BLUFFS WEST (CLIFFSIDE) OVERVIEW

Cliffside is an established, family oriented neighbourhood located along Toronto's eastern beaches, next to the majestic Scarborough Bluffs. Cliffside has many fine attributes including an appealing mix of older style houses, well treed streets, a vibrant shopping district located along Kingston Road and beautiful waterfront parks.

The major landmark in this neighbourhood is the St. Augustine Seminary whose soaring dome can easily be seen looking south towards the lake from Kingston Road. The St. Augustine Seminary has been training Roman Catholic priests since 1910.
BLUFFS WEST (CLIFFSIDE) HISTORY  

Cliffside was formerly known as Mortlake, in reference to an English hamlet outside London. The Mortlake name came into use with the opening of a post office in the Halfway House Hotel, which was situated on Kingston Road. This hotel was moved in 1962, and now assumes a prominent role in Toronto's historic Black Creek Pioneer Village, located at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway.

An enduring Cliffside landmark is the St. Augustine Seminary, which opened in 1910. St. Augustine was the first Canadian seminary for the training of English speaking clergy. This large edifice, with its Beaux Arts style architecture and soaring dome, is a powerful visual landmark on Kingston Road.
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In the early 1900's, the land west of the St. Augustine Seminary began to evolve as a summer cottage community. The first year round residences were built in the 1920's at the south end of Chine Drive. These charming Arts and Crafts style houses set the tone for the present day neighbourhood
BLUFFS WEST (CLIFFSIDE) HOMES  

Cliffside houses were built mostly in the 1920's, 30's, and 40's. These houses include an eclectic mix of architectural styles including Tudor, Cape Cod, Edwardian, Craftsman style bungalows and newer, contemporary homes.


Chine Drive south of Kingston Road is known for its fine collection of Tudor and Elizabethan style houses that are set back from the road in a forest like setting. Fishleigh Drive, located at the south end of this neighbourhood, offers homeowners magnificent views of Lake Ontario.

BLUFFS WEST (CLIFFSIDE) SCHOOLS  
Please note that the schools listed below have very definite enrollment boundaries. Prior to buying or renting, you should phone the school you are interested in enrolling your child, in order to confirm that they will accept children from the address you are considering moving to.
(P) Chine Drive, 51 Chine Dr., (416) 396-6155
(P) Cliffside, 27 East Haven Dr., (416) 396-6170
(P) John A. Leslie, 459 Midland Ave., (416) 396-6380
(P) Norman Cook Jr., 725 Danforth Rd., (416) 396-6485
(PH) R.H. King Academy, 3800 St. Clair Ave., E., (416) 396-5550
(PH) Cardinal Newman, 2675 Kingston Rd., (416) 393-5519
Legend:
(P) Public School
(PH) Public High School
BLUFFS WEST (CLIFFSIDE) RECREATION  

Scarborough Bluffs Park, located off Undercliff Drive, is a scenic lakefront park that offers many excellent picnic spots with panoramic views of Lake Ontario. The recreational facilities at this park include four tennis courts and a children's playground.

The Rosetta McClain Gardens, located south of Kingston Road off Glen Everest Road, features a pathway through a herb and scented garden, a perennial garden and a rose garden. This park is known for its spectacular views of Lake Ontario


The Toronto neighbourhood text profiles, sketches and maps displayed on this web site were originally published in "Your Guide to Toronto Neighbourhoods", are © Maple Tree Publishing Inc. and have been reproduced by Toronto Real Estate Board under license.