Nestled east of Toronto’s Don River, Leslieville is one of the city’s most vibrant and charming neighbourhoods. Bordered by the CN railway line and Gerrard Street to the north, Empire Avenue to the west, Eastern Avenue to the south, and Coxwell Avenue to the east, Leslieville is both historic and ever-evolving.
Just west of Leslieville, between Carlaw Avenue and the Don River, is Riverside—a beautiful slice of Queen Street East steeped in Toronto history. While many locals refer to the entire area as Leslieville, it’s actually Riverside that appears on 19th-century maps and documents. It’s a name that tells a deeper story.
A Neighbourhood on the Rise – But Proud of Its Roots
In 2005 when the New York Times called Queen East “the new Queen West,” and the vibe shifted. When Starbucks opened at Queen and Logan, we knew change had arrived—and fast. Gentrification took hold quickly, bringing trendy new businesses and renewed interest in this formerly industrial neighbourhood.
Leslieville is continually labeled as “The next big thing” but we would rather it not be. We’re happy just the way we are 🙂.
Creative, Artistic, & Full of Life
Leslieville is home to a thriving community of artists, musicians, designers, and photographers. The neighbourhood’s creative spirit is reflected in its eclectic mix of:
- Vintage furniture shops
- Retro boutiques
- Design-forward fashion stores
- Indie cafés and bakeries
- And some of Toronto’s best restaurants (yes, you’ll want to book ahead)
A Snapshot of the Past
Leslieville began as a small village in the 1850s, growing around the Toronto Nurseries owned by George Leslie and his sons. The community is named in their honour. Back then, most residents worked in gardening or at the area’s brick-making factories.
Alexander Muir, the composer of The Maple Leaf Forever, was the first principal of the Leslieville Public School, one of the first buildings in the village. Muir was inspired when a brilliant maple leaf fell on his jacket from a Leslieville tree. That tree is still standing today and has become a famous & beloved landmark in the community.
For much of the 20th century, South Riverdale (which includes parts of Leslieville) was home to heavy industry, including metal processing and leather tanning. That legacy left behind contaminated sites—like the A.R. Clarke Tannery, which infamously burned for days in 2000, releasing toxic ash into the community.
The Evolution Continues
Today, those former industrial zones are either being cleaned up or repurposed. The departure of factories has greatly improved air quality and green space, making the neighbourhood much more attractive to homebuyers. Still, Leslieville holds onto its working- and middle-class roots.
Adding to the cool factor, major film studios like Cinevillage, Showline Studios, and Pinewood Toronto Studios have taken up residence in South Leslieville. It’s not unusual to spot a Hollywood actor grabbing a coffee on Queen East!
Thinking of Moving to Leslieville?
Whether you’re already a proud Leslievillian, a long-time Riversidian, or just exploring the area for the first time—welcome! You’re going to love it here.
And, If you are wondering who we are – we are local realtors that love our neighbourhood! We’re a team of passionate, local real estate agents who live and work in the community. We know every street, every hidden gem, and every reason why Leslieville is one of the best places to call home in Toronto.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the area, reach out for a no-pressure, no-obligation chat. We’d love to connect and share what makes this neighbourhood so special.
Who are Matt & Ben?
Matt Casselman & Ben Ferguson are seasoned Real Estate professionals with over 30 years of combined real estate experience. They take great pride in their thorough knowledge of Toronto’s East End. Matt & Ben have been the top real estate team RE/MAX’s Leslieville and Riverside office since its opening.They’ve successfully produced results in the top 1% ranking of all Realtors on the Toronto Real Estate Board.
Matt & Ben are part of the formidable RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd Brokerage, which is consistently in 1st place and outperforms all other brokerages in the area. RE/MAX Hallmark commands a market share in the east end of 38%. See the statistics here. Matt & Ben are regularly featured as one of the top 100 RE/MAX teams in Canada.
Prior to real estate, as young entrepreneurs in their teens, Matt & Ben started their careers in the music and nightclub industry. Matt is considered a celebrity amongst some and known by his alias dj Matt C. Ben is a networking and social media guru known to find innovative and unique ways to promote the homes they have for sale. Matt and Ben are extremely well connected to many prominent people in the city of Toronto. They have fostered precious industry contacts and business expertise – yielding results in Real Estate sales which are second to none.
Matt & Ben are very respected among their peers and always treat their clients with sincere professionalism, respect and kindness.
Very connected and experienced – put the Matt & Ben team to work for you!
