The Annex

The Annex

The original homes in The Annex were built between 1880 & 1910. They are outstanding examples of Victorian, Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque architectural styles. Charming pre-war materials used in these homes range from plum coloured Credit River Sandstone to rich red brick and terra cotta clay tile roofs. Walking down Bedford Road or Bernard Avenue would provide you with wonderful examples of features that make these homes special. These features include stunning coach houses, recessed grand archways, turrets, pyramid roofs and spindled porches. The second era of homes are less elaborate as they are Georgian, English Cottage and Tudor in style.

Fronting on Bloor Street and Avenue Road allows residents a convenient lifestyle with shopping, transportation and recreation just minutes away. The residents at 1 Bedford have fabulous South views over one of the best features of The Annex’s apartment buildings, proximity to the University of Toronto campus. Protected South views, the greenery of Queens Park, the Royal Ontario Museum and Toronto’s skyline all make the Bloor frontage extremely desirable. Of note is the new Park Hyatt Hotel at Bloor Street West & Avenue Road. It will prove to be one of the top hotels in the city.

History

The Annex was subdivided in the 1870’s and 1880’s as it became one of Toronto’s elite neighbourhoods. Industry leaders, wealthy families and the who’s-who of 19th century Toronto all lived in this area in large sprawling homes. The golden era of The Annex lasted until the Great Depression while many of the wealthy families moved to the North part of the city to larger plots of land as it was developing. From the 1930’s to 1960’s many of the large homes were converted to rooming houses. Those multifamily dwellings were again converted back into the grand homes they once were in the present era.