Regal Heights Toronto Apartments, Condos and Houses for Rent

An upper-middle-class neighbourhood sitting atop the western side of the Davenport Escarpment, Regal Heights is known for its panoramic views of Toronto’s skyline. The area has a long, fascinating history, dating back over 12,000 years, to when it was the location of a prehistoric lake. While the lake disappeared long ago, its edge is still marked by the 75-foot high Davenport Hill, one of Regal Heights’ most prominent natural features. Prior to the European colonization of Canada, Native communities created a pathway through the Regal Heights region, allowing for travel between the Humber and Don Valley rivers. That pathway was later turned into Davenport Road. Regal Heights entered Canadian art history in the 1900s, becoming a favourite subject for Group of Seven painter, Lawren Harris. Today, the neighbourhood has developed into an in-demand, picturesque community in the midst of Toronto’s Corso-Italia region, taking pride in offering locals spectacular views, excellent shopping areas, and a supportive residents’ association.

The market, at a glance:

Avg. rent by housing type & size

Studio/Bachelor: $1,063

1-bedroom: $1,877

2-bedroom: $2,000

3-bedroom: $3,657

Avg. rent compared to other Toronto neighbourhoods:

Regal Heights is 29% higher than TO average

Regal Heights Rental Market: Having Regal Heights houses for rent has created a lucrative real estate market, but it can be costly to jump into. It’s common for homes in this area to sell for well over a million dollars. While rents are not the highest in the city, they remain significantly over the Toronto average. As houses dominate the region, portions of or a room within a private home, are a significant portion of the rentals available.

Typical housing type:

Turn of the century, detached homes.

Regal Heights is a warm, welcoming neighbourhood in one of Toronto’s most picturesque settings. Here, residents greet one another on the streets and continually work together on area improvements. Gardening is an important aspect of Regal Height’s community life. In fact, the Regal Height Residents’ Association’s gardening committee has won awards from Toronto’s Green Committee. When not engaged in community initiatives, local can often be found taking advantage of their neighbourhood’s glorious views by walking, jogging, or running through the area. In the evenings and on weekends, locals often head up to St. Clair Avenue West for some fine dining and boutique shopping.

The biggest highlight of the Regal Heights’ area is the Davenport escarpment, which provides spectacular views of the rest of Toronto, particularly downtown. The neighbourhood has two schools and a branch of the Toronto Public Library, which includes the restored George Agnew Reid and Doris McCarthy murals. There are boutiques, shops, and a smattering of restaurant options up on St. Clair Avenue West. Also on St. Clair Avenue West, just outside Regal Heights, is a large Loblaws with a subway station below it. For a unique afternoon, head to Davenport Road to check out the shoreline of the prehistoric lake or walk around the neighbourhood, spotting all the areas painted by Group of Seven artist, Lawren Harris.

Who lives here: As an upper-middle-class area, Regal Heights’ residents tend to be professionals with higher than average incomes. The neighbourhood used to be considered an Italian community, but has become more diverse in recent years, developing a significant Latin American population. Regal Heights’ residents are known for being community minded, looking after both one another and the neighbourhood. Notable locals and previous locals include: former Toronto mayor, Nathan Phillips; long-distance swimmer, Marilyn Bell; and Olympic athlete, Charmaine Crooks.

Perfect for: Professionals with a community spirit and a love of breath-taking views.

Not-so-perfect for: Lower-income families.