Crosby, Richmond Hill Neighbourhood Guide: Architectural Diversity

Bordered on the north by Elgin Mills Road, on the south by Major Mackenzie Drive, on the west by Yonge Street, and on the east by Bayview Avenue, the Crosby neighbourhood is part of Richmond Hill’s downtown core along Yonge Street.

Crosby residents enjoy many benefits living in the middle of downtown Richmond Hill. Nearby amenities include a variety of shops and restaurants along Yonge Street. There are also the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, Richmond Hill Central Public Library, and the Elgin Barrow Arena complex. There are multiple schools in the area, and various parks provide a range of recreational activities for resident families, including one of the largest playground structures in Ontario.

Neighbourhood topographical landmarks include the Rouge River and the railway, as well as a green corridor of connecting parks that traverse the centre of this community. A light industrial corridor also runs off Crosby Avenue on the approach to Yonge Street.

Crosby is comprised of enclaves of homes built at different times spanning over 100 years. In the north end of the neighbourhood, the houses date back to the late 1800s, but in the south end of the city, you’ll find newer homes built from the 1950s and onward. In the south end, the lots are bigger, but the setting is just as pretty as the north end’s.

The neighbourhood is named after Parker Crosby, who emigrated to Canada in 1844 from Cumberland, England, and opened a dry goods store on Yonge and Richmond Streets. After the first store was destroyed in a fire in 1866, the resilient Crosby rebuilt his business in a fire-resistant dwelling and renamed it "The Fire Proof."

In 1863, Parker and Mary Crosby built their home Crosby Hall at 38 Bedford Park Avenue just south of the present-day Crosby Avenue. This Victorian, Ontario farmhouse was distinguished by a large central cupola that was a Richmond Hill landmark.

Some houses in Crosby can be found donning historical plaques, while older streets have signage that proclaims the history of the Village of Richmond Hill established in 1873.

Made up of many different styles of homes from over the last 100 years, the oldest parts of Crosby date back to the 1800s when Richmond Hill was a village.

The community of Crosby features homes that are generally mature and include semi-detached and detached two-storey homes, bungalows, and the occasional rebuild. Many are large and flush in mature trees and bushes.

Roughly one-third of dwellings are detached homes, whereas the remainder is mainly large apartment buildings, duplexes, and townhouses. Fanning out from Centre Street, there are random pockets of bungalows, ranch-style homes, and infill two-storey, detached homes that would have been built mostly in the 1950s and ’60s.

Located in the heart of the historic downtown on Yonge Street at Wright Avenue, you can pay a visit to the landmark Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (RHCP). This beautiful 4,000-square-metre, 631-seat cultural facility offers a full season of professional entertainment celebrating the many cultures of the York Region. The centre is also home to Richmond Hill’s diverse arts community, creating a major venue in the downtown core to bring Canadian and international performers to the area.

To learn more about Richmond Hill’s history, the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre is located within Crosby at 19 Church Street North in a restored 1940s Regency-style cottage. Here you will find workshops, programs, and exhibits full of interesting historical items.

Perhaps the best part of Crosby is the shopping, with Richmond Hill’s primary shopping, entertainment, and business district along Yonge Street north of Major Mackenzie Drive. An interesting mix of professional services, restaurants, and shops are sure to have something for everyone.

There are no malls within the neighbourhood, but there are three within a 15-kilometre drive: Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill, Centerpoint Mall in Toronto, and the Promenade shopping centre in Thornhill.

For good eats in Crosby, there are numerous restaurants along Yonge Street. Rhapsody Continental features authentic Hungarian food while Naeb offers delicious plates from Instanbul. Head to Citro for tasty Italian or grab a drink at Diyako, a popular café and hookah bar.

Crosby Park, Richmond Hill’s first fully accessible park, is at the corner of Newkirk Road and Crosby Avenue. It features a playground, water play area, and Sensory Garden with a variety of annuals, herbs, perennials, and grasses. There are walking trails, birdwatching, plus artwork and birdhouses on display in the park.

Town Park off Church Street has a large baseball diamond, tennis courts, lawn bowling, and a children’s playground.

As for recreation, Crosby Park is also the home of the Richmond Hill Lawn Tennis Club, with six hard courts and a clubhouse. Centennial Pool is adjacent to Crosby Park and is a beautiful indoor swimming pool with six lanes.

For the golfing enthusiast who lives in Crosby, there are several courses in the area. Eagles Nest Golf Club is located at Major Mackenzie Drive West and Dufferin Street and has a full 18-hole course. Maple Downs Golf & Country Club (north of Teston Road) is just north of here and is also an 18-hole course. If residents drive north on Yonge Street, they will find Summit Golf & Country Club close to 19th Avenue, and along Bathurst Street is Bathurst Glen Golf Course.

As for recreation, Crosby Park is also the home of the Richmond Hill Lawn Tennis Club, with six hard courts and a clubhouse. Centennial Pool is adjacent to Crosby Park and is a beautiful indoor swimming pool with six lanes.

For the golfing enthusiast who lives in Crosby, there are several courses in the area. Eagles Nest Golf Club is located at Major Mackenzie Drive West and Dufferin Street and has a full 18-hole course. Maple Downs Golf & Country Club (north of Teston Road) is just north of here and is also an 18-hole course. If residents drive north on Yonge Street, they will find Summit Golf & Country Club close to 19th Avenue, and along Bathurst Street is Bathurst Glen Golf Course.

Crosby offers a relaxed ambience and will appeal to homebuyers who enjoy spending time in green spaces. This area is quiet —  there isn’t a lot of street noise or city clamour.

Families will value the proximity to both primary and secondary schools, which are within walking distance from the vast majority of houses for sale in this neighbourhood. Likewise, a restaurant or café is commonly just around the corner.

With nearby amenities like the Elgin Barrow Arena Complex, Richmond Hill Central Public Library, the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, and the many restaurants and shops along Yonge Street, Crosby has everything you could ever need in reach.