It was during the 1920's that College Street's 'Little Italy', became recognized as the residential and commercial centre of Toronto's Italian community.

However, by the 1960's, many of Little Italy's residents began to move north to the the Corso Italia district on St. Clair Avenue West.

The Italian families that moved out of Little Italy were replaced by Portuguese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish families. This mix of cultures gives Little Italy the international flavour that it enjoys today.

In 1985, the local business association on College Street officially adopted the Little Italy name in recognition of the role this neighbourhood has played as the starting point for Italians in Toronto.

 Excerpt from: Your Guide to Toronto Neighbourhoods, by David Dunkelman, Maple Tree Publishing, Inc.

Little Italy is one of the most exciting areas of Toronto. No matter what time of day it is you will always find a buzz on College Street, whether it is the cafe loves reading a paper and enjoying a cappuccino or the martini sippers enjoying a social night out, Little Italy without a doubt has the European flair sprinkled throughout his College Street stretch.

As Little Italy's popularity grows it continues to push west. There are now cafes and eateries popping up near Dovercourt Road, for example The Common and Arabesque at Gladstone Avenue. Little Italy truly demonstrates Toronto's cultural roots.

The homes in the Little Italy neighbourhood are fabulous. The century homes on Markham Street, Palmerston Avenue and Euclid Avenue pay homage to the days gone by; we have begun to see these homes restored to their previous grandeur. 

For more information about Toronto Little Italy Real Estate please feel free to contact Ryan Roberts your Toronto residential real estate agent.