Sponsored post: Storwell Self Storage
Mimico is a wonderful waterfront community in southeast Etobicoke. With Kipling, the Humber River, the Gardiner and Lake Ontario as its boundaries, it’s filled with sought-after homes (both houses and condos), great restaurants and close proximity to great parkland. With plenty of new condos being developed (including this exciting community planned for the former Mr. Christie cookie factory property) and beautiful views of the lake, this area just keeps getting more popular.
The history of Mimico
The name “Mimico” is an adaptation of the Ojibwe name Omiimiikaa, which means “place of the wild pigeon.” It was founded in the early 1820s when prominent businessman William Gamble built a sawmill on the west bank of Mimico Creek. A small settlement was established for the sawmill workers and included Etobicoke’s first church, built in 1827.
In the 1890s, wealthy Toronto families began building summer homes in the area, and in 1906, when the Grand Trunk Railway opened the Mimico Yard, development accelerated to accommodate the people flooding to the area to work for the railway. Mimico remained independent until 1967 when it was amalgamated with the Township of Etobicoke.
The types of homes in Mimico
Mimico can be divided into three distinct sections. In its west end, you’ll find an industrial sector with factories, warehouses and stores.
Central Mimico is a quiet suburban area with a housing stock that includes Arts and Crafts or Tudor homes with generous lot sizes. There are also smaller bungalows, perfect for young families looking for starter homes. Many properties have been renovated or rebuilt, so there’s a wide range of house types available.
Photo credit: mimicohistory.blogspot.com
The third section is the one that runs along Lake Ontario and has mostly low-rise and high-rise apartment buildings and condos, as well as a few townhouses.
New development in Mimico
Mimico has seen a tremendous amount of development over the last few years, with new condos and townhouses popping up constantly. One hotly-anticipated development is Grand Central Mimico, which will have nine buildings spanning 1.85 million square feet, fully integrated with the Mimico GO train station. It’s being built with an environmental focus, and will have planter boxes, permeable pavement, green streets, green parking, and green roofs for a sustainable environment.
Moving to Mimico
Mimico is an attractive destination for all kinds of people. Young professionals, young families, upsizers and downsizers will all find plenty of options. And for those moving into the plentiful condos and apartments in the area and who need a little extra storage space, Storwell Self Storage has a facility right at Evans and Horner, just south of the Gardiner (along with two more locations in Mississauga and Scarborough). With a wide variety of unit sizes, Storwell can accommodate all your storage needs. Call or visit a facility in-person to demo a unit.
Storwell Self Storage
300 Evans Ave., Etobicoke, ON M8Z 6C8
Phone: (416) 259-5555
Mimico’s waterfront trails
One of the best parts about living in Mimico is how close you are to Lake Ontario. There are plenty of wonderful spots along the waterfront that are perfect for walking, cycling, swimming and taking in the beautiful lake views.
There's the Humber Bay Park East Trail, a perfect spot for walking, running or riding your bike. Follow the trail west, and you’ll eventually reach the Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat, a peaceful place where you can see up to seven different kinds of butterflies flitting around.
Further along the trail there’s Humber Bay Park West, home to the Mimico Cruising Club, which hosts cruising and racing events in the summer months. The trail ends at Etobicoke Point, which gives you a breathtaking view of the Toronto skyline and is particularly beautiful at sunset. Nearby, dog owners can head over to the Humber Bay Park West Dog Park, a great place to let your pooch run around.
Recreation facilities in Mimico
The Ford Performance Centre, located on Kipling just north of Lakeshore, is a state-of-the-art hockey facility with four ice pads. Open year-round, it’s where the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Marlies practice, and it’s got tons of great skating and hockey programs for kids, too, including ice time donated for community use.
Another good rec facility is Ourland Community Centre just off Islington. It has a full-sized gymnasium, two bocce courts, an outdoor pool, and after-school programs.
Parks in Mimico
While the waterfront is the main attraction in Mimico, there are also plenty of parks to make nature lovers happy. Amos Waites Park at Lakeshore and Mimico Avenue has a kids’ splash pad and an outdoor pool that’s the perfect hangout on scorching summer days.
A little further west, there’s Mimico Memorial Park. It has a well-maintained baseball diamond, a playground and the Mimico Tennis Club, which has three red clay tennis courts – the only ones of their kind in the city.
Schools in Mimico
The main high school is Lakeshore Collegiate Institute at Birmingham and Kipling, and elementary schools include:
John English Junior Middle School (French immersion)
The Best Restaurants in Mimico
Mimico’s food scene is rich and varied, with new restaurants starting up all the time. If you’re a pizza lover you’ll have a tough choice picking between FBI Pizza and Pizzeria Oro Di Napoli, located just minutes apart on Lakeshore Boulevard. For mouth-watering shawarma, falafel, and other Mediterranean specialties, pop by Mooring Eats on Lakeshore at Mimico Avenue.
Photo credit: Pizzeria Oro di Napoli
Royal York Meat Market is much more than just a local butcher shop. This family-run spot is known for quality offerings including free-range chicken, antibiotic-free meats, and other top-quality foods. And no conversation about food in Mimico is complete without San Remo Bakery. This Mimico institution is famous across the city for its amazing doughnuts, pastries, breads, sandwiches and hot table lunches.
Photo credit: San Remo Bakery
Is it time to make your move to Mimico?
There’s a good reason Mimico is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Toronto – actually, lots of good reasons. It’s got the waterfront, good schools, beautiful condos and great neighbourhoods to wander. If you’re looking to buy a home in Mimico, contact a Property.ca agent today!