Summerhill, Toronto Neighbourhood Guide: A Well-Loved Toronto District

Summerville is an exquisite neighbourhood in Toronto bordered by Yonge Street to the east, Avenue Road to the west, Farnham Avenue to the north, and the CN rail tracks to the south. 

Residents here enjoy the benefits of living alongside Yonge Street, reportedly the longest street in Canada and the epicentre of Toronto. Here, a vast assortment of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues bring downtown conveniences to life. 

With nearby Rosedale featuring some of Toronto’s most luxurious homes, Summerhill residents are located in the same sphere of influential shopping and dining amenities.

This neighbourhood was named after the 80-hectare Summer Hill estate built by transportation baron Charles Thompson in 1842. This opulent estate even featured its own amusement park on its grounds and a dance pavilion was inside the mansion. This estate was subsequently purchased by William Smith, a lawyer, in 1866. Smith passed away and his heirs sold the Summer Hill mansion to land developers in 1929. 

The nearby North Toronto railway station was replaced by Union Station in 1954 and Summerhill achieved a spot on the Yonge Street subway line. The original North Toronto railway station building was revitalized in 2003, and this historic building now houses an LCBO.

The original houses in this neighbourhood were constructed between 1880 and 1915 and feature semi-detached and detached Victorian- and Edwardian-style houses. Many of the homes do not have driveways, but residents are more than willing to purchase street parking permits for the benefit of living here.

In this community, you’ll also find several low-rise condo buildings constructed in the 1980s and 1990s. There are also modern townhomes in the mix of available housing.

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’s artworks are displayed on stark white walls, highlighting their brilliant artistry. This venue showcases 30+ artists of all career levels and upcoming exhibitions include Jane Theodore’s 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 nearby high-class 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.

The eateries in the Summerhill 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 is a classic bistro serving upscale Italian delicacies. Josh on Yonge Street offers a patio illuminated with romantic patio lights and serves 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.

Also in this area, The Rosedale Diner serves a weekend brunch for a relaxing Sunday diversion. The platter for two is a cozy way to enjoy dinner in this family-owned eatery.

The Rosehill Reservoir 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 area so residents can continue to enjoy the outdoor amenities.  

Rosehill Reservoir’s trails connect with David Balfour Park, which features many wooded areas and a large playground. Oriole Park, just north of this area, has a playground, a wading pool, two tennis courts, and a seven-kilometre hiking trail. This park also features the newly designed Neshama Playground, an enticing attraction featuring a water play area, braille panels, a merry-go-round, and more.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Lionel Conacher Park is a serene spot to walk the dog or have a picnic. This green space also contains a sports field for playing football or baseball and soccer nets will appeal to sports enthusiasts. 

For those who enjoy group fitness and personal training, there are several fitness centres in the area, including Ultimate Athletics, Spin Co and Dexterity Fitness, all on Yonge Street. CrossFit YKV is on Avenue Road. You can enjoy yoga, Zumba, and aerobics classes with personal training sessions in-between at these facilities.

The Summerhill subway station is located within walking distance of this neighbourhood. Additionally, the Yonge Street corridor will take you downtown to the city core, where the Gardiner Expressway is located.

Summerhill has been a long-time favourite for those looking for a residence on tranquil tree-lined streets with a vibrant shopping and dining district within walking distance. This neighbourhood is a preferred district for those who can afford to live here.