In 1827, the newly formed council of King’s College University bought 150 acres of undeveloped forest land south of Bloor Street and west of Avenue Road. The purchase price was 3,750 pounds.  What would eventually become the University of Toronto Campus was originally acquired for 25 pounds per acre!   

Today, the University-Palmerston area is a mix of single family homes, student housing, condominiums and retail development.  Next to the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus, the neighbourhood has museums, live music venues and Honest Ed’s – arguably Toronto’s most famous discount store.  This eclectic blend is what makes University-Palmerston unique.       

The University-Palmerston neighbourhood is also thought of and referred to as the South Annex by its residents and merchants. Those working and living east of Grace Street and north of College think of themselves as part of the South Annex. The area is served by the Spadina and Bathurst subway stations along the Yonge-University line.  Drivers will find Harbord Street an easier drive than Bloor Street West when traveling east and west. 

A typical University-Palmerston house is a 2-storey semi-detached on a 20’ wide lot.  In 2011, prices ranged from just under $550,000 to above $1,000,000.  Some of the houses have undergone interior renovations and retain their original exteriors. Others have modified exteriors that express the tastes and traditions of their current owners. There are a few high rise condominium projects, most of which are located along Spadina Avenue.  2011 condominium prices ranged from $300,000 to over $900,000. 

University-Palmerston is served by Huron St. Junior Public School, Lord Lansdowne Junior and Senior Public School and Harbord Collegiate Institute.  St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is located at 80 Clinton Street. Nearby private schools are University of Toronto Schools (UTS) and Taddle Creek Montessori School.

University-Palmerston’s two main shopping areas are located along Bloor Street West and along Harbord Street.  Harbord Street between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street has specialty bookstores, restaurants and a ceramics studio.  Bloor Street between Avenue Road and Bathurst Street features food shops, yoga studios and restaurants offering a wide variety of national cuisines. There are plenty of sidewalk cafes which make strolling Bloor Street in clement weather a delight.

The Royal Ontario Museum, The Bata Shoe Museum, The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre and the Bathurst Street Theatre are all within walking distance of University-Palmerston.  Trinity St. Paul’s United Church is home to the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Mirvish Village on Markham Street offers artist’s studios, restaurants and a comic book shop.  Honest Ed’s, brainchild of Toronto merchant and theatrical impresario Ed Mirvish, still provides bargains at the corner of Bloor and Bathurst Streets.  For those seeking a peaceful walk, elegant Palmerston Boulevard, with its turn-of-the-century streetlamps, offers a haven from the hustle and bustle. 

University-Palmerston caters to students, families, theatergoers, music lovers and foodies.  Its residents can walk to museums, restaurants and yoga classes.  Fine housing stock and an excellent location make the University-Palmerston neighbourhood a value proposition for Buyers. Its cultural scene and services make it highly desirable.  

To search for properties in University-Palmerston, click here.

The Toronto neighbourhood map displayed on this website was published in “Your Guide to Toronto Neighbourhoods”, is copyright Maple Tree Publishing and has been reproduced by the Toronto Real Estate Board under license.

                                                   Back to Top