Birch Cliff

Where Victoria Park Avenue and Danforth Avenue meet is an interesting corner. Sure, there is Shopper's World On The Danforth - of which I walk to quite often to shop - but more importantly it is where four Toronto neighbourhoods roughly intersect. They are: East York to the North West, Clairlea-Oakridge to the North East, Upper Beach to the South West and finally Birch Cliff to the South East.

Birch Cliff, as mentioned, is a neighbourhood just east of the Beach and south of Clairlea, and a very interesting area indeed; one with dramatic views of lake Ontario and gorgeous tree-lined streets. A number of exclusive properties back right onto the water. The homes in Birch Cliff vary in style, size and most definitely price. The further east and north you go the less the cost. Naturally a home closest to - or on - the lake commands the highest price. Two of the most expensive streets are Fallingbrook Road and Fallingbrook Drive. (pictured here) Homes on these two streets alone can be well over two million dollars. The total area of Birch Cliff  may not be as large as 'EastYork'  but within its boundaries it packs quite an array of shops, schools, parkland as well as interesting architecture, not only in its homes but in the architecurally acclaimed historic R.C.Harris Water Treatment Plant. (located at the foot of Victoria Park on the lake)  

Boundaries

Birch Cliff's boundaries roughly are: Victoria Park to the west; lake Ontario to the south; Kennedy Road to the east and finally Danforth Road  (not to be confused with Danforth Avenue) to the north. On a map the area looks like an interestingly stretched rectangle. See map.

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  History

Around the turn of the 19th century (1895) The Toronto Hunt Club acquired the land between Kingston Road and the waterfront to make way for its first permanent home; a home designed to put on equestrian events. The area at that time was mostly woodland and farms. The name 'Birch Cliff' was one that was given to a single cottage - one of many cottages built around the Toronto Hunt Club's facility at the time - that was erected by John Stark. His choice of name came from the many birch trees that filled the land as well as the 'cliff-like' views of the lake. The post office  - at that time located in a grocery store at Kingston Road and Birchmount Avenue - quickly adopted the name and in turn the neighbourhood of  'Birch Cliff' was born.

The early days of the area was a tranquil one as city dwellers flocked to their new summer cottages by the recently relocated Toronto Hunt Club. The streetcar line was extended to run along Kingston Road to Birchmount to accommodate the influx of people. Thus, a new shopping district was born as well. By the dawn of the 20th century and well into the 1920's the area expanded and became a permanent year-round residential community as the equestrian aspect of The Toronto Hunt Club had long moved away (1907) to a more northern location. The site is presently an exclusive golf course. (main entrance to their waterfront property pictured below)

The years following the second world war were a time in which the area saw the disappearance of the streetcar line as Kingston Road became a major artery for the downtown workers to commute to newer suburbs further east. Birch Cliff is sometimes broken into three areas based almost exclusively on price. One area known as Fallingbrook sits just west of The Toronto Hunt Club and is very sought after by homeowners. Another, referred to as Birch Cliff Heights is a more middle to low income zone and area homes reflect this point. The last area south of Kingston Road, surrounded by the lake and ravines is an extemely weathly residential district and homeowners there relish being amongst nature and the water.

Birch Cliff Quarry Lands

One area of note that is currently aiming to be developed is on the former Birch Cliff Quarry lands. The Toronto Brick Company used this area - which is North of Gerrard and directly east of Victoria Park Avene - until the 1960's. This area is zoned for high density apartment buildings and there are plans in the works to build there but many of the residents are opposed to such a large scale development of the land and have petitioned against it. Currently on the western edge of the site sits a driving range; one used by avid golfers for practice before heading just up the street on Victoria Park to the 18 hole, par 3 course named 'Dentonia Park Municiple Golf Course'. This course is actually located in the neighbourhood of Clairlea Oakridge.

 So, You Want To Be In The Movies And On Television?

Indeed, I'm sure we all would. It would be great to see our names up in lights and our face on the big screen and make top dollar! For the building pictured here, being in show business has definitely become a realty. The R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, located in the Birch Cliff area at the foot of Victoria Park Avenue by the lake, has been showcased in several movies and television shows. Two films are the comedies 'Undercover Brother' and 'Half-Baked'. Another is the crazy 1983 comedy 'Strange Brew' with Bob and Doug Mackenzie (whom I've actually met once years ago). It was also featured as an insane asylum in the horror film 'In The Mouth Of Madness'. As far as television is concerned it was seen in 'Robocop: The Series' as well as 'The Pretender'. Make no mistake though this building is more than just a pretty face. It is still fully operational and provides the City Of Toronto with roughly some 45% of its water supply.

