Hillcrest
History:
Hillcrest was first settled in the 1840’s by Robert John Turner, a reformer from England. The Turner house, named “Bracondale”, stood where Hillcrest Park is today. By 1884, a small village grew up on the edge of the Turner estate, at the intersection of Christie and Davenport. This settlement became known as Bracondale Village. The Village consisted mostly of farmers and a few stores. Its first postmaster was Frank Turner, the son of Robert Turner. In 1909, Bracondale Village was annexed by the City of Toronto. Shortly thereafter, Frank Turner’s heirs subdivided the Bracondale estate and turned it into an exclusive subdivision named ” Bracondale Hill Park”. The Turner family retained ownership of the Bracondale house until 1937, when it was sold to the City and demolished in order to make room for Hillcrest Park. It seems the landmark Wychwood TTC Barns outlived their usefulness to the TTC with the advent of more sophisticated facilities resulting in the Barns remaining derelict and vacant beginning in the 1980s. The Barns continued to be a blight on the surrounding neighbourhood until 2007 when Artscape a not- for-profit urban development organization that revitalizes buildings, neighbourhoods, and cities through the arts, began a massive restoration on the Barns. It was Artscape’s vision for the reuse of the The Wychwood TTC barns that spearheaded the restoration of the five attached brick buildings on this site. These structures built between 1913 and 1921, encompassed 60,000 square feet of space.
Overview:
Hillcrest is a mature established neighbourhood with quiet tree-lined streets and whimsical looking houses, that make you feel as if you are far away from the bright lights of the big city. Artscape Wychwood Barns ; the name is catchy, but what does it all mean. Is it an art studio ? Is it a farm ? Is it a neighbourhood ? If you answered all of the above you would be on the right track. Speaking of tracks this community space is situated on the former Toronto Transit Commission streetcar repair barns located on a 4.3 acre site between Wychwood Avenue and Christie Street, south of St. Clair Avenue.
Lifestyle:
The Hillcrest shopping district located on St. Clair Avenue West features mostly independent retailers that cater to the day-to-day needs of the local community. The small convenience-type stores on Davenport Road, and Vaughan Road, also serve the Hillcrest community. These are mostly independent owner operated stores that provide a personalized and friendly service to the neighbourhood residents. The Farmers’ Market at Wychwood Barns located at 601 Christie Street, is considered one of the largest and best farmers market in Toronto. This market features 35 – 40 vendors selling organic foods including the likes of wild strawberry jam, honey, dried chestnuts and Ontario black walnuts just to name a few of the tantalizing treats offered each Saturday from 8am to 1pm in the summer.
Homes:
The houses at the north end of Hillcrest were built in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. These houses are loaded with turn of the century charm and character, and are a wonderful mix of shapes and sizes. There is also a pocket of larger detached homes, built between 1910 and 1930, near Hillcrest Park. Some of these dignified residences were built with stone from the original Union Station, which was torn down after World War 1.
Recreation:
The Hillcrest Community Centre is located in the Hillcrest Public School on Bathurst Street. This facility includes an indoor pool and a gymnasium. Just north of the Hillcrest Community Centre is the Wychwood Public Library, which offers year round programs for the neighbourhood children. Hillcrest Park, perched atop the Davenport escarpment at the south perimeter of this neighbourhood, offers a spectacular view of the city skyline and Lake Ontario. This park has a wading pool, a children’s playground, and four tennis courts. Hillcrest residents have been instrumental in donating their time, money and resources to the development of the Artscape Wychwood Barns, which involved the conversion of the historic Wychwood TTC streetcar repair barns on Christie Street south of St. Clair. Artscape Wychwood Barns is a 60,000 sq. ft. multifaceted community meeting place that encompasses live/work space for artists, as well as seasonal festivals, a farmers market, a greenhouse and a community bake-oven. The park’s greenspace includes a natural ice rink, playing fields, a stage, chess tables, beach volleyball, a water play area and children’s swings and climbers.
Transportation:
Hillcrest is well served by public transit. The streetcar runs along St. Clair Avenue West, while regular bus service runs along Oakwood Avenue and Bathurst Street. Davenport Road also has a limited bus service. Motorists are just minutes from downtown. It is approximately a fifteen minute drive from this neighbourhood to the Allen Expressway, which connects commuters to Toronto’s major highways.
Hillcrest Stats
Walkability:
High
Bikeability:
Medium
Public Transit:
High
Affordability:
Low
Greenspace:
High
Recreation:
High
Legend: Low, Medium, High
Commute Times
* All commuting times provided are approximate times only. Commute times may increase or decrease depending on where you live within the neighbourhood and the time of day i.e rush hour versus off hour commutes. Time estimates to public transit are based on walking distance or bus line connection whichever is quicker. All other commute times on the chart above are based on drive times.
School Guide
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Toronto School Resources
Editor’s Note. BEFORE MOVING INTO, BUYING OR RENTING A HOME, PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL YOU ARE CONSIDERING BY PHONE to ensure your home is within the designated boundaries and that your child is age appropriate. WE CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MISINFORMATION REGARDING SCHOOL ENROLLMENT SO DO NOT ASSUME that your child can automatically attend a specific school or specialized program until you have official confirmation from that school. Please visit the school board web sites for more information.