Photo essay introducing you to our Toronto community - Yorkville

Muzeum is proud to call Yorkville our home, and in this week's blog post we wanted to share our love of Yorkville with a photo essay depicting the many sides of this bustling neighbourhood.

First, a bit of history: Yorkville got its name after the Town of York, the forerunner to the City of Toronto, and was incorporated as a Village in 1853. 

In the 1960s, Yorvkille was best known as a hippie haven, where it was not only home to pot-smoking Torontonians but also famous musicians and writers who frequented the clubs and bars. Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn, Neil Young, Margaret Atwood and many others came to Yorkville to share their art.

But the smokey haze gave way to high fashion and celeb sightings when Yorkville shifted to become known as a shopping mecca in the 1980's and 1990's. It's especially busy during the Toronto International Film Festivalin September, when many restaurants play host to actors, directors, and producers meeting for lunch or dinner.

The swanky neighbourhood is returning to its roots this summer as a hub for artists: in late June, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival moved to Yorkville for the first time, staging free and paid shows along the community's streets. Also, Yorkville Village Market, a summer-long farmers' market debuted earlier this summer and will take place every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m in the outdoor courtyard of Yorkville Lanes (136 Yorkville Ave. to be exact) just east of Avenue Road.

Muzeum set up shop in Yorkville at 14 Prince Arthur Avenue and we couldn't be happier to be part of a community thriving with bustling retailers, sensational restaurants, world-renown hotels and outdoor spaces attracting Torontonians across the city.

Below are several photos showcasing the splendor and diversity and street art of Yorkville, to give you a better sense of our neighbourhood. In a second Yorkville installment later this summer, we'll speak to the community's long-time residents to find out what makes Yorkville so special to them.

Torontonians enjoy an ice cream in Yorkville as a snazzy car attracts attention.

 Patio season is always in full swing in Yorkville



A view of Yorkville Village's signage from Avenue Street

The legendary rocks in Yorkville attract anyone who wants to relax, meet, sip coffee in an area where street benches quickly fill up.

On any given weekend you'll find Torontonians relaxing in the many open spaces in Yorkville, especially during the summer, such as this park on Cumberland Avenue

Unique sculptures dot Hazelton Avenue in Yorkville

Also on Hazelton Avenue, this sculpture of a Mountie with his dog companion stands sentry outside the gallery Miriam Shiell Fine Art.

A view of the Four Seasons Hotel from the corner of Bay and Yorkville