Of all the neighbourhoods in the GTA, there’s something about Cabbagetown that makes it feel the most “Toronto.” As we’ve discussed on previous Pro Roofer blog posts, part of it is the many Victorian style bay and gable houses with big windows. Adjacent to Riverdale Farm, the streets are paved with cobblestone and open out into a beautiful courtyard style park. Cabbagetown also comprises community housing and apartment buildings with flat roofs, making it a neighbourhood that represents Toronto’s architectural diversity. As as an expert roofing company in Toronto and the GTA, we’ve worked on many historic and modern houses in Cabbagetown over the years, and we always enjoy its warm, welcoming atmosphere.
In this post we’ll discuss some of the more interesting points regarding Cabbagetown roofs and also offer up a few points of interest in the neighbourhood.
Cabbagetown is a great place to go for a wander and get a little bit lost. There’s the fantastic Jet Fuel Coffee where you can grab a cup of java, and Izakaya Kingyo has some of the best Japanese food in the city. Once you’ve got some food and coffee in you, get lost down some side streets and check out the unique architecture.
The steep slope of many Victorian roofs and the area are adorned with extremely ornate bargeboards carved with great care. Especial in December, with a bit of snow, some of the houses look a bit like gingerbread houses and you might feel like you’re in a little village in Switzerland. While the sharp, dynamic slope of these Victorian roofs is pleasing to the eye, it would certainly be a slippery surface for Santa Claus to tread on! While these historic roofs are very beautiful they also require a decent amount of upkeep to stay functional – if you require roof repairs in Toronto or the GTA for your historic roof, don’t hesitate to give us a shout!
The nearby Toronto Necropolis is a very cool place to visit, provided that graveyards don’t creep you out. The ancient chapel is a great example of high gothic Victorian architecture, and the wooden entryway showcases that stylized bargeboard detailing writ large. Many individuals from Toronto’s colourful history are buried in the necropolis, it’s a great place to go and connect with the past.
Across the street at Riverdale Farm, some of the asphalt shingled roofs are covered in moss and in need of repair. However, if the barns are housing pigs rather than humans, keeping out the wet may not be as much of a priority.
As with any neighbourhood in the city, some old handyman specials have been torn down and replaced by slick modern homes that list at astronomical price points. While this trend is slightly disruptive to the cohesive aesthetic of the neighbourhood, a flat roof is extremely practical and allows for additional space in the interior of a house. If you happen to be the owner of one of these more modern flat roofed homes and you are experiencing problems with your flat roof in Toronto or the GTA (or Cabbagetown, obviously), our technicians can be on sight in no time.
There you have it – the wonders of Cabbagetown. Take your family for a stroll this winter and experience the GTA’s most “Toronto” neighbourhood.