Liberty Village is known as Condo Central in Toronto and is the up-and-coming area for young, creative professionals seeking loft living and a youthful community. It has been dubbed an "artsy loft district," and even a "bohemian enclave.” Built mostly in and around old factories and warehouses, the area has a nice, characteristic mix of historic 19th century industrial architecture and new, modern designs. The condo market here has been on the rise over the last five years or so. More modern buildings are going up, while the area’s signature historic warehouses and factories are continuously being restored to provide more commercial and urban living spaces. Property values are rising, making for good investment opportunities for new owners.

Known for its characteristic architecture, which blends new glass and concrete construction with historic industrial buildings. Many old storage and factory have been converted into commercial spaces that house design, media, technology and marketing firms, and an eclectic mix of retail shops.

Young, professional singles and couples in their 20s and 30s. Easy-going and friendly, creative-minded individuals, many working in the media, tech, design sectors in the area.

Last year the average 1-bedroom condo cost $400,000; a 2-bedroom cost an average of $650,000.

Locals frequent the many urban restaurants, bars, and cafes. The area is becoming a popular destination spot for shopping, with trendy fashion stores and modern furniture shops.

Great starter community with mostly condos and townhouses available for sale or rent. Ultra-modern construction melded with turn-of-the-century industrial architecture.

The trendy condos, for one thing. The unique character and history, for another. Liberty Village has one of the most interesting historic backgrounds of Toronto as it is located on one of the city’s oldest settlements. Back in the 1870s, two prisons were opened in the area – Toronto Central Prison and the Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women (now the site of Lamport Stadium). In 1915, Provincial Secretary William John Hanna had Central Prison closed down and the buildings were soon demolished. What’s really interesting about all this is that Liberty Street, after which the village is named, was the first street the freed convicts would walk down. Liberty Village also became a thriving industrial area in the late 1800s and early 1900s due to its close proximity to the CP railway tracks. Many factories and warehouses were built in the area, many of which still stand today, contributing to the gritty, yet trendy neighbourhood of today that attracts young professionals and artists. It is the refurbishing of these old factories and storage spaces that lends to the unique character of the neighbourhood today. Many of the old warehouses have been turned into lofts that feature exposed brick, expansive windows, and high ceilings. Other industrial buildings have been restored as galleries, art and design studios, restaurants, furniture stores, gyms, and office spaces. The open-space concepts have become home to many modern businesses, including design firms, tech companies, and media offices, like Vice Canada. A lot of these new business spaces make up Liberty Market, located at Liberty Street and Hanna Avenue. The Market is one of the area’s oldest factory and storage buildings, and was converted into commercial space in the 1980s and 90s. Another notable Liberty Village landmark is the Castle building on Liberty Street, which was built in 1912 and was given its name because it has a similar architectural design and style to Casa Loma. Some of the old industrial buildings still have chimney stacks projecting from the roofs, now set against modern glass and concrete condo towers, providing a gritty, urban, ultra-modern atmosphere. It is partly because of this ultra-modern feel that the neighbourhood attracts young professionals who want to live, work, and play in an urban centre. The majority of the residents are in their 20s and 30s, many single, most without children. It is a vibrant area full of social, dining, and shopping establishments that cater to a youthful crowd. With tons of bars, restaurants, brewpubs, sports bars, and quaint neighbourhood hangouts, you can expect to find good music, fun people, and great food any night of the week. The resto-bar, Locus 144 is a staple here. The soaring ceilings and open space are typical of the industrial design of the village and the bar is a popular gathering place for locals. Liberty Village is also very close to Toronto’s Entertainment District, Exhibition Place, Air Canada Centre, and the Rogers Centre. The area is quickly gaining a reputation for great nightlife, and is also becoming a shopping and cultural hotspot. It is brimming with unique urban furniture shops, design stores, art galleries, eclectic restaurants, hip cafes, and fashion boutiques. And, it’s super close to the shopping and entertainment, and music meccas of King St. West and Queen West.

Because the neighbourhood draws in a younger, sophisticated crowd, it isn’t as family oriented as other Toronto neighbourhoods, like Allenby. So, you’re not going to find any neighbourhood specific schools. There is a daycare centre though, and many nearby schools in neighbouring communities. Liberty Village Kids Arts Centre is a kid-centric learning facility, offering art classes for kids from junior kindergarten to grade five. There are also a few classes for teens and adults, so the whole family can get involved! To find out what schools are closest to the Liberty Village area, you can always get in touch with one of our expert team members. We’d be happy to provide you with any info you need.

It’s true that Liberty Village isn’t exactly known as a family neighbourhood, but more and more young families are moving in every day. Don’t expect to find a lot of play areas or social and educational centres for the kids though. Besides the lack of schools, there aren’t any libraries or community centres either. Liberty Village is also short on green space. But, residents can definitely take advantage of the nearby waterfront trails. Lake Ontario and its beaches are just minutes away. The waterfront trails provide a playground for adults and children alike; anyone can enjoy walking, running, cycling, rollerblading, or even a nice picnic on the beach. The trails might also be a smart option for city commuting, especially if you have a bike. While buses and the King St. West streetcar are within close walking distance, the streetcar has become somewhat of an issue with the locals. In response to the commonly over-packed transit line, Liberty Village tested out its own crowdfunded bus service a couple years ago, but legal hassles put a halt to it. Extra buses were added to the rush hour schedule, however, to help commuters.

There are streetcars on both Queen and King Streets, providing commuters with easy access to downtown. There is also a Go Transit station at Exhibition Station, just a short walking distance from the village. If you’re traveling by car, the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard are right there. Motorists can be downtown in minutes. The Lakeshore: 15-minute walk. Union Station: 20-minute streetcar ride, 10 minutes by car, 15 minutes by bike. Yonge and Bloor: 30-minute bus and subway trip, 20-minute drive, 27-minute bike ride