Welcome to Birdle Path
The Bridle Path isan historically-rich neighbourhood defined by its gorgeous mansions and lush landscapes. The neighbourhood’s expansiveness called for an elaborate system of equestrian Bridle Paths, which have long since been paved over. Their legacy remains, however, in the Bridle Path’s unusually wide streets and in the neighbourhood name. Surrounded by great shopping, excellent schools, and the city’s main transportation arteries, this neighbourhood remains home to Canada’s elite.
Today’s Bridle Path neighbourhood could hardly have been envisioned by Alexander Milne, who settled on what isnow Edwards Gardens in 1827. Milne operated saw and wool mills on the banks of Wilket Creek until 1832, when a dwindling water supply forced Milne to move east to a mill site along the Don River. Until the early 1900’s, the Bridle Path remained farmland. It wasn’t until 1929, when the Bayview Bridge was constructed over the steep Don River Valley, that this area was considered for residential development.
Hubert Daniel Bull Page, a Toronto-based land developer, was one of the founders of the present day neighbourhood. Page envisioned the Bridle Path asan exclusive enclave of estate homes. Inan effort to spark interest in his subdivision, Page built the Cape Cod Colonial style house in 1929 at number 2 The Bridle Path. His plan worked. Often referred toas“Millionaires’Row”,The Bridle Path is currently the most affluent neighbourhood in Canada as measured byhousehold income andin terms of property value.
One of the very few areas in Toronto where you can find estate properties over an acre in size, it’s not uncommon to see these high end properties valued at more than ten million dollars. The grand homes between Post Road and Park Lane Circle are situated on one to six acre lots, featuring stone and cast iron gateways. The typical Bridle Path estate offers a wide range ofluxury features - both exterior and interior - from pools and tennis courts to dance floors, personal gyms, and home theatres.
The eclectic mix of architectural styles found here includes Georgian, Colonial, Greek and Tudor Revival, Italianate, Neo Gothic, California bungalows and futuristic modernist style houses. The French Chateau-inspired luxury condominium at One Post Road isan exclusive building with only 42 units - each of which has private elevator access. Chedington Place Condominiums,situated on the north-east corner of Bayview and Lawrence Avenues, also feature private elevators and spectacular ravine views.
Bridle Path residents can walk to the gorgeous Edwards Gardens, home of the Toronto Botanical Garden, which is one of Canada's finest public gardening resource centres. Edwards Gardens contains rockeries, perennial gardens, a pond, waterfalls, and an impressive rose garden. The Edwards Gardens trail is a nine kilometre paved trail that extends through Sunnybrook Park, featuring sports fields and riding stables.
Bridle Path residents shop, play, and educate their children along Bayview Avenue. The upscale York Mills Shopping Plaza offers vintage wines, imported cigars, swiss chocolate, a variety ofrestaurants and fabulous cafes. The posh Toronto Granite Club offers members a variety offirst-class services and the area’s excellent private schools include The Toronto French School and Crescent School for boys.
