Townhouses For Sale in Doncrest, Richmond Hill

Valleymede Drive and the 1980s build-out

Doncrest was likely named by Richmond Hill's planners in the 1980s, after the Don River, and most of its housing dates from the 1980s and 1990s. The typical home is an entry-level two-storey detached house in a neo-Georgian style, with red brick, an interlock driveway and an attached front garage. Low- and mid-rise condominiums sit on the streets around the edges.

Townhouses here are mostly in condominium complexes and some freehold rows from that same period. Their main draw is location: Highway 7 forms the southern edge and the Markham border, and the Beaver Creek business park is to the east, so many residents can get to work quickly.

High Tech Road and the coming terminus

High Tech Road, which connects to Bayview, is lined with big-box stores including a Walmart Supercentre and a Loblaws, so errands are quick. The road also gives its name to the future terminus of the Yonge North Subway Extension: High Tech station is planned as a surface station along the rail corridor, with Bridge station nearby connected to Langstaff GO.

The subway is expected to take about a decade to complete. When it opens, Doncrest will be one of the closest residential neighbourhoods to the end of the line. Until then, Langstaff GO and Viva on Highway 7 and Yonge are the main transit links. Highway 407 and Highway 404 are close by for drivers.

David Hamilton Park and Ed Sackfield Arena

David Hamilton Park has been modernized with play areas, a splash pad, multi-use courts and walkways. Next door, the Ed Sackfield Arena and Fitness Studio at 311 Valleymede Drive has been renovated and expanded with an NHL-sized ice pad, a fitness studio and a walking track. The Blackmore community tennis club is beside the park.

For families, that cluster of park, arena and tennis courts gives the neighbourhood a natural centre.

Because the housing is relatively uniform in age and style, the streets have a settled, consistent look. Townhouse owners share the same parks and arena as the detached houses around them, which is a big part of why families who start in a town here often stay when they move up.

Schools are run by the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board. Confirm catchment with each board for the exact address.

What a 1980s Doncrest complex will ask of you

Townhouse complexes of this age are at the point where major components are being replaced, or need to be. When comparing them:

• Reserve fund study. Find out what has been done and what's coming. Roofs, windows, doors, decks, fencing and paving are the usual big items.
• Special assessments. Look at board minutes as well as the status certificate summary.
• Fee inclusions. Know what the fee covers, such as exterior maintenance, common element insurance, snow clearing and landscaping.
• Owner responsibilities. The declaration sets out who looks after windows, doors and decks.
• Construction nearby. Subway work and development near High Tech and Highway 7 may affect traffic and noise for some time.

For freehold rows, ask about the roof, furnace and windows, since there is no reserve fund to cover them.

Doncrest's supply is modest. Compare the live data on this page with Langstaff to the west and Commerce Valley across Highway 7 in Markham, which share the same transit picture.