The Dovercourt Land Building and Saving Company assembled the Lawrence Park subdivision in 1907 and named it after John Lawrence from whom they purchased the land. The president of the Dovercourt Land Company Park was developed as a suburb for the 'well to do'. In fact, the first advertisement for the area 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.
Now, 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. Shops, schools, and recreational facilities are located on its periphery, which keeps traffic on the residential streets to a minimum.
Built between 1910 and 1950, Lawrence Park's whimsical houses include a variety of architectural styles including English Cottage, Tudor Revival and Georgian and Colonial style designs. Blending 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.
STATISTCS
Toronto Real Estate Board District: C4/C10/C12
Homes Sold in 2008 (Detached, 3 or 4 bdrm): 209
Median Sale Price: $905,000
Average Sale Price: $1,043,860
The high profile shops and restaurants in the Yonge and Lawrence area are well patronized by Lawrence Park residents and include fashion stores, children's stores, sporting goods stores, gift shops, bakeries, and gourmet coffee shops.
Most of this neighbourhood's recreational facilities centre on 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, which 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.
SCHOOLS
Public:
Blythwood Jr. 2 Strathgowan (416) 393-9105
Sunny View Jr.& Sr. 450 Blythwood (416) 393-9275
Lawrence Park Collegiate 125 Chatsworth (416) 393-9500
North Toronto Collegiate 70 Roehampton (416) 393-9180
Northern Secondary 851 Mt. Pleasant (416) 393-0270
Private:
St. Clements School 21 St. Clements (416) 483-4835
Havergal College 1451 Avenue (416) 483-3519
The Toronto French School 296 Lawrence E (416) 484-6533
The Toronto District School Board The Toronto District Catholic School Board
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