Living in Guildwood Village
Guildwood Village is one of Toronto’s most beautiful and inclusive neighbourhoods. The main entrance to the Guildwood neighbourhood is marked by a formal stone pillar and cast iron gateway, situated at Kingston Road and Guildwood Parkway.
History of Guildwood Village
The history of Guildwood Village revolves around The Guild Inn which was founded in 1932 by Rosa and Spencer Clark as a retreat for artists and craftsmen. “The Guild of All Arts,” as it was then known featured workshops and studios, in a picturesque setting atop the Scarborough Bluffs. During World War II, The Guild Inn was used as an official naval base called “HMCS Bytown II, and then later as a specialized military hospital known as “Scarborough Hall.” After the war, The Guild Inn was returned to the Clarks and its popularity rose to new heights. In the 1950’s rising taxes forced the Clarks to sell 400 acres of their property to the developers who built the present day Guildwood Village neighbourhood. In 1978 the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority purchased the remainder of the Guild Inn estate, thus preserving its beauty for future generations to explore and enjoy.
Homes in Guildwood Village
Guildwood Village features an excellent mix of houses, including bungalows, split-level and detached two-storey homes built in the 1950’s and 60’s, and newer custom designed homes . Many Guildwood Village houses feature front porches that look out onto the tree-lined streets and lush gardens that are trademarks of this neighbourhood. Also noteworthy are the many houses situated on the south side of Guildwood Parkway that command a spectacular view of Lake Ontario.
When Guildwood Village was developed a bylaw was in place stipulating that tall tress were not permitted to be removed from properties. So while the housing stock generally dates from 45-60 years old, many of the trees in the neighbourhood are much older, which accounts for the picturesque beautiful tree canopy found throughout the neighbourhood. The stretch of Guildwood Parkway west of Livingston Road contains a mix of townhouses, multi-plex dwellings, and low-rise apartment buildings. There is also a luxury condominium apartment building just south of Kingston Road, at the entrance gates to this neighbourhood.
Lifestyle in Guildwood Village
The Guildwood Shopping Plaza located at the south-east corner of Guildwood Parkway and Livingston Road, serves the immediate needs of the residents of this community. This shopping plaza has an upscale tone and friendly neighbourhood appeal. The mix of stores here includes a large supermarket, a pharmacy, a barber shop, a bakery, a bank, a beauty salon, a travel agency, a postal outlet, a veterinarian clinic, and professional and medical offices. The Guildwood Public Library is also located at this shopping plaza.
Recreation in Guildwood Village
The picturesque Guild Inn gardens are decorated with sculptures and architectural remnants from Toronto’s past. A promenade on these grounds leads to the Scarborough Bluffs, overlooking Lake Ontario. The Guildwood Park also features nature trails that wind their way through a majestic century old Carolinian forest. The parkland of the Guild Inn (Inn currently closed with future plans under review) is a focal point of the community. These grounds include important architectural artefacts from across Toronto that have found a home here. In the summertime the Guild Inn hosts an Art in the Park show as well as live outdoor theatre productions.
Transportation in Guildwood Village
Guildwood has its own Go Train station which is part of a Lakeshore service that links up with Union Station in downtown Toronto. it is a 20 min GO train ride to Union Station. Bus routes that wind through this neighbourhood connect transit users to the subway system. Motorists can get to downtown Toronto in approximately twenty-five minutes via Kingston Road.
