Townhouses For Sale in Dovercourt-Wallace Emerson-Junction, Old Toronto

Factory land between the rail corridors

Much of the land north of Bloor between Dupont and Davenport was industrial for most of the twentieth century. Some manufacturing, warehousing and auto shops are still there, but many former factory buildings have become loft condos and several sites have been rebuilt as townhouse and low-rise complexes.

That industrial past is why townhouses here vary so much in age. One street may have century-old rowhouses built for factory workers; the next may have a block of three-storey stacked units from the last decade, sitting where a warehouse stood.

When you look at a newer complex on former industrial land, ask about the environmental work done before construction. A record of site condition or similar documentation is normally part of the approval process, and having it on file is reassuring for future resale.

The Railpath, Bloor GO and the Lansdowne-Dufferin corridor

The West Toronto Railpath runs along the old rail spur through the Junction Triangle, giving cyclists and walkers a direct route toward Dundas West and further south. Townhouses within a short walk of an access point are popular with buyers who commute by bike.

For rapid transit, Lansdowne and Dufferin stations on Line 2 serve the southern edge along Bloor. Bloor GO station, on the Kitchener line, also has UP Express service to Union and Pearson airport, and sits close to Dundas West subway station.

The rail corridors bring noise as well as service. Units backing onto active tracks should be visited during peak hours, and buyers should ask whether noise walls or vibration measures were part of the building's design.

Rebuilding the Galleria lands

The Galleria Mall at Dufferin and Dupont opened in 1972 and was for decades the area's main shopping centre. Its site is being redeveloped into a large mixed-use community with towers and an expanded park, which will add residents, retail and construction activity over several phases.

For nearby townhouse owners, that means years of building work, followed by more shops and services within walking distance. If you're buying close to the site, ask about current phasing and which roads are affected.

Dovercourt Park and the quieter residential blocks

South and east of the industrial pockets, the streets around Dovercourt Park are mostly older houses, many converted into several units. Freehold rows and semis do come up, often with long narrow yards and a lane behind.

These streets tend to suit families who want a yard and are comfortable with older systems. Basement height and water history are worth checking, as is whether a house has been legally converted to multiple units or not.

Converted houses and the multi-unit question

A lot of the older housing north of Bloor was split into apartments decades ago, some of it into as many as eight units. When one of these comes up described as a townhouse or row, the key question is how many units the City recognizes.

A legal duplex or triplex can be financed and insured as such, and rental income can count toward qualifying. An unregistered conversion may need work to meet fire and building codes, and that can be expensive. Ask for any permits, fire inspection records and the City's records on the property before you rely on rents.

For buyers who plan to live in one unit and rent the others, this area is one of the few places downtown where that setup is common and well understood.