Old North

Century homes and canopy-covered streets between downtown and Western.

Old North is the kind of neighbourhood people picture when they think of London as the Forest City. Tall shade trees arch over quiet streets lined with brick homes, many built more than a century ago, and front porches still get plenty of use on summer evenings. Smaller pockets within the area, such as Bishop Hellmuth, St. George-Grosvenor and Broughdale, each have their own feel, but they share the same mature trees and established character.

Location is a big part of the draw. Downtown, Western University and the riverside paths of Gibbons Park are all close by, and the shops and cafes around Richmond and Oxford streets cover everyday needs. Buyers here are usually looking for heritage detail, a walkable lifestyle and a strong sense of community, and the neighbourhood delivers all three. It suits families, academics and anyone who wants city convenience with an older neighbourhood's charm.

At a glance

Where it is

North of downtown, generally described as starting around Oxford Street and running north toward the Thames and Western's campus, with Adelaide Street usually given as the eastern edge. Exact boundaries vary from source to source.

Best for

Families and professionals who want a character home, walkability, and an easy trip to Western University, the hospitals and downtown.

The homes

Mostly single-detached houses, many of them century homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s, typically brick two- and two-and-a-half-storey houses, with some duplexes and low-rise apartments mixed in. The Bishop Hellmuth Heritage Conservation District sits within the area.

Landmarks

Gibbons Park, Doidge Park, Thames Valley Parkway, Western University (next door), Richmond Street shops near Oxford Street, St. Joseph's Hospital (nearby)

Getting around

Walkable to downtown and Western. LTC buses run on Richmond Street and Adelaide Street, and the Thames Valley Parkway follows the river through Gibbons Park.

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