Imagine living in a neighbourhood shaped by the legacy of a pioneering family. That’s Playter Estates.
Playter Estates is located in east Toronto. It is a desirable and family-friendly area. The neighbourhood has beautiful homes and excellent access to shops and transit.
But how did this area get its name? It all started with Captain George Playter. He was a United Empire Loyalist. In the 1790s, he emigrated from Pennsylvania to Canada. The Playter family received land grants on both sides of the Don River. This area was near Bloor Street.
Let’s focus on James Playter. James, George’s son, owned the land where Playter Estates exists today. However, it was James’s brother John who settled here. Later, John’s grandson, John Lea Playter, built the Playter Farmhouse in the 1870s. You can find it at 28 Playter Crescent.
Interestingly, the Playter family owned this charming brick home for many years. The surrounding land was farmland until 1912. That year, the area was developed into the Playter Estates neighbourhood we know today.
As you stroll through Playter Estates, notice the architecture. Many homes are Edwardian and Victorian styles built between 1912 and 1930. These houses have unique features. Look for slate roofs, fish-scale shingles and welcoming front porches.
Playter Estates is conveniently located near Danforth Avenue. There are many shops and restaurants there. The Carrot Common is a unique shopping destination. It features stores with a nature or health theme. The Big Carrot is a popular natural food market there.
The streets within Playter Estates also reflect the Playter family history. Two streets still bear the Playter name. These are Playter Boulevard and Playter Crescent. Ellerbeck Avenue is named after Sarah Ellerbeck. She married a Playter son.
Playter Estates has an enviable location. It provides inner-city living with easy access to amenities. You can easily walk to restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Also, city transportation is readily accessible.
Consider the Playter Farmhouse at 28 Playter Crescent. John Lea Playter built it on land granted to Captain George Playter in 1793. The land remained in the Playter family until 2006. The farmhouse has an unusual yellow brick arrowhead pattern. It also has alternating brickwork around the windows.
The Playter family were influential farmers and market gardeners. They contributed to East York’s business and politics. They were active in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Today, Playter Estates is a highly desirable neighbourhood. It has a rich history and strong community spirit. It continues to be a sought-after place to live in Toronto.