After last week’s exciting announcement that Sage and the BREL Real Estate Team are coming to Dundas Street, we decided to travel to the west side and explore those hidden gems in the Junction neighbourhood. The area shaped like a triangle is roughly bounded by Dundas West, Annette Street and Runnymede Road and formed by three sets of railway tracks on the north, east and west sides.
In recent years, the gentrified neighbourhood has undergone a massive transformation with a boom of new developments, loft projects and independent shops attracting more families and hip young professionals. Spend a day in the Junction and discover what this unique neighbourhood has to offer and why it’s billed as the next Queen West or Liberty Village. Here are three things you probably didn’t know about this Dundas West community.
1. Time to cycle.
The West Toronto Rail Path is a new cycling trail in the area. The two kilometres path along the railway corridor extends from Dundas Street West to Cariboo Avenue with plans to expand the cycling and pedestrian multi-trail further downtown. The route offers a behind-the-scenes scenic tour of the city with a new art installation in the works and sculptures along the landscaped route.
2. Fly to the airport.
Getting to the airport from the west end has never been quicker thanks to the new Union Pearson Express. Opening this June, the rapid airport train is a quick walk from the Junction, and will eventually have a connection right at Dundas West station through an above ground pedestrian pathway at the Crossways. Get to the airport in about 25 minutes and bypass any traffic. Hooray!
3. You had me at ‘Summer Solstice Festival.’
The neighbourhood’s Summer Solstice Festival is an annual all-day, all-night party with art installations, buskers, and street vendors. Bask in the sun and play on the giant ferris wheel for this fabulous community event, June 20th from noon to midnight.
Photo by Michi McCloskey, Open City Projects
