History
Mimico was originally known by the First Nations People as "Omimeca," meaning "the resting place of the wild pigeons." The Passenger Pigeon is now an extinct species whose memory lives on in the name of this community.
The present day Mimico neighbourhood began to be developed in the 1890's south of Lake Shore Boulevard, where many of Toronto's wealthiest families built their summer homes. Some of these estates are still intact however most were lost to development after World War II.
Mimico began to emerge as a year-round community in 1906, when the Grand Trunk Railway opened the Mimico Yard. This led to a building boom as houses were needed to accommodate the influx of workers who found employment at the Mimico Yard.
Mimico's meteoric growth led to its incorporation as a Town in 1917. Mimico retained its Town status until 1967, when it was amalgamated with the Township of Etobicoke which is now part of the City of Toronto.
Houses
Mimico has been labelled as an up and coming neighbourhood for many years now and while the growth may be somewhat slower than predicted there is no doubt that this is a neighbourhood on the rise. Already in 2013 there have been 103 homes sold. The market activity has been brisk with homes taking on average just 17 days to sell and achieving an average list to sale price ratio of 98%.
Corey Silver, Sales Representative with Remax Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage, confirms that "Mimico has shifted to a sellers market this year with many homes attracting multiple offers. A few houses in the summer - a traditionally slower time - sold over asking and broke new ground in pricing." Mimico remains affordable by Toronto standards with bungalows, one-and-a-half storey and semi-detached starter homes selling for between $360,000-$590,000.
Silver has noticed that the "Detached 2-storey homes are proving to be especially popular with homebuyers." These Mimico homes sell for between $600,000-$800,000. Mimico also has a plethora of newer townhomes selling in this price range, while newer custom detached homes built on lots where bungalows once stood are selling in the $800,000-$900,000 range.
Mimico's top selling points with homebuyers are its quick and easy access to downtown Toronto and its desirable waterfront location. The Mimico Go Train station will get commuters into downtown in approximately 10 minutes. The new linear park at the bottom of Mimico Avenue is part of the expanding Toronto waterfront trail. Mimico residents are embracing their revitalized waterfront.
For those on the fence about buying, Silver offers the following advice: "Mimico real estate values are clearly on the rise so now is a good time to get into the market. In Mimico you will get the best value for your dollar in terms of location, and size of home, compared to other waterfront neighbourhoods located this close to downtown Toronto."
Recreation
Located on the shore of Lake Ontario in Etobicoke, Mimico Waterfront Park connects people to the water across a lakefront area that historically has lacked public access to the waterfront. When completed in 2012 the park will provide 1.1 kilometer of linear waterfront park space between Norris Crescent Parkette and Humber Bay Park West. When complete this waterfront park will feature a boardwalk, a separate multi-use trail located along the backshore that provides cycling and in-line skating access adjacent to the boardwalk, small pockets of wetland habitat and landscaping and park lighting.
Restoration and shoreline enhancements to terrestrial and aquatic habitats were key elements of the park’s design and construction. Phase Two includes the creation of small pockets of wetland habitat and native plantings.
Mimico is well known for its sports clubs and recreational facilities. Much of this activity takes place at the Mimico Arena located off Royal York Road at Drummond Street. During the winter this arena is used extensively for hockey and skating programs and in the summer by the Mimico Minor Lacrosse Club. National Hockey League star Brendan Shanahan grew up in Mimico and played hockey and lacrosse at the Mimico Arena.
The John English Community School, located at 95 Mimico Avenue, offers preschool programs as well as a variety of sports and arts programs for children and adults. The Mimico Tennis Club, located at 29 George Street, is unique in that it has Toronto's only red clay surface tennis courts. The Lakeshore Lawn Bowling Club is located in Coronation Park off Royal York Road. Amos Waites Park at 2445 Lake Shore Boulevard West has an outdoor swimming pool. The Mimico Centennial Public Library is located at 47 Station Road. This library offers children's programming.
The Metropolitan Toronto Region Conservation Authority has recently established a wetland habitat in Humber Bay Park located along Lake Shore Boulevard West at Park Lawn Road. This peninsula park, joined together by a pedestrian bridge is teeming with birds including Canadian Geese, Swans, Mallard Ducks, Seagulls, and Red Winged Blackbirds. Humber Bay Park also features a pond for model boats and a fly casting pond. The Mimico Cruising Club, Etobicoke Yacht Club and Humber College Sailing School are all based in Humber Bay Park.
Etobicoke’s new MasterCard Centre For Hockey Excellence located at 400 Kipling Avenue, is the first community rink built in Toronto in the last 25 years. This state of the art , world class, four ice-pad facility will be open 365 days a year from 7am untill Midnight.
MasterCard Canada plans on donating 250 hours of ice time to the local community each year. They will sponsor a free community skate for families every Saturday from 2:15pm – 4:15pm from September through June and will provide additional ice time during these months to community groups. Ice time will also be made available to students on PD Days.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Marlies will be the major tenants in the The MasterCard Centre For Hockey Excellence, as they will use this centre as their primary training and practice facility. Hockey Canada’s Ontario office and the Hockey Hall of Fame’s research and archives division are the other high profile tenants. This centre will also be the home of the Etobicoke Dolphins, Canada’s second largest women’s hockey organization and the Faustina Sports Club.
This facility appears to be first class in every respect and will be a welcome addition to the local community and something all Toronto residents can enjoy and be proud of.
Transportation
The Royal York bus connects to the Bloor-Danforth subway line, while the Lake Shore Boulevard bus connects to Union station and the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line. Mimico also has its own Go Transit train station located off Royal York Road. It is approximately a fifteen minute ride from Mimico station to downtown Toronto's Union station.
Motorists can reach downtown Toronto in approximately ten minutes via Lake Shore Boulevard or the Gardiner Expressway.
Queensway motorists can travel to downtown Toronto's financial and entertainment districts in approximately ten minutes via the Gardiner Expressway. For commuters heading west of the city the Queen Elizabeth Way can be immediately accessed off Islington Avenue.
Bus service on Royal York Road and on Islington Avenue connect passengers to stations on the Bloor-Danforth subway line. The Islington station also provides an express bus service to the airport and a connection to the Mississauga Transit service.
Mostly Detached 3 bedroom two-storey homes.
Below is a sample of addresses in this area. If you want a detailed specific similiar list in your area please contact us. Thank You.
Simpson Ave, Royal York Rd, Lake Cres, Portland St, Kenny Ave, Symons St, Macdonald St, Lakeshore Blvd, Albert Ave, Grand Ave, Ourland Ave, Queens Ave, Cormier Hts, Eastbourne Cres, Manitoba St, Distin Ave, Murrie St, Milton St, Elma St, Struthers St, Ruby Lang Lane.
Mostly 1-2 bedroom condo apartments.
Below is a sample of addresses in this area. If you want a detailed specific similiar list in your area please contact us. Thank You.
Legion Rd, Lakeshore Blvd, Park Lawn Rd, Manitoba St, James Stock Path, Superior Ave.
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**Source - Your Guide to Toronto Neighbourhoods. Maple Tree Publishing**