Townhouses For Sale in Oak Ridges Lake Wilcox, Richmond Hill

Old lakeside lots, new townhouse infill

Lake Wilcox is where Oak Ridges started. It's the largest of several kettle lakes in the area, formed as the glaciers retreated, and the community's original settlement grew up around it. Housing developments began around the lake in the 1950s, often on smaller lots with modest houses.

Over the decades, newer subdivisions spread out from the lake, and some older lots have been redeveloped. Townhouses here are mostly from that later wave: freehold rows and parcels of tied land, typically two or three storeys, on streets set back from the shoreline. They're a way into the lake area for buyers who couldn't afford a detached home close to the water.

Because the area has been built over roughly 70 years, the street you're on matters. Some blocks are fully rebuilt; others still have original lakeside houses that could be replaced in the coming years. Walk the street and the next one over before deciding.

The boardwalk, the beach and the 2012 community centre

Lake Wilcox is the only lake in the area with public road access, and it's the focus of local life. The park along the shore has been renovated, with a boardwalk, a small beach, and summer recreation and camp programs.

The Oak Ridges Community Centre opened in June 2012 on the lake's eastern shore. It has a gym, basketball courts and Olympic-sized pools. For families, having a full recreation centre within walking distance of the lake is a strong draw.

The Oak Ridges Corridor conservation area links trails around Lake Wilcox and Bond Lake for walking, hiking and mountain biking.

Lake-adjacent checks

• Water table. The moraine has a high water table in places. Ask about basement water history, sump pumps and backwater valves.
• Conservation rules. Lots near the lake or creeks may be in regulated areas, with limits on decks, additions and tree removal.
• Older neighbours. Near the lake, you may be beside 1950s homes awaiting redevelopment. Check the City of Richmond Hill's development applications for nearby sites.
• Common elements fees. Newer infill towns may be parcels of tied land with a monthly fee. Review the status certificate and budget.
• Summer traffic. On warm weekends, the lake draws visitors. Visit on a Saturday in summer to see what parking and traffic are like.

Getting to Yonge and the GO

Yonge Street is a short drive from most of the Lake Wilcox area. Viva Blue runs along Yonge from Finch station north to Newmarket, with stops at Bloomington Road, Regatta Avenue and King Road. York Region Transit routes serve the local streets.

Gormley GO, on the Richmond Hill line, is a short drive east and serves peak-hour commuters heading to Union Station. Highway 404 is also east, which makes car commuting to Markham or downtown practical.

Schools are run by the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board. Confirm catchment with each board's locator.

For downsizers, Lake Wilcox offers a quieter setting with a community centre and trails close by, though many of the townhouses are three storeys. For families, it offers a lake, trails and a pool within walking distance. Compare the live supply here with the wider Oak Ridges area on this page.