Neighbourhood Profiles

Liberty Village

HISTORY

In the late 1700s and early 1800s the area now known as Liberty Village was part of the Garrison Common -a military fortification for the Town of York (which would later become Toronto). Historic Fort York, located at 100 Garrison Road, served as the base for the Canadian militia in the Battle of York against the Americans in 1813.

The arrival of the railway to this area in the 1850s attracted industry, which in turn led to the building of warehouses and factories.Many of these are now enjoying a new purpose in Liberty Village as funky lofts, hip live/work spaces and studio offices. The name Liberty Village is said to be a reference to the Central Prison and the Mercer Reformatory for Women that were situated here in the late1800s and early 1900s.Story has it that Liberty Street -the neighbourhood's main east-west thoroughfare -is so named because it was the first ground prisoners set foot on upon their release.

OVERVIEW

There is a gritty, urban feel and a unique vibrancy to Liberty Village, which emanates from the red brick Victorian industrial architecture that dominates the streetscape. The tall chimney smoke stacks that project from some of these old buildings serve as neighbourhood landmarks.

SHOPPING

Liberty Village has gained a reputation as a destination spot for those seeking unique furniture and design stores, as well as art galleries, hip coffee shops and urban fusion restaurants.The Metro supermarket anchors a shopping strip that includes a video store, a pet supply store, a dry cleaner and a bank.

RECREATION

Liberty Village residents can take advantage of the nearby waterfront trail that is used by walkers, joggers, cyclists and in-line skaters.This neighbourhood is just minutes away from Toronto's Entertainment District and world class sporting venues such as Air Canada Centre and Rogers Centre.

SCHOOLS

Please note that the schools listed below have very definite enrollment boundaries.

(P)Givins/Shaw,49 Givins St.,416-393-1240

(P)Alexander Muir/Gladstone Jr.&Sr., 108 Gladstone Ave.,416-393-9140

(PH)Parkdale Collegiate Institute,209 Jameson Ave.,
416-393-9000

(PH)Central Technical School,725 Bathurst St.,
416-393-0060

(PH)West Toronto Collegiate Institute,
330 Lansdowne Ave.,416-393-1500

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

**The Toronto neighbourhood text profiles, sketches and maps displayed on this web site were originally published in “Your Guide to Toronto Neighbourhoods”, are © Maple Tree Publishing Inc. and have been reproduced by Toronto Real Estate Board under license.