Eateries

Shopping in Lytton Park is only made easy due to the fact that it can be done in more than one of the most popular shopping districts. Sitting on Eglinton Avenue West, Yonge Street, and Avenue Road are all the luxurious and high-end eateries, stores, and professional services. The shopping delight offers a mix of small, independent boutiques to international shopping like The Gap to the much-frequented national yoga store Lululemon.

Restaurants

Working up a sweat shopping means that indulgence is allowed!

Pustaris fine foods
Pustaris Fine Foods

Living and shopping in Lytton Park, means that you are not far from exquisite fine eateries. From mouth-watering Asian dishes to western delights, you’re in for a treat. Pustaris Fine Foods on Avenue Road has been offering the finest high-quality fresh foods and catering services for more than 25 years. http://pusateris.com.

One of the most popular and frequented restaurants is Jade Springs Restaurant, situated a few miles North of Lytton and the Trans Canada Highway, a stone’s throw away from the centre.

Transit

Younge Subway Line by Sean Connors
Younge Subway Line by Sean Connors

The excellent transit links and centrality of Lytton Park are what attracts potential residents to this neighbourhood! Offering a very accessible and convenient way of getting in and out of the area, the Yonge Subway line is within access for Lytton Park residents who can opt for a short walk or a bus ride to the station. For motorists, downtown Toronto is a 15-minute drive. Taking you out of the city is the infamous Highway 401, which is a 5-minute drive from Lytton Park and takes you through Avenue Road or Yonge Street.

Interested in living in the neighbourhood? Browse the MLS Listings for the perfect house or condominium available in this area.

Lytton Park streets
Lytton Park map
Lytton Park satellite
Lytton Park satellite view