The Annual Cabbagetown Tour Of Homes 2023

For those who are captivated by history and curious about architecture – if not entirely housing-obsessed, like I am – it’s a real treat when you get the opportunity to take a peek inside unique and historic homes.

After all, houses each have stories to tell, and opening the front door of a residence is a bit like opening the front cover of a book. This becomes even more true when the homes that catch your eye have unique features, character, charm, and history.

This is what’s so special about the annual Cabbagetown Tour of Homes, where you can explore some of Cabbagetown’s eclectic and architecturally fascinating domiciles. The 2023 tour is all set to roll on Sunday September 17, from 12:00pm – 4:00pm. Here’s their poster with the important details:

Supporting The Cabbagetown Preservation Association

This volunteer-run, self-guided annual tour returns year after year for a couple of reasons.

First, it draws attention to Cabbagetown’s gorgeous, aging housing stock, and second, it’s also a fundraiser for the Cabbagetown Preservation Association (CPA).

The Cabbagetown Tour of Homes began in the early 1970s as an event organized by realtors to showcase Cabbagetown’s Victorian architecture (which comprises “the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in all of North America” ^{– Wiki}). The original intent was to demonstrate the potential of the neighbourhood in those early days of gentrification, both as a means to attract investors and to convince Torontonians that these once-grand but now-crumbling gracious dwellings needed restoration and rejuvenation. Fast forward fifty years to today, and Cabbagetown has become a jewel among the patchwork of Toronto’s neighbourhoods.

* Photo courtesy of the Cabbagetown Preservation Association Instagram

The Cabbagetown Tour Of Homes

The Cabbagetown Tour of Homes features 9 residences annually, nominated by Cabbagetown residents and selected by the CPA. Included with your ticket is a map that will help guide you around the neighbourhood and through the tour. The brochure provides information about each of the homes, as well as points of interest in the neighbourhood. As an extra bonus, ticket holders are offered also discounts and deals at select local businesses. The tour is self-guided, so you can start and finish wherever you wish – and linger longer in the residences that really catch your eye.

One of the greatest allures of Cabbagetown is enjoying the serenity of its lush tree-lined streetscapes, the distinctive character of Victorian Bay and Gable Architecture, and the exceptional urban gardens you’ll see as you stroll. In fact, did you know that the CPA also has an annual garden competition called Streetscapes in Bloom? It happens every year in June!