Old East York
A Historic and Family-Friendly Neighbourhood
Historical Background
Old East York, located northeast of downtown Toronto, is a vibrant and community-focused neighbourhood that offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern convenience. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, excellent schools, and well-maintained green spaces, Old East York attracts families, young professionals, and retirees alike.
Established in 1924 as part of the Borough of East York, Old East York has its roots in post-World War I development. Initially built as a working-class suburb for returning veterans, the area has evolved into a diverse residential community. The neighbourhood retains its historical charm through its architecture and streetscapes, reflecting its rich heritage.
Community
Old East York is known for its welcoming and tight-knit community. Residents actively participate in neighborhood initiatives, from community gardening projects to family-friendly festivals. The area’s diverse population includes families, young professionals, and long-time residents, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
Local schools, such as R.H. McGregor Elementary School and East York Collegiate Institute, are highly regarded, making the neighbourhood particularly appealing to families with children.
Architectural Appeal
The neighbourhood features a mix of architectural styles, including pre-war bungalows, charming brick homes, and newer infill properties. Its tree-lined streets and well-maintained houses contribute to the area’s appeal and make it an ideal place to settle down.
Old East York offers access to some of Toronto’s best green spaces. Taylor Creek Park, with its scenic trails and natural beauty, is a favourite among residents for walking, jogging, and cycling. Stan Wadlow Park, another local gem, features playgrounds, sports fields, and a swimming pool, catering to families and fitness enthusiasts alike.
Challenges & Opportunities
As Old East York continues to attract new residents, balancing growth with the preservation of its historical character remains a priority. Community organizations and city planners are working together to ensure sustainable development that respects the neighborhood’s charm and heritage.
Old East York stands out as a neighborhood that offers a harmonious blend of history, community, and modern amenities. Its family-friendly atmosphere, excellent schools, and access to parks make it a top choice for those seeking a suburban feel within the city. Whether you’re raising a family, enjoying retirement, or starting fresh in a new community, Old East York offers a welcoming and fulfilling living experience.
Our clients' experiences say it all
At Woodsmith, we believe our clients’ experiences highlight our commitment to exceptional customer service. Explore what real homeowners say about partnering with us to achieve their home renovation goals.
The Woodsmith team did a phenomenal job of rebuilding our house to match our dream on-time and within our budget. Chris (the owner) was always accessible, open to ideas and patient with questions. This made all the difference for us. He understands that a job of this scale is something that an owner will likely only do once, and he offered great advice and put all our fears at ease. We constantly knew exactly how we were tracking to our budget (to the dollar) and our job site was clean and orderly at all times (which our neighbours very much appreciated). We were nervous about our year-long adventure in renos (we've all heard horror stories), but Chris helped us spread out decisions over time and provided clear options for any challenges his team encountered, making that year a surprisingly pleasant one. All of the work was top-quality and has garnered unsolicited positive comments from anyone who sees our home (including other contractors working in our neighbourhood). I have no problem recommending Woodsmith; you will be in very good hands.
Dave Duncan
We were very pleased with the results of our renovation project completed by Chris and his team at Woodsmith Construction. As well as a great end-product, Chris provided excellent customer communication services throughout the whole process that were greatly appreciated! We would have no hesitation in recommending Woodsmith Construction and in fact have already booked them for a second project.
Lynn
We had a great experience working with Chris at Woodsmith Construction. He is honest, transparent, realistic, easy to get in touch with and makes himself available to his clients whenever they need him. I would gladly recommend Woodsmith Construction to anyone doing a renovation as Chris made a complicated process a positive experience.
Matthew Bernstein
We worked with Chris Smith and Woodsmith Construction Inc. on the design for a garage addition, and the experience was fantastic. The project included adding attic trusses to create a new walk-in closet and laundry room that seamlessly connected to our existing main bedroom. Chris’s goal was to make the addition feel like it had always been part of the home, and he absolutely nailed it.From the start, Chris took the time to understand what we needed and came up with a design that not only maximized the functionality of the space but also kept the style consistent with the rest of the house. He paid close attention to every detail, from the layout to the finishes, ensuring everything worked perfectly with our main bedroom.The design makes such smart use of the space, and it feels like a natural extension of the home rather than an afterthought. Chris was great to work with—responsive, creative, and incredibly knowledgeable. He even provided advice on how to approach the construction phase, which made us feel confident moving forward.If you’re looking for someone to bring your vision to life with a thoughtful and practical design, we highly recommend Chris Smith and Woodsmith Construction. The design he created for us has truly enhanced our home. Our construction is well under way and we are already seeing the great design come to life!
Steve F
Woodsmith Construction completed a project for us in a timely and professional manner. The quality of their workmanship is superb. Communication between them and us was informative, courteous and collaborative. We would highly recommend them.
Rick Wilson
Woodsmith Construction Inc. recently completed a full-home renovation on our place, including underpinning and adding a third floor. We couldn't be happier with the results and the level of service that we received from Chris and his entire team. Chris is an absolute professional who is extremely knowledgable, dedicated to his craft and was exceptionally responsive at all points in the project to all of our questions and concerns. For us, this timely communication provided a level of comfort and assurance - I cannot imagine doing a project of this scale without it! During the project, the worksite was kept so clean - our neighbours consistently commented on how great and respectful the team was. We were able to complete a huge project with very little tension and to me, that speaks volumes about the manner in which the project was carried out. In terms of the results, we are thrilled. The workmanship, detail and solid construction of our home are all that we hoped for. This workmanship and level of service continued through the final stages of the project, when we were completing the finishing touches. Chris ensured that every small detail was arranged for and completed. Obviously, we highly recommend Woodsmith Construction and are grateful to Chris and his team for the amazing work, professionalism and service they provided.
Natalie Zawadowsky