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Address report · Ward 13 Toronto Centre

21 Spruce St

21 Spruce St is in Cabbagetown-South St.James Town, on the City's Heritage Register. It's outside TRCA flood hazard areas and there are 7 planning applications nearby (two under appeal, two under appeal after approval, two waiting for a hearing date, one other).

Data as of Nov 8, 2026 · Every item lists its source

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Key findings
  • It is in a Heritage Conservation District (Cabbagetown South) (Part V).
  • Outside TRCA flood hazard areas.
  • 7 planning applications within 250 m: two under appeal, two under appeal after approval, two waiting for a hearing date, one other.
Planning proposals6within 250 m
Major crimes174within 500 m, 12 months
Nearest transit110 mBus 65
Garbage dayWednesdaynext: Nov 11
Gerrard StCarlton StParliament StSeaton StOntario StBerkeley StSpruce StSackville StDrovers LaneAberdeen AveGifford StNasmith AveSumach StMetcalfe St123456Map data: City of Toronto (Toronto Centreline)Gerrard StParliament StCarlton StBerkeley StSpruce StOak StSackville StDrovers LaneAberdeen AveMetcalfe St123456Map data: City of Toronto (Toronto Centreline)
The red dot is 21 Spruce St. The circle shows 250 metres, about a 3-minute walk. Numbers match the proposals in section 01.

01What’s planned near 21 Spruce St

7 active planning applications within 250 m (about a 3-minute walk): two under appeal, two under appeal after approval, two waiting for a hearing date, one other. That's more than at most Toronto addresses (the typical address has 1).

Nov
25
Nearby · 200 mCommittee of Adjustment hearing: Minor variance at 309 Carlton St2:00 p.m. · File A0701/26TEY

In progress

  1. 1
    Minor variance
    9 Spruce St · 44 m away
    Committee of Adjustment · Minor variance: permission to bend a zoning rule, such as height, size or setbacks

    The Committee of Adjustment approved it on Sep 1, 2021. It has been appealed to the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB), which will hold its own hearing and make the final decision.

    To construct a two-storey laneway suite at the rear of the existing two-storey detached dwelling.
    File A0004/21TEY · submitted Dec 24, 2020
  2. 2
    Official Plan / Rezoning
    509 Parliament St and 1 more address · 143 m away
    Official Plan / Rezoning: a request to change the Official Plan or zoning so something new can be built

    It has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (formerly the OMB), which will make the final decision.

    Zoning By-law Amendment law to permit the development of site for a 10-storey mixed-use building (38.6 metres) with retail at-grade (278 square metres) and 60 dwelling units. The western (Parliament Street) elevation of the existing 1½…
    All 2 addresses

    509 Parliament St · 505 Parliament St

    File 23 124360 STE 13 OZ · submitted Mar 17, 2023 · City record and how to comment
  3. 3
    Minor variance
    359 1/2 Sackville St · 182 m away
    Committee of Adjustment · Minor variance: permission to bend a zoning rule, such as height, size or setbacks

    The Committee of Adjustment approved it on Apr 27, 2022. It has been appealed to the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB), which will hold its own hearing and make the final decision.

    To construct a second residential building on the lot, having two storeies, in rear of the existing two-storey detached dwelling.
    File A0995/20TEY · submitted Oct 29, 2020
Show 3 more in progress
  1. 4
    Minor variance
    359 1/2 Sackville St · 182 m away
    Committee of Adjustment · Minor variance: permission to bend a zoning rule, such as height, size or setbacks

    The hearing was postponed. A new date hasn't been published yet.

    To construct a new second residential building ((two-storey detached dwelling (garden suite) located in the rear yard, abutting Spruce Street, as approved under Committee of Adjustment File A0995/20TEY)) with a basement, and a side…
    File A0546/25TEY · submitted Jul 18, 2025
  2. 5
    Minor variance
    393 Berkeley St · 200 m away
    Committee of Adjustment · Minor variance: permission to bend a zoning rule, such as height, size or setbacks

    The City has received it. A hearing date hasn't been set yet.

    CONSTRUCTION OF TWO STOREY LANEWAY SUITE (Height = 6.12m, Total Floor Area Above Grade = 156.63m2)
    File A0466/22TEY · submitted Apr 7, 2022
  3. 6
    Minor variance
    309 Carlton St · 200 m away
    Committee of Adjustment · Minor variance: permission to bend a zoning rule, such as height, size or setbacks

    A public hearing is set for Nov 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Neighbours can send comments or speak at the hearing.

