Harbourfront Toronto

Your Typical Neighbour

Toronto’s Harbourfront is a neighbourhood in flux. Old (often retired) money meets new, young urban professional. People who want to live close to lakeside jogging routes. Plus a plethora of boat owners that you really ought to make friends with!

What We Love

Some of the city’s best in art galleries, culture, design and international festival flavour are right outside your door – and the Music Garden, Harbourfont Centre (with free concerts) and  CN Tower too. And the shortest walk possible to the lakefront brings solid bragging rights.

What We Don’t Love

If your building’s entrance is only accessible via Queens Quay, getting to Lakeshore or the Highway in peak tourism season can be painfully slow despite how close it is.

The Real Estate Scoop

Toronto’s Harbourfront lays claim to the largest concentration of luxury condominiums in the city, many of which were built in the 1980’s. They boast sprawling floor plans, extensive amenities and also some of the most spectacular views of the waterfront and city skyline that exist in the city.

Houses are not exactly common in this area; in fact, they are virtually non-existent. Density is what this neighbourhood is all about. A drive along Queens Quay looking north shows a healthy blend of the buildings that have appeared in the last decade, alongside a wealth of older existing condos. The newer builds are expanding the demographics in the neighbourhood as they offer smaller, more reasonably priced units to the younger buyer, while the older suites are larger with healthy price tags. Note that these 80’s-built luxury buildings often come with healthy condo fees as well. Make no mistake, these towers have been around for a while and the fees reflect their age. If you’re considering a purchase in any of the older buildings around Harbourfront, it’s especially important to explore status certificates and inquire about any looming special assessments that may be on the horizon.

This neighbourhood is going to continue to develop over time. Change have been constant over the last decade, and will continue as the city navigates its way through the long-standing Port Lands debate. New condo buildings can be seen popping up around the block, such as Empire Quay House Condos. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2024. That said, if you don’t mind the heavy recreation-inspired traffic in the summertime, there is nowhere else in the city where waterside living can leave you feeling like you’re in an Oceanside resort town!

Schools

There are a number of schools nearby, and all of the options will offer fine examples of the multiculturalism that is synonymous with living in Toronto.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

The Waterfront School
Island Public / Natural Science School

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

St. Mary Catholic School

Transit

Regular and express bus service, as well as streetcars connect to Union station and a wealth of other transit options located there. Close access to Lakeshore and the Gardiner Expressway that is admittedly quicker in the colder months.