Welcome To
21 Blackburn St
A South Riverdale Home That Feels Good From the Start
Send This Listing To A FriendSome houses feel good the moment you arrive. This is one of them.
Set behind a small perennial garden and shaded by mature trees, 21 Blackburn St sits slightly away from the street, giving it a calmer entrance than you’d expect this close to everything. The little free library out front and the simple garden path set an immediate tone: warm, welcoming, and part of a neighbourhood that people genuinely care about.
Inside, the main floor is arranged in a way that just makes sense. The living and dining rooms share an open feel but are still their own spaces, so you’re not trying to relax in a room that feels like a hallway. High ceilings add breathing room, and the built-in shelving in the living area adds storage and character without taking over the space.
At the back, the renovated kitchen features two-tone cabinetry, herringbone tile, and a layout that cooks will appreciate. Everything has a place, the storage is well thought out, and the style is confident without trying too hard.
Upstairs, the second floor keeps things clear and simple. Two proper bedrooms—rooms that can actually function as bedrooms, offices, or guest rooms—sit alongside a four-piece bathroom that’s larger than what you usually find in homes this size. The engineered hardwood installed in 2024 ties the level together and gives it a cohesive, refreshed feel.
The backyard adds more usable space than you might expect from the front. The deck is wide enough for outdoor meals and casual gatherings, and the depth of the lot gives you privacy without demanding hours of maintenance. The deck surface was fully replaced in 2024—one of several thoughtful updates made over the past few years.
The basement has a decent ceiling height, and it’s set up for what most people actually need: laundry and storage. It easily handles off-season gear, tools, and anything you don’t want cluttering the main floors.
Other improvements—a replaced hot water tank, newer appliances, and a towel warmer that heats the bathroom very effectively—may not be dramatic, but they’re the kinds of updates that make everyday life smoother and more comfortable.
Outside the front door, you’re surrounded by the parts of South Riverdale that make the area so easy to live in. Riverdale Park—with its running track, tennis courts, splash pad, hilltop views, and winter tobogganing—is only moments away. Lady Marmalade is close enough that weekend brunch can become a habit. Gerrard’s Little Vietnam offers great food without the wait, Queen East adds cafés and restaurants, and the Danforth brings music, bars, and more options for nights out.
Transit and quick access to major routes make getting around simple. Plus, your morning coffee run is super simple with a Tim Hortons only a 1-minute walk away, right at the North end of the street.
For someone ready for something more grounded, 21 Blackburn St hits a rare middle ground: a home with character, useful updates, and a neighbourhood that adds real dimension to daily life.
See the Feature Sheet here.
5 Things We Love
- Over 9 ft high ceilings that lift the entire main floor. The extra height adds light, air, and a sense of ease. It makes the living and dining rooms feel more open without losing their definition.
- A renovated kitchen designed for real cooking. The two-tone cabinetry and herringbone tile add style, but the real win is the layout—it’s efficient, practical, and easy to work in. This is a kitchen built for weekday meals as much as weekend hosting.
- A bathroom that actually gives you room to breathe. Most houses this size settle for the classic 5×7 “hold your elbows in” setup. Not here. The four-piece bathroom upstairs is noticeably larger, genuinely functional, and makes morning routines far less chaotic.
- A backyard you’ll actually use. The deck is wide, private, and intentionally low-maintenance. There’s space for dinners outside, weekend coffee, or a couple of friends without feeling squeezed—and you won’t spend your summer managing it.
- A neighbourhood where you can walk to everything. Riverdale Park, Lady Marmalade, Gerrard’s Little Vietnam, Queen East, the Danforth, transit, restaurants, cafés—it’s all within reach. Daily errands and weekend plans don’t require a car or a schedule.
Floor Plans
3-D Walk-through
About South Riverdale and Leslieville
There are neighbourhoods that are easy to love at first sight, and then there’s Leslieville and South Riverdale—where love turns into loyalty. This pocket of Toronto’s east end has evolved into one of the city’s most magnetic communities, blending character, creativity, and convenience in a way that feels effortless.
What makes it different? It’s the balance. Tree-lined streets and converted lofts sit comfortably alongside design-forward condos like The Carlaw. There’s a relaxed, almost village-like vibe, but you’re never more than a few steps from something new to taste, see, or explore. People actually know their baristas here, and it’s not unusual for a brunch spot to have a lineup of locals before the doors even open.
Food is part of the DNA. From Piano Piano right at street level to nearby institutions like Maple Leaf Tavern, plus the endless choices along Queen Street East, you’ll never wonder where to eat—only how to decide. Cocktail bars, breweries, and coffee shops double as community hangouts, making nights out as simple as a stroll down the block.
And then there’s the lifestyle side: running groups cutting through tree-lined streets, cyclists coasting toward the lake, and farmers’ market bags filled with produce from local growers. Boutique fitness studios, galleries, and indie shops dot the neighbourhood, giving the area its design-savvy, creative pulse. Families, professionals, and long-time residents all overlap here, and the result is a neighbourhood that feels both lived-in and forward-thinking.
Proximity is another draw. Living here means quick access to downtown without the daily grind of downtown living. Transit, bike lanes (only 15 mins to downtown by bike), and major routes make commuting easy, but most days you’ll find what you need within walking distance. Parks, off-leash dog areas, splash pads, and patios keep weekends full without needing a plan.
In short: Leslieville and South Riverdale are places where daily life feels intentional. It’s not just about being close to the action—it’s about having a neighbourhood that makes the everyday better.
