The Annex was subdivided in the 1870's and 1880's. It immediately became one of Toronto's elite neighbourhoods.
The Annex's first residents included the likes of Timothy Eaton, the patriarch of Eaton’s department store, and George Gooderham, president of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery.
The Annex's Golden Era lasted until the 1920's, when the upper classes began to migrate northward to newer more fashionable suburbs in Forest Hill and Lawrence Park.
Those who stayed behind helped form the Annex Residents Association. This powerful lobby group saved the Annex from the proposed Spadina Expressway which would have divided the Annex in half, had it been built.
The Annex has endured and is now over one hundred years old. It remains one of Toronto's premier neighbourhoods.
Overview
This is a vibrant neighbourhood that draws its energy from the University of Toronto, as well as from the bars, restaurants and nightclubs that crowd together along Bloor Street.
Shopping
The Annex's main shopping district is on Bloor Street. This stretch of stores includes a hodgepodge of clothing boutiques, bookstores, food markets, travel agencies, restaurants, and outdoor cafes.
The Mirvish Village shopping district on Markham Street, south of Bloor Street, is a quaint collection of bookstores, art galleries, antique stores, and one-of-a-kind specialty stores.
Recreation
The Annex really comes alive at night when people from all over the city converge upon its restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
Fitness enthusiasts can get in shape at either the University of Toronto's Athletic Centre, or the Jewish Community Centre at Bloor and Spadina.
The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto is located in the Annex at 16 Spadina Road. This centre offers a variety of programs and services for Toronto's Native community as well as the general public.
The Spadina Road Public Library at 10 Spadina Road, offers a wide variety of programming for neighbourhood residents.
Schools
Please note that the schools listed below have very definite enrollment boundaries.
Central Technical School, 725 Bathurst St., (416) 393-0060
(Public High School)
Loretto College, 391 Brunswick Ave., (416) 393-5511 or South Campus, 783 Bathurst St., (416) 393-5543
(Separate School)
University of Toronto School, 371 Bloor West., (416) 978-3212
(Private School)
Royal St. Georges College, 120 Howland Ave., (416) 533-9481
(Private School)
University of Toronto, St. George Campus, (416) 978-2011
(University)
Legend:
(P) Public School
(PH) Public High School
(CA) Catholic School
(PR) Private School
(PC) Private Catholic School
(PJ) Private Jewish School
(C) College
(U) University
Source: David Dunkleman, TorontoNeighbourhoodGuide.com
