Bridle Path, Toronto

Bridle Path
—  Neighbourhood  —
A typical Bridle Path home under construction
Coordinates: 43°44′06″N 79°22′24″W / 43.735°N 79.3733°W / 43.735; -79.3733
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
City	Toronto
Community	North York
Changed Municipality	1922 North York from York 1998 Toronto from North York
Government
- MP	Rob Oliphant (Don Valley West)
- MPP	Kathleen Wynne (Don Valley West)
- Councillor	Clifford Jenkins (Ward 25 Don Valley West)

The Bridle Path is an upscale residential neighbourhood in the former city of North York, now part of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that is characterized by large multi-million dollar mansions and two to four acre (8,000 to 16,000 m²) lot sizes. It is often referred to as "Millionaires' Row". It is the most affluent neighbourhood in Canada by household income, as well as property values^{[citation needed]}.

Although "The Bridle Path" is in fact the name of a road in the area, the term generally applies to the surrounding neighbourhood as a whole. It is generally bounded by The Bridle Path on the north, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on the south, Bayview Avenue on the west and Leslie Street on the east. Few roads pass through the area, contributing to the area's exclusivity. House prices in the Bridle Path are varied, but most of the houses in this area sell for well in excess of a million dollars. It is a secluded neighbourhood, surrounded by the Don River Valley and lush parklands.

The Bridle Path was little more than farmland until 1929, when the Bayview Bridge was constructed across the steep (West Branch) Don River Valley. It was at that point that the area was first considered for residential development. Hubert Page, a Toronto-based land developer, envisioned the Bridle Path as an "exclusive enclave of estate homes" and he built the neighbourhood's first home, a Cape Cod Colonial style home at 2 The Bridle Path in order to spark interest in the development.

The street's name is frequently misspelled as "The Bridal Path" by those who are unfamiliar with the history of the area. The actual "Bridle Path" name came about as early plans for the neighbourhood included an elaborate system of equestrian bridle paths. While the paths have since been paved over, their legacy remains in the Bridle Path's wide streets and in the name of this elite community.

The Bridle Path has been home to media mogul Moses Znaimer and convicted businessman Conrad Black. Celine Dion also owns a home on Bridle Path although her primary residence is in Montreal. Prince was said to have purchased a home in the Bridle Path for $5.5 million, although his recent divorce, concert tour rigours, and weight loss have meant few sightings of him. A home located in this area was used in the movie Mean Girls as Regina George's house.

References

• Toronto Neighbourhoods Guide - The Bridle Path
• Map of the Rich

		St. Andrew-Windfields
	Lawrence Park		Don Mills
		Bridle Path
		Sunnybrook