Rosedale, Toronto Neighbourhood Guide: A Community Set-Apart

Rosedale is a prestigious and well-recognized neighbourhood in Toronto north of Bloor Street and sandwiched between Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue. This enclave has been the home to everyone from noted authors to esteemed politicians. 

Surrounded by a network of ravines, historic homes are sheltered from the busy activity on nearby Yonge Street and offer a quiet retreat for families to flourish.

Rosedale‘s history dates back to the 1820s when Sheriff William Botsford Jarvis and his wife settled in an estate home here. Jarvis’s wife was the one who came up with the name of Rosedale for their opulent mansion, naming it after the profusion of roses that decorated the property.

In 1864, the Jarvis’s sold their property, which was a catalyst for residential development in South Rosedale. In 1909, North Rosedale followed South Rosedale’s lead. A bridge was constructed over the Park Drive ravine in addition to the development of residential pockets.

To protect the historic buildings and history of this neighbourhood, South Rosedale was named a Historic Conservation District in 2003 and North Rosedale was awarded the same status in 2005.

In keeping with its heritage status, Rosedale is home to a wide array of Victorian-, Georgian-, Tudor-, and Edwardian-style mansions built between 1860 and 1940. In South Rosedale, you’ll find condos, co-operatives, and co-ownership apartment buildings, providing a foothold for a diverse collection of homeowners to obtain a property in this affluent district.

Arts and culture are displayed in a colourful arrangement of canvases housed at Muse Gallery on Yonge Street. Established in 2005, this gallery promotes Canadian artists, featuring contemporary art from both emerging and established artists.

This bright and airy gallery houses colourful artworks displayed on stark white walls, highlighting the brilliant artistry. This venue showcases 30+ artists of all career levels.  Upcoming exhibitions include Jane Theodore and Su Sheedy’s artwork.

The Yonge Street shopping district is a world-renowned corridor of markets, fashion boutiques, cafés, salons, and bookstores displayed in a bustling metropolis. Adorned and Lemonwood Summerhill are high-end clothing boutiques appealing to shoppers from the nearby deluxe neighbourhoods. Thirty Six Knots on Yonge Street is a home goods store featuring lighting, furniture, and decor ranging from hygge-inspired lamps to exclusive rugs, candles, and textiles.

Harvest Wagon on Yonge Street is a must-see if you’re looking for unique gourmet foodstuff. A family-run business for over 40 years, it specializes in stocking hard-to-find grocery products and sumptuous prepared food to enjoy at home.

North Rosedale residents enjoy the convenience of shopping at nearby Summerhill Avenue. Summerhill Market, a well-known specialty grocer and shopping destination in this district stocks gourmet foodstuff and prepared food. 

Try the renowned truffle popcorn made with the market’s secret ingredients or take home a prepared mason jar of chicken noodle soup. The chicken pot pie also has a reputation for being amazing.

The eateries in the Rosedale neighbourhood offer dining venues for all tastes, from casual pubs to fine dining with wine and white tablecloths. Yonge Street is a favourite for eclectic dining options. Sorrel is a French restaurant featuring a sophisticated Mediterranean menu. Quanto Basta restaurant is a classic bistro serving upscale Italian delicacies. Josh on Yonge Street offers a patio illuminated with romantic patio lights and fresh seasonal internationally inspired dishes.

Strolling along Yonge Street in the summertime, you’ll have a difficult time choosing from among the plethora of open-air dining and intimate surroundings of these classic restaurants.

An assortment of ravines provides a scenic enclave surrounding Rosedale’s historic homes. Moore Park, Park Drive, and Rosedale Valley ravines feature an array of walking trails. The nearby Vale of Avoca attracts nature lovers who enjoy the hiking trail that winds along a creek. 

The Rose Hill Reservoir Park is east of Yonge Street and is an attractive feature of this community. The Reservoir offers an assortment of trails complete with an intricate staircase system that is a popular fair-weather alternative to the gym. A scenic waterfall and a reflecting pool lined with cobblestones add an interesting element to this space and kids enjoy the wading pool. In 2022, the city is revitalizing this park for residents to continue to enjoy the outdoor amenities.  

Rosedale Park on Schofield Avenue and Ramsden Park on nearby Yonge Street are popular spots for residents to skate, play tennis, or join in a game of soccer.

The recently renovated Rosedale Park offers two tennis courts, a sports field with a baseball diamond, a playground, a wading pool, a skating rink, and a running track. Nearby Ramsden Park, another popular gathering spot, features a baseball diamond, playgrounds, a wading pool, and an outdoor ice rink that transitions into a tennis court in the summertime.

These parks offer an opportunity to participate in your favourite activities in a local setting if the intricate network of hiking trails in the surrounding ravines isn’t for you.

This neighbourhood is within walking distance of the Rosedale subway station and Sherbourne Station is also nearby. Local TTC buses run regular routes along South Drive, Summerhill Road, and Elm Avenue, among others. Additionally, the Don Valley Parkway is just a few minutes’ drive away, which will take you into the heart of the city.

Rosedale is an affluent and luxurious neighbourhood. Surrounded by ravines, parks, and valleys, it is an area set apart from its busy urban surroundings. This is what makes Rosedale an appealing assembly of historic homes highly sought-after by those who can afford them.