Townhouses For Sale in Central, Ajax

The 1970s core and Pat Bayly Square

Central Ajax filled with subdivisions in the 1970s, as the planned postwar town expanded north of the highway. Shopping centres appeared by 1970 and retail grew through the 1980s, so this part of Ajax has long been where the town shops.

More recently, Pat Bayly Square, a downtown project built under a 2012 agreement with a private developer, opened in September 2018, adding a more urban piece to the core. It's named after the town's first mayor, and it gives nearby townhouse owners a short walk to downtown amenities.

Older complexes and newer infill around Harwood

Central's townhouse supply is a mix. Older condo complexes, such as those around Angus Drive, date from the town's main growth years and sit on shared internal roads with common parking. Newer freehold and POTL rows, such as Cooperage Lane, fill infill parcels with modern construction.

That mix lets buyers choose between the space and lower entry point of an older complex and the condition and finishes of a newer row. In an older complex, review the status certificate and reserve fund study carefully; in a newer row, confirm the POTL fee and Tarion history.

What to know before buying near the downtown

• Kingston Road construction. The Durham-Scarborough bus rapid transit project has a Harwood station planned, and the Rotherglen Road to Harwood section was scheduled from 2025 to 2027. Expect lane changes nearby.
• Intensification. Ajax's downtown is gradually getting denser. Check the town's development applications for any nearby proposals before you buy, especially if a vacant or commercial site is next to the complex.
• Parking in older complexes. Shared parking courts can be tight. Confirm how many spaces come with the unit and the rules for visitors.
• Heating and utilities. Older units may have original systems. Ask the seller about the age of the furnace, air conditioner and water heater.

Harwood Avenue to the 401 and Ajax GO

Harwood Avenue is one of the four streets that cross the 401 in Ajax, but it doesn't have an interchange. Drivers in Central usually reach the highway at Westney Road, which also leads to Ajax GO on the south side of the 401.

That makes Central one of the more balanced locations in Ajax: close enough to the train for a short drive or bus ride, close to shopping and services, and on the future rapid bus line along Kingston Road. For buyers who want walkable errands and a manageable commute, it's a natural first look.

Starting out in Central Ajax

Central Ajax is a common starting point for first-time buyers. The older complexes offer ground-level space with a yard at a lower entry point than new construction, and the location puts shopping, the library and services within easy reach.

The trade-off is the work that comes with age. Budget for updates to kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and mechanicals, and make sure the corporation's reserve fund can handle the big-ticket items it's responsible for. A slightly higher price for a unit that's already been updated, with receipts, can be the better buy.

If you're relying on a second income from a roommate or tenant, read the complex's rules on leasing and occupancy before you firm up, since some corporations have rules on short-term rentals.