    To alter the existing three-storey semi-detached dwelling by constructing a rear third storey addition with a deck (above the second storey portion of the dwelling).
    File A0701/26TEY · submitted Oct 1, 2026

Development Applications and Committee of Adjustment Applications, City of Toronto. A proposal that covers several addresses is listed once. Decided: development files submitted in the last 4 years; Committee of Adjustment decisions in the last 2 years.

02Safety near 21 Spruce St

Police recorded 174 major crimes within 500 m from Oct 2025 to Sep 2026: 104 assaults, 50 break-ins, 10 robberies, 7 thefts over $5,000 and 3 car thefts. Per resident, in Cabbagetown-South St.James Town in 2025, assaults, break-ins and robberies were above the Toronto rate; car thefts and thefts over $5,000 were below it. Police place each incident at the nearest intersection, so these figures describe the area, not this address.

Major crimeNear this addressreported within 500 m, last 12 monthsCabbagetown-South St.James Townper 100,000 residents, 2025Torontoper 100,000 residents, 2025
Assaults1041,079768Cabbagetown-South St.James Town is higher
Break-ins50321190Cabbagetown-South St.James Town is higher
Car thefts392225Cabbagetown-South St.James Town is lower
Robberies1014579Cabbagetown-South St.James Town is higher
Thefts over $5,00072361Cabbagetown-South St.James Town is lower

Thick bar: Cabbagetown-South St.James Town. Thin grey bar: Toronto. Source: Toronto Police Service Public Safety Data Portal, Major Crime Indicators (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026) and Neighbourhood Crime Rates. Reported incidents only; police place each incident at the nearest intersection. Five-year trends for Cabbagetown-South St.James Town

03Getting around from 21 Spruce St

The nearest subway station is Castle Frank Station (Line 2), about a 19-minute walk (1.2 km). Within a 5-minute walk there are 9 TTC stops served by routes 506 and 65, with about 3,210 departures on a typical weekday. The nearest GO train station is Union Station GO, 2.3 km away, with 354 train stops on a weekday.

Nearest subway station
Castle Frank Station 1.2 km

Source: TTC · Line 2 · about 19 min walk

Bus
65 110 m

Nearest stop: Parliament St at Carlton St.

Streetcars
506, 65 118 m

Nearest stop: Parliament St at Gerrard St East.

Streetcar
506 133 m

Nearest stop: Gerrard St East at Parliament St.

Nearest GO train station
Union Station GO 2.3 km

Source: GO Transit · 354 train stops on a weekday

TTC and GO Transit schedules for a typical weekday (Nov 11, 2026). Walking times are estimates.

04Schools and families near 21 Spruce St

These are the closest public and Catholic schools by distance. They may not be the schools assigned to this address: school boards set their own attendance areas, so check with the Toronto District School Board or Toronto Catholic District School Board.

Sprucecourt Junior Public School
Elementary · 252 m · TDSB · grades JK-8 · 320 students
Grade 6 reading 85%Grade 6 math 25%
Lord Dufferin Junior and Senior Public School
Elementary · 280 m · TDSB · grades JK-8 · 420 students
Grade 6 reading 80%Grade 6 math 30%
Winchester Junior and Senior Public School
Elementary · 470 m · TDSB · grades JK-8 · 480 students
Grade 6 reading 89%Grade 6 math 57%
Collège français secondaire
Secondary · 878 m · Viamonde · grades 9-12 · 155 students
Grade 10 literacy 100%
Jarvis Collegiate Institute
Secondary · 894 m · TDSB · grades 9-12 · 610 students
Grade 10 literacy 80%

Share of students meeting the provincial standard; the red tick is the Toronto average. Private schools within 1 km: National Ballet School - Margaret Mccain Acedemic Centre, National Ballet School, Liberty Prep School, Le College Francais - Carlton Campus, National Ballet School - The Shoe Room and 1 more. Source: Ontario Ministry of Education (2026), EQAO results.

Within 500 m (about a 6-minute walk): eight licensed child care centres, three EarlyON centres, no privately owned public spaces and two shelters or respite sites.

Licensed child care
The Yonge Street Mission / Davis Centre 183 m

270 Gerrard St E · 65 spaces · infant, toddler, preschool · in the $10-a-day program · fee subsidies

Licensed child care
Sprucecourt Child Care Centre 250 m

70 Spruce St · 56 spaces · kindergarten, school age · in the $10-a-day program · fee subsidies

Licensed child care
Buds And Blossoms 256 m

517 Parliament St · 32 spaces · toddler, preschool, school age · in the $10-a-day program

EarlyON centre
Sprucecourt EarlyON Child and Family Centre 250 m

70 Spruce St · free programs for children up to 6 and their caregivers

EarlyON centre
Lord Dufferin EarlyON Child and Family Centre 273 m

350 Parliament St · free programs for children up to 6 and their caregivers

EarlyON centre
101 Spruce St EarlyON Child and Family Centre 353 m

101 Spruce St · free programs for children up to 6 and their caregivers

Shelter or respite site
213 Carlton Street 256 m

213 Carlton Street · Mixed Adult · 25 beds

Shelter or respite site
Fred Victor Centre Transition to Housing Dundas St E 484 m

