Townhouses For Sale in Central Newmarket, Newmarket

Main Street, the heritage district and the towns in between

Main Street is Newmarket's historic core, with Victorian commercial buildings and a heritage conservation district covering much of it. The residential streets around it mix older houses with low-rise condos and townhouse complexes built at various times.

Townhouses here are a smaller part of the housing stock than in the subdivisions. They include older condominium complexes, some recent infill and a few condo townhouse projects on or near Main Street. The variety means buyers need to look at each complex on its own rather than assume a typical age or layout.

Heritage rules can affect exterior work in or near the conservation district, from windows to signage. Check the boundary before buying if you plan changes.

Some downtown complexes are small, with a dozen or so units sharing a driveway and parking court. Small corporations can be friendly and simple to run, but one roof job lands on fewer owners, and a board short of volunteers can stall.

Fairy Lake, Riverwalk Commons and the Tom Taylor Trail

Fairy Lake is a small reservoir on the East Holland River, and its park is the centre of downtown recreation. Riverwalk Commons, beside the municipal offices, hosts a farmers' market, concerts and a winter skating rink. The Tom Taylor Trail follows the river north and south through town.

The river brings a floodplain with it. Some properties close to the water are in regulated areas. Check the conservation authority's mapping for any unit near the river or the lake.

The GO station within walking distance

Newmarket GO on the Barrie line serves the downtown, with trains south to Union Station. The Newmarket Bus Terminal near Yonge and Davis is a short bus ride west, and Davis Drive's Viva rapidway is close. For a buyer who wants to drive less, the downtown is the most practical part of Newmarket.

The downtown also has the Old Town Hall, the Newmarket Public Library and the municipal offices, so many of the town's services are within walking distance. Restaurants, cafés and independent shops line Main Street south of Davis Drive, and summer brings street festivals and outdoor dining.

Buses run on Davis Drive and Eagle Street toward the terminal, and the Tom Taylor Trail is a practical cycling route north to the Woodland Hill area and south toward Mulock Drive, away from car traffic.

Buying a downtown town

• Check the age of the complex and the condition of the reserve fund. Older complexes may face roof, window and paving work.
• Look at parking. Downtown complexes often have fewer spaces than suburban ones, and street parking is limited.
• Ask about noise from Main Street events and the GO line.
• Confirm whether the unit is inside the heritage conservation district.

Downsizers and commuters are the most common buyers, attracted by the walkable streets and the train. Young professionals also like the restaurants and events. Families sometimes find downtown units smaller than they need, and look instead to the subdivisions.