The neighbourhood of Summerhill lies between Avenue Road and Mount Pleasant Road with Yonge Street running through the center of the community. It is a Midtown Toronto community of historic Summerhill homes, tree-lined interior roads and an abundance of green space that create a suburban atmosphere in spite of being so close to downtown Toronto.
The area was once part of the 200-acre estate of Charles Thompson, a transportation magnate. The original Summerhill referred to Thompson's Regency cottage built on a hill on his estate. Thompson’s heirs sold the acreage for residential development in the 1860s.
The community developed around the railway. In the 1880s, the North Toronto Railway station was located on Yonge Street. In the 1920s, Summerhill was the main Toronto station for Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1965, the Summerhill subway station was opened, creating renewed interest in Summerhill real estate.
The neighbourhood is conveniently located with good connections to the downtown area. Yonge Street, Avenue Road and Mount Pleasant Road lead to the downtown district. The Yonge-University-Spadina line stops at the Summerhill subway station which is walking distance from all homes in the community.
The original homes in Summerhill were constructed between 1880 and 1915. These structures were detached and semi-detached Victorian style homes and single-family Edwardian homes. However, these homes were not designed with a private drive, and street parking required a city permit.
In the 1980s and 1990s, new residential developments in Summerhill consisted of contemporary townhouses and a few luxury condominium apartments in low-rise buildings.
Summerhill residents can walk to the shopping district on Summerhill Avenue and Yonge Street. Other shopping options for Summerhill include the Yonge and Saint Clair retail area.
Rosehill Reservoir Park features a playground for children, a wading pool, reflecting pools and a waterfall in the upper section. The lower section has a foot path for jogging, walking and cycling. This park can be accessed through Summerhill Gardens