386 Dundas St E · Women · 37 beds

Show 1 more child care centre
Licensed child care
Lord Dufferin Community Day Care Centre 273 m

350 Parliament St · 140 spaces · kindergarten, school age · in the $10-a-day program

Source: City of Toronto Licensed Child Care Centres, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, POPS, and Daily Shelter Occupancy (Nov 6, 2026). Confidential shelter locations are not published.

05The building at 21 Spruce St

Building orders and notices
None on record This address

Source: Building Construction/Demolition Violations

Building permits, last 5 years
0 permits This address

The City has no building permits on record for this address. About 9 in 10 Toronto addresses also had none in the last 5 years.

Source: Building Permits · 0 on record

Heritage status
Part V · Cabbagetown South HCD This address

It is in a Heritage Conservation District (Cabbagetown South) (Part V). Exterior changes and demolition may need a heritage permit.

Source: Heritage Register

06Around the block

Short-term rentals7registered within 250 m

Stays of less than 28 days, like Airbnb. That's more than at most Toronto addresses (the typical address has 2).

Licensed rooming houses7within 250 m

Houses that rent individual rooms with shared kitchens or bathrooms. The City licenses them to enforce safety standards.

New storefront businesses3licensed within 250 m, last 90 days

Salon or personal services, Take-out or food shop, Laundromat or dry cleaner.

Source: Short Term Rentals Registration, Multi-Tenant (Rooming) House Licences, and Business Licences and Permits (storefront types; owners’ personal names are never shown).

07Risks and environment at 21 Spruce St

Flood and shoreline hazards
Outside This address

TRCA's maps show this address is outside the areas that could flood from rivers in a major storm (TRCA plans for a storm like Hurricane Hazel in 1954) and outside lake shoreline hazards. Basement flooding from overloaded sewers can still happen anywhere in the city.

Source: TRCA Regulation mapping 2025

Lead in tap-water tests, postal area M5A
3.0% of tests above Ontario's limit Your area · M5A

In postal area M5A, 4 of 134 home tap-water samples (3.0%) tested above Ontario's limit for lead (10 micrograms per litre). Across Toronto, 2.0% of samples did, so M5A is about the same as the city overall. Health Canada recommends a stricter limit of 5 micrograms per litre: 9 samples here (6.7%) were above it. These are voluntary tests, mostly from older homes, so they don't tell you about this house. Lead comes from old pipes and plumbing, not the City's treatment plants. If your home was built before the mid-1950s, you can get a free test kit by calling 311.

Source: Non Regulated Lead Sample · 134 tests, May 21, 2014 to Oct 15, 2026

Air quality now
2 · Low risk Your area

Air Quality Health Index from Environment and Climate Change Canada's Toronto Downtown station, 2.8 km away, measured 2:00 PM EST Sunday 8 November 2026. Forecast high for the next 24 hours: 2 (low risk). The scale runs from 1 to 10+; 1 to 3 is low risk.

Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada · hourly

TRCA mapping is for screening, not site-specific decisions. Lead results are voluntary samples from homes in the postal area, not this address.

08The neighbourhood: Cabbagetown-South St.James Town

Cabbagetown-South St. James Town had 11,020 residents in 2021. The median household income was $76,500, about the same as the typical Toronto neighbourhood ($85,000). 55% of households rent (typical neighbourhood: 46%). 39% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 27% of workers commuted by transit and 38% walked or cycled (typical neighbourhood: 26% and 5%). The most common first languages other than English and French are Spanish (3.2%), Pilipino, Filipino (2.9%) and Cantonese (1.6%). Source: 2021 Census; the next census was taken in 2026.

Residents (2021)11,020Cabbagetown-South St. James Town
Median household income$76,500typical neighbourhood $85,000
Households that rent55%typical neighbourhood 46%
Commute by transit27%typical neighbourhood 26%

In October 2025, the average rent for a two-bedroom in a purpose-built rental building in the former City of Toronto was $2,457, up 6% from a year earlier. Across Toronto: $2,055. 3.2% of these apartments were vacant. These are averages paid by all tenants, including long-term ones, across a large area; new listings usually cost more.