What's Making The News?

Birch Cliff is a place with many interesting stories and some very unique people. All the news on this varied neighbourhood and beyond can be found in the weekly Bluffs Monitor newspaper. It is delivered by volunteers to your front door (as well as being available in libraries) and is jam-packed with up-to-date news stories, opinions and local goings on in the neighbourhood and the Greater Toronto Area.

Price Ranges For Properties In Birch Cliff

Price ranges fluctuate dramatically in Birch Cliff because of the diversity of the area and its influlences. Homes in the northern part (near the railway tracks) are smaller and more affordable than a luxury home on a huge lot overlooking the lake. Small, detached homes can be purchased for a little over $160,000 whereas a more stately property will set you back upwards of 2 million dollars. Overall though, there are definitely affordable properties in the area for a family, and those that work downtown, but want to feel like they are outside the hustle and bustle of the cities main core.  

Detached                                       $160,000 - 2 million

Semi-Detached                             $200,000 - $800,000

Condominiums                            $300,000 - 1 million

It should be noted for example that loft units in a new eco-friendly building proposed for Fallingbrook Road sold for $300,000 and up to 1million dollars.

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Transportation

The area is well serviced by The Toronto Transit Commission and is close to the main Bloor/Danforth subway line. For those that drive one could be downtown in about 20 minutes via Kingston Road, Gardiner expressway or Lakeshore Blvd. I have made the drive myself. But, if you prefer to take the Danforth Go Train you will be at Union Station within 10-15 minutes non-stop.

 Schools

In a massive comparison of school systems from around the globe, Canada ranked high amongst the world's leaders in educational performance. Some 470,000 fifteen year old students from 65 countries, were tested in reading, science and math, and Canadian students achieved top-ten results in all categories, according to the Organization For Economic Co-operation And Development.

Elementary Schools

Birch Cliff Public School

Birch Cliff Heights Public School

Blantyre Public School                                    Fraser Ranking

Courcelette Public School         Fraser Ranking

J.G. Workman Public School 

Secondary Schools

Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute           Fraser Ranking

Catholic Schools

Immaculette Heart Of Mary Elementary       Fraser Ranking 

Neil McNeil Catholic Secondary School

Montessori School

Broadview French Montessori School

Parks/Fitness &Recreational Centres

Birch Cliff has several excellent multifunctional parks, fitness and recreational centres within its boundaries. Most notable of these is Birchmount Park. On its acreage sits Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, Birchmount Recreational Centre and Leisure Pool (I love going down their huge waterslide pictured below- upper left in photo), Birchmount stadium, Scarborough Arenas Hockey Gardens, soccer field, running track and the Variety Village sports complex. This particular complex is excellent for those persons with physical challenges and special needs. Other parks in the area include: Highview Park and Rosetta McClain Gardens on the lakefront. 

Neighbourhood Restaurants/Shops

Birch Cliff is home to several nice restaurants, pubs and shops but currently along Kingston Road is an area in transition. Many of the older stores are in need of repairs and a steady anchor tenant. Revitalization is in the works though with some new shops and boutiques popping up but more is definitely needed to service the Birch Cliff neighbourhood. In the Spring until Fall though it's always a pleasure to visit the outdoors farmer's market - Markets By The Bluffs - where the smell of fresh, colourful produce fills the air and views of the lake fill the eye!

Markets By The Bluffs

The Green Dragon Pub

The Feather's Pub

The Quarry Cafe

Wimpys Diner

Fallingbrook Market & Cafe

Kalyani's Indian Cuisine

Busters Pub

Starbucks

Thai Breeze Asian Cuisine Restaurant

So, Ready To Move To Birch Cliff?

Birch Cliff, as you've now found, is an interesting and delightful neighbourhood, featuring homes with a great deal of property for those hard-earned dollars and plenty of green space for you and your family to enjoy. And, the views of lake Ontario are truly magnificent! On a sunny, clear day you can almost see across to the United States!!

So, ready to move to Birch Cliff?

Please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me with any queries you may have regarding the neighbourhood, or the current supply of homes and condominiums for sale or lease.

I bring you home.

P.S. In case you were wondering, that's not a picture of me jogging in the snow along a Birch Cliff waterfront trail by lake Ontario. I'm the one taking the photo.