Leslieville Real Estate Today

Long knows as one of the more “affordable” neighbourhoods in the city, Leslieville on Queen Street East is fast becoming one of Toronto’s most popular neighbourhoods. Older, more run-down properties are being renovated by their new owners.  Several new condominium developments and loft transformations are rapidly changing the face of Queen Street East and Leslieville.  While ongoing development is increasing the value of many Leslieville homes, local residents have less to fear than their Queen West counterparts when it comes to over development.  Zoning restrictions on Queen East will keep condominiums to a maximum of nine storeys.  In fact, many such developments located north or south of Queen are barely visible over the mature trees that line most of the neighbourhood’s streets.

Acres of land previously zoned for industrial use, are being transformed into residential units – The Leslieville Lofts, Garment Factory, Flat Iron Lofts, Printing Factory and Edge Lofts to name a few. 

Faced with all of this new development, area residents are fighting to keep Leslieville an urban community.  Resistance to the development of big-box stores like Wal-Mart has been effective in keeping the small, “family owned” stores and restaurants front and centre in the neighbourhood.  Unlike their counterparts on the west end of Queen, residents and business owners are also determined to avoid the over “gentrification” of their piece of Queen Street, by supporting locally owned coffee shops, bars and restaurants and other small, home-grown businesses.  Having said that, the growth of Leslieville and the influx of new, younger home owners is creating support for a number of newer establishments; Prohibition at Queen and Broadview, Table 18 and Soma not to mention the ever popular Dark Horse Espresso Bar to name a few. 

Also in the works is the development of the West Don Lands just on the edge of Leslieville.  A mix of 6,000 new homes and condos combined with parkland and small business development will  only increase the attractiveness, and the cost, of buying a home on the east end of Queen Street.  

So if you’re thinking of a move to the east end you might want to look at Leslieville sooner, rather than later.  The buzz is growing and it would make sense to get in “on the ground floor” so to speak. Whether you’re looking for an older home on on an established, tree-lined street or your dream is to own a new condo just off of Queen Street, we are looking forward to helping you find your perfect place in Leslieville.