Average rent, October 2025Former City of TorontoChange in a yearCity of Toronto
Studio$1,526+2%$1,499
1 bedroom$1,914+4%$1,763
2 bedrooms$2,457+6%$2,055
3 bedrooms or more$3,1950%$2,361

Source: CMHC, Rental Market Survey (October 2025), purpose-built rental apartments. Adapted by My Address in Toronto.

How Cabbagetown-South St.James Town compares with Toronto’s 158 neighbourhoods →

09Quick answers about 21 Spruce St

Is 21 Spruce St in a flood plain?

No. TRCA maps it outside river flood and lake shoreline hazard areas. Basement flooding from sewers can still happen anywhere. Source: TRCA Regulation mapping 2025, as of Nov 8, 2026.

What is being built near 21 Spruce St?

There are 7 active planning applications within 250 metres (two under appeal, two under appeal after approval, two waiting for a hearing date, one other). The closest is at 9 Spruce St, 44 m away. Source: Development Applications; Committee of Adjustment Applications, as of Nov 8, 2026.

Is 21 Spruce St a heritage property?

Yes. It is in a Heritage Conservation District (Cabbagetown South) (Part V). Exterior changes and demolition may need a heritage permit. Source: Heritage Register, as of Nov 8, 2026.

How far is 21 Spruce St from the subway?

The nearest station is Castle Frank Station (Line 2), 1.2 km away (about a 19-minute walk). 9 TTC stops are within a 5-minute walk. Source: TTC and GO Transit schedules, as of Nov 8, 2026.

What schools are near 21 Spruce St?

The closest are Sprucecourt Junior Public School, Lord Dufferin Junior and Senior Public School and Collège français secondaire. These may not be the assigned schools; check with the school board. Source: Ontario Ministry of Education school information, as of Nov 8, 2026.

How much crime is there near 21 Spruce St?

Police recorded 174 major crimes within 500 m from Oct 2025 to Sep 2026: 104 assaults, 50 break-ins, 10 robberies, 7 thefts over $5,000 and 3 car thefts. Per resident, in Cabbagetown-South St.James Town in 2025, assaults, break-ins and robberies were above the Toronto rate; car thefts and thefts over $5,000 were below it. Police place each incident at the nearest intersection, so these figures describe the area, not this address. Source: Toronto Police Service, as of Nov 8, 2026.

When is garbage day at 21 Spruce St?

Collection is on Wednesdays. Green bin goes out every week; garbage and recycling alternate weeks. The next garbage pickup is Nov 18, 2026. Source: Solid Waste Collection Schedule, as of Nov 8, 2026.

Answers are generated from the data on this page and update when the data changes.

10From the archives

Spruce Street east from Rolston Street - widening
1948 · 21 m awaySpruce Street east from Rolston Street - wideningCity of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 372, Subseries 58, Item 1793
Corner of Dermott Pl. and Spruce St., looking north
1972 · 43 m awayCorner of Dermott Pl. and Spruce St., looking northCity of Toronto Archives, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 28, Item 16
St. Augustine's Anglican Church, Parliament St., n.e. corner Spruce St.; INTERIOR.
1903 · 90 m awaySt. Augustine's Anglican Church, Parliament St., n.e. corner Spruce St.; INTERIOR. Courtesy of Toronto Public Library
St. Augustine's Anglican Church, Parliament St., n.e. corner Spruce St.
1889 · 90 m awaySt. Augustine's Anglican Church, Parliament St., n.e. corner Spruce St. Courtesy of Toronto Public Library
St. Augustine's Anglican Church, Parliament St., n.e. corner Spruce St.; INTERIOR.
1910 · 90 m awaySt. Augustine's Anglican Church, Parliament St., n.e. corner Spruce St.; INTERIOR. Courtesy of Toronto Public Library
Corner of Parliament St. and Spruce St., looking east
1972 · 90 m awayCorner of Parliament St. and Spruce St., looking eastCity of Toronto Archives, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 31, Item 29
Spruce St, west to Parliament
1977 · 90 m awaySpruce St, west to ParliamentCity of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 62, Item 132
Spruce Street East from Parliament after widening
1949 · 90 m awaySpruce Street East from Parliament after wideningCity of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 372, Subseries 58, Item 2022
St. Augustine's Anglican Church, Parliament St., n.e. corner Spruce St.; choir boys (1905).
1925 · 90 m awaySt. Augustine's Anglican Church, Parliament St., n.e. corner Spruce St.; choir boys (1905). Courtesy of Toronto Public Library

Photo locations are matched from each photo’s title against City street and address data, so some may be off. Report a wrong location

21 Spruce St, Toronto M5A (Cabbagetown-South St.James Town): development nearby, crime, transit and schools · My Address in Toronto