The neighbourhood was previously an independent city called West Toronto, that was also its own federal electoral district until amalgamating with the city of Toronto in 1909. The main intersection of the area is Dundas Street West and Keele Street. The stockyard is the northeastern quadrant of the neighbourhood.

Much of the lands has been redeveloped with new housing and retail uses. The main stockyards site is now the location of a large bloc of big-box stores, including Metro, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Best Buy, Rona, Staples, and Nations Fresh Foods.