Walkability: Fort York - 83
By Lucas on Apr 14, 2014
The next up-and-coming Toronto neighbourhood that we explored on foot for our Walkability series was Fort York, which features an evolving mixture of the city’s old and new.
Fort York on Walkscore.com
Unlike most Toronto neighbourhoods, the boundaries of Fort York are pretty clear. There is Bathurst Street on the east side, Fleet Street / Lake Shore Boulevard West to the south, Strachan Avenue on the west side, and the train tracks run along the north.
WalkScore.com gives Fort York a Walk Score of 83, labelling the area as “Very Walkable” and that “most errands can be accomplished on foot.”
Like other neighbourhoods that we’ve featured so far, Fort York has a Transit Score of 100. The area has easy access to the Bathurst Streetcar, which can take you all the way up to Bloor Street and beyond. Possibly more importantly, the Lake Shore / Fleet Street Streetcar line has a dedicated lane, so there’s no need to worry about vehicular traffic holding you up when travelling east or west.
The amenities of Fort York
While Fort York does offer a variety of amenities, such as a few fast food places like Subway and Tim Hortons, and a couple shops, the high Walk Score can be credited to the abundance of amenities offered in the nearby Wellington Place and Niagara neighbourhoods. That doesn’t mean that Fort York doesn’t have a lot to offer, it’s just residential-focused. Living in one of the condos in Fort York will feel like you’re part of a tightly knit community, but then you’ll have all the urban amenities expected of a downtown lifestyle.
It’s also important to note that Fort York is an historic site. In 1793, Colonel John Graves Simcoe, Lt.-Governor of Upper Canada 1791-1796, ordered the construction of a garrison (where military troops would be stationed to defend the area). Simcoe had some big plans for this site; he initially wanted to develop a naval base to “control Lake Ontario because of a war scare with the United States,” says FortYork.ca. The stronger defences were never established, and today Fort York features “Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings.” The site is open year round for tours.
New home developments in and around Fort York
A number of condo developments have already been completed in the Fort York neighbourhood. Local at Fort York Condos by Onni Group of Companies is currently under construction, and The York Harbour Club by Plaza is making progress very quickly.
The latest condo development to make waves in the area is Garrison Point by Cityzen Development Group, Diamondcorp, and Fernbrook Homes. Located at 30 Ordnance, Garrison Point isn’t technically in the Fort York neighbourhood, but given the scope of the overall plan for the development, it will definitely define Fort York’s northwest corner when everything is complete.
If you’re looking for a downtown Toronto neighbourhood with significant historical roots, an intimate condo community, and access to a variety of urban amenities, then Fort York is definitely worth looking into!
