Toronto’s Cultural Gems: A Neighborhood Guide to the Iconic Forest Hill

Home to the Toronto elite, the neighborhood of Forest Hill is a vibrant and affluent community located to the north of Downtown Toronto. The area is considered one of the most breathtaking locations in the city, with a diverse typography featuring numerous green parks, winding roads, and gently sloping hills. Forest Hill is also home to some of the most prominent names in Canada, ranging from celebrities like Drake to entrepreneurs, doctors, and lawyers. If you are considering buying a home in Forest Hill, the following neighborhood guide will help you acquaint yourself with the area.

History

Forest Hill was incorporated as a village in 1923 and amalgamated into Toronto in 1967. Originally named Spadina Heights, the area was renamed Forest Hill after John Wickson’s summer home. Wickson is the father of renowned Toronto architect Frank Wickson. Originally, the neighborhood’s boundaries were Eglinton Avenue, Lonsdale Road, Upper Canada College, and Bathurst Street to the north, south, east, and west, respectively. Residents can visit the WWI and III memorial, Forest Hill War Memorial, built in the neighborhood in 1980 in memory of fallen soldiers.

Location

When people talk about homes for sale in Forest Hill, Toronto, they are usually talking about two neighborhoods. Forest Hill is currently divided into two areas for analytical and research purposes – Forest Hill North and Forest Hill South. The area is also home to Forest Hill Village, a commercial block located along Spadina Road. Today, the neighborhood extends from Briar Hill Avenue in the north (Forest Hill North) to Heath Street in the south (Forest Hill South).

Housing and Architecture

As one of the most affluent communities in Toronto, Forest Hill features some of the best and priciest real estate in the country. Forest Hills luxury homes are popular for their distinct styles, with no two homes looking alike. Homes in the Upper Village are primarily Tudor and Georgian but you can find terra cotta French Colonials and English manors sprawled across the neighborhood. Amenities common to the area include sweeping lawns, stately gated entrances, porte-cocheres, and sculpture gardens. Over the years, Forest Hill has become famous for its new and grand ‘neo-traditional’ architecture.

Character

Often compared to other affluent neighborhoods like Rosedale, Forest Hill is popular for its steadily growing affluence and prestige. The area continues to produce stately homes and amenities unmatched elsewhere in Toronto. And as Rosedale homes lean more toward charm and history, homes in Forest Hill scream grandeur. Away from the houses, Forest Hill is a quiet residential neighborhood, with specific nodes of interaction. These include Bathurst Street, Eglinton Ave West, St Clair Ave West, and the intersection of Lonsdale and Spadina Road, which feature banks, fitness centers, stores, retail shops, and more.

Education

Education in Forest Hill is some of the best in Canada. English-oriented schools (secular) are operated under the Toronto District School Board. There are three other publicly funded school boards in the area, including one for Catholic schools. Public schools in Forest Hill include West Preparatory Public School, South Preparatory Public School, Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School, and Forest Hill Collegiate Institute, with other options close by.   

Explore the Local Toronto Market with Katy Torabi

Forest Hill is the ideal neighborhood for homeowners looking for peace, grand homes, and world-class amenities. If you are ready to explore the Forest Hill real estate market and all it has to offer, contact expert Toronto real estate agent Katy Torabi. A consultation with Katy will bring you one step closer to your dream Forest Hill home.