The Annex found its beginnings in early 1880 when Simeon Jane advertised his plan to annex Toronto into luxury residences. The area was split into three subsections: the Annex, South Annex & West Annex, situated along Bloor Street. The neighbourhood is rich in history, architecture and good eats. Unlike most of the downtown core, the Annex is filled with elder trees and cute parks. 

Notably, the Annex is a part of the “Dish With One Spoon Territory,” specifically home to the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee nations. The “Dish With One Spoon Territory,” also known as Treaty 13 (1805), bound them to share the territory and protect the land. Subsequent Indigenous Nations and peoples, Europeans and all newcomers have been invited into this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect.

The Annex is bound between Bathurst, Dupont, St George and Spadina station. This area houses most of Toronto’s students as it is the home of the University of Toronto and a couple of TTC stops away from Ryerson University. Most residences enjoy the tranquillity the neighbourhood brings. The low-rise buildings and greenery provide them with a city away from the city. All buildings in this area have personality and character. On Walmer Road, you can find chic mid-century style apartment buildings. They are distinctive in their white & black accents. Another stunning building in the area is called The Loretto. This condominium features loft-style apartments with modern interiors and high ceilings. 

Walking through this bohemian-style neighbourhood, you’ll see many bookstores, notably the famous BMV, and museums, such as the ROM. Among the 500 buildings protected by the Historical Board of Toronto, most belong to the University of Toronto. One of our favourites is the Hart House. Established in the early 1900s, this castle-esque building has maintained its gothic design while providing modern amenities. Its mini-library attracts students from all disciplines by its natural light and tranquillity. More interestingly, in the Hart House theatre, you can see ammunition scars alongside the walls if you look closely enough. 

All in all, the Annex features many quiet workspaces from libraries to coffee shops. One of our favourite spots is First & Last Cafe. This cute nook has a relaxed & cozy atmosphere. On some evenings, the cafe transforms with live music and chill beats. The Annex also houses many unique small businesses, such as Juxtapose. This shop has an array of unique knick-knacks perfect for all types of gifts and cards for every occasion. 

West of the Annex, you can find Seaton Village, or more commonly known as Koreatown. Unlike the rest of the Annex, this area features semi-detached family-style homes. It is relatively quieter and inexpensive compared to the rest of Downtown. Seaton Village resides over Christie and Bathurst station. This area neighbours the infamous Christie Pits park. This huge park is characterized as one of Toronto’s finest spaces. The park has basketball courts, soccer fields and picnic tables. It’s perfect for those hot summer days. During the winter, Torontonians enjoy its big slopes for tobogganing. 

Regardless of where you find yourself in the Annex, you may not see many condos as the houses have been designed “annex style.” They feature big arches, brick and turrets. After the mid-’90s, most of these houses were altered into apartment units, which means space & parking might be hard to find at first. However, with sites like spaceishare.com, you’ll realize hidden gems are right under your nose. Storage can be found in sheds, spare rooms, storage lockers and more in the Annex! You can also find great indoor and outdoor parking in the Annex by searching on www.SpaceiShare.com.