Central Toronto Neighbourhood: Lawrence Park

Overview of the Lawrence Park Area

Lawrence Park is one of Toronto's most exclusive residential neighbourhoods. It is located in a very peaceful and tranquil setting that includes gently rolling hills, winding roads and a lush topography.

Lawrence Park's shops, schools, and recreational facilities are located on its periphery, which keeps traffic on the residential streets to a minimum.

History of Lawrence Park

The Lawrence Park subdivision was assembled in 1907 by the Dovercourt Land Building and Saving Company. The Dovercourt Land Company acquired the north parcel of Lawrence Park from John Lawrence, after whom this neighbourhood is named.

Wilfred Servington Dinnick was the president of the Dovercourt Land Company. It was under Dinnick's direction that Lawrence Park was developed as a suburb for the 'well to do'.

The first advertisement for Lawrence Park trumpeted it as an 'aristocratic neighbourhood', 'four hundred feet above Lake Ontario', and 'Far from the Lake Winds in Winter'.

Despite all its fanfare, Lawrence Park's development was sporadic. The building of houses was interrupted by two world wars, a recession, and a depression. It wasn't until the 1950's that this neighbourhood was completely developed.

Roads & Transit near Lawrence Park

Most Lawrence Park residents are within walking distance of bus routes that run along Yonge Street, Mount Pleasant Road, Bayview Avenue, and Lawrence Avenue. The Lawrence subway station, located at the intersection of Yonge and Lawrence, is part of the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line.

Parks and Recreation around Lawrence Park

Most of this neighbourhood's recreational facilities centre around Lawrence Park, east of Yonge Street, and south of Lawrence.

This park has three clay surface tennis courts, a lawn bowling club, and the Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens, an award winning multi level strolling garden. This park also provides access to the Lawrence Park Ravine footpath, that is popular with fitness and nature enthusiasts.

The George Locke Public Library at the north west corner of Lawrence Park offers a variety of programs for adults, children, and preschoolers

Homes in Lawrence Park

Lawrence Park's whimsical houses include a variety of architectural styles including English Cottage, Tudor Revival and Georgian and Colonial style designs.

Lawrence Park houses were built between 1910 and the late 1940's.

Lawrence Park is a good place to find a house that blends the old with the new. Renovations in this neighbourhood have been sensitive to preserve the old world charm of these houses including leaded glass windows, wood trims around the door and window frames, decorative fireplace mantels and rich hardwood floors

Homes in Lawrence Park typically range from $500,000 to $2,000,000 plus.