Townhouses For Sale in Willowridge-Martingrove-Richview, Etobicoke

Four Crosstown stations on former expressway land

In the 1960s, land along Eglinton was assembled for the Richview Expressway, meant to link Highway 403 with a proposed extension of Highway 400. The expressway was abandoned, but much of the land stayed undeveloped. Metrolinx is now using it for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, a 9.2-kilometre line from Mount Dennis to Renforth Drive with seven new stations.

Martin Grove, Islington and Royal York stations will be built underground off the north side of Eglinton, and Kipling will be underground in the roadway itself. Completion is expected around 2031. For townhouse owners, that means rapid transit to Midtown and Scarborough eventually, with years of construction along Eglinton first.

A 1960s suburb with older roots

The area was farmland in Etobicoke Township, and a Richview post office opened in 1852. Richview United Church, built in 1888, was demolished in the 1960s, leaving its graveyard. The neighbourhood became part of the suburbs in the 1960s, and much of the housing dates from that period.

Townhouses here are mainly in condominium complexes from the suburban build-out and later, on sites along the main roads. Willowridge is a triangle in the far west, west of Martin Grove. Martin Grove Gardens sits between Kipling, the Westway, Martin Grove and Dixon. Richmond Park is in the south-central part.

Those sub-areas differ in feel. Willowridge, tucked against the 401 and 427, is closest to the highways. Martin Grove Gardens sits further north near Dixon. Richmond Park is more central. Townhouse complexes in each tend to reflect the period they were built in, so ask about the age of the building envelope and what the reserve fund study plans for the coming years.

Twenty parks and the Richview Reservoir

The area has about twenty parks, including Richview Park, Westway Park, Willowridge Park, Martin Grove Gardens Park and Valleyfield Park, along with the Richview Reservoir. For townhouse buyers, a park within a short walk is easy to find here, which helps make up for small private yards.

The parks also break up the suburban streets, so many townhouse complexes sit within a few minutes' walk of a playground or open field. When viewing a unit, check the walking route to the nearest park and whether it crosses a major road like Eglinton or Martin Grove, especially if you have young children.

Buses today, the 401 and the 427

Until the Crosstown West opens, TTC buses connect the area to Kipling, Islington and Royal York stations on Line 2 and to Line 1 farther east. Highways 401, 427 and 409 are close, making car commutes to the airport and the 905 straightforward. Units near the highways should be checked for noise.

Pearson Airport is a short drive away, which makes the area practical for airport and logistics workers. Once the Crosstown West opens, Renforth station will add a transit link toward the airport area, with Metrolinx studying a connection beyond it to Pearson.

Living through the Eglinton construction years

• Check how close a complex is to a station site, since construction there will be most intense.
• Ask about traffic changes and access to the complex during work.
• Consider how proximity to a future station may affect demand later, without assuming a timeline.
• Read the status certificate and reserve fund study, as in any older complex.