A highly walkable, accessible and diverse neighbourhood spans the Yonge and Finch intersection, offering everything from essential amenities to much more. This is the heart of North York's Willowdale community and a short walk from the buzzing North York City Centre at Yonge and Sheppard.
The Yonge Street and Finch Avenue intersection is a vibrant hub of activity at the northern border of North York’s Willowdale neighbourhood. The Finch TTC subway station holds precedence at the corner of Yonge and Finch, servicing a constant ebb and flow of pedestrian traffic. A short walk away down Yonge street is the next major intersection, Yonge and Sheppard, an area known as North York City Centre – the very pulse and economic centre of North York. This is why this neighbourhood has truly bloomed in recent years, from a once sleepy suburban outpost into a trendy neighbourhood with eclectic eateries, affluent restaurants and diverse entertainment – all the ingredients of a dynamic, on-the-go urban life. In recent years, as homebuyers search for affordable and connected housing, neighbourhoods in central North York have captured the attention of politicians and developers alike. The area has established itself as the downtown of North York, and its proximity and ease of access to downtown Toronto have cemented its future as a connected community.
Yonge and Finch sits on the northern border of Willowdale, a coveted neighbourhood in North York. This once slow-paced suburban neighbourhood has grown into one of the hottest real estate markets in Toronto due largely to its peaceful, tree-lined streets, close-knit community vibe and proximity to two subway lines, Yonge and Sheppard. Willowdale is also easily accessible by highways and boasts top-ranked schools and a variety of big-city amenities. As the real estate market grows, properties in Willowdale are still competitively priced relative to downtown Toronto and continuing to climb as investors and developers look to renew and revitalize dated housing. Willowdale also offers lower density relative to downtown Toronto, making this an attractive neighbourhood for those needing an escape from urban congestion without giving up on amenities and conveniences.
This is an ethnically diverse community with a relatively young population, with most employed people travelling to various locations across the GTA. With Yonge Street running through the district, there is a constant stream of movement and opportunity, keeping this neighbourhood fueled for transformative growth.
North York is home to beautiful parks and trail systems, many of which were generously donated by private landowners at the dawn of the 20th century. Its lower density is due mainly to the abundant green spaces interspersed throughout the area. This becomes evident a short walk from Yonge and Finch, as you find several well-maintained city parks and green spaces.
North York has invested in numerous community and recreation centres to support its multi-generational and multi-cultural neighbourhoods, offering family activities, athletics, and social planning. Notable centres close to Yonge and Finch include:
Yonge Street is a constantly evolving landmark in and of itself, serving up an abundant selection of eclectic dining experiences, entertainment and shopping. Just a stone’s throw in either direction from its intersection with Finch Ave, you’ll find yourself walking in a foodies paradise featuring cuisines all over the world and an assortment of casual cafes, delightful eateries, busy pubs and bars. And if you’re a shopaholic, Yonge street has a mix of small retailers, big box stores, and one-of-a-kind speciality stores. A short distance from Yonge and Finch, you’ll find small shopping plazas and large shopping centres, the Bayview Village Shopping Centre and Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
The Yonge and Finch neighbourhood is situated steps from the busy North York City Centre, in the heart of Willowdale. This area is indeed a cosmopolitan oasis, with a variety of options for dining, shopping and entertainment.
Yonge and Finch is a short walk from North York Centre at Yonge and Sheppard, a location regarded as the second downtown in the GTA after downtown Toronto. This busy city centre is full of opportunities and activities set against a growing skyline. North York Centre is a transit-oriented and dynamic mixed-use area. Residents will find themselves close to a significant employment hub with easy access via public transit to locations across the GTA. It is the largest employment centre outside of downtown Toronto, boasting the highest proportion of office sector jobs (82%) compared to other major City Centres in the GTA.
The Regional Municipality of York has seen unprecedented growth in the last ten years. It is predicted to reach a population of 2.02 million and 990,000 jobs by 2051 – an impressive milestone! To ensure this expansion continues sustainably and that a strong community is built with robust policies in place, the council has updated their 2022 York Region Official Plan (ROP). With these measures implemented now, citizens can look forward to flourishing growth for many years.
North York is a major contributor to York Region, and the GTA’s economy. Yonge and Sheppard is a major employment hub in the GTA, with leading local and international companies and organizations. Between 2018 and 2019, York Region employment grew by 13,800 jobs (2.2%), keeping pace with national averages. Global brands have offices here, including Gillette, Pampers, the OLG, and Celestica.
This is an ideal location for growth, serviced by cross-regional transit arteries that increase mobility and ease of access to employment and commercial opportunities. As major transit projects come to completion, this access will only increase in the near future. Olive Residence’s location in the heart of North York City Centre and its proximity to the TTC’s Yonge-Sheppard Subway makes it exceptionally well-connected and a promising real estate investment.
Finch Subway station sits at the corner of Yonge and Finch, just one stop away from the Sheppard–Yonge interchange station on Line 1 Yonge–University and Line 4 Sheppard of the Toronto subway, giving residents convenient access to multiple locations across the GTA and other regional transit networks.
As part of its mandate to support sustainable growth, North York’s Secondary Plan seeks to lower car usage rates by improving public transit infrastructure and accessibility.
The Yonge North Subway Extension will extend TTC’s Line 1 from Finch Station to Vaughan, Markham, and Richmond Hill, transforming commuting in North York. This extension will span 8 kilometres and feature five stations, making it faster and easier for riders to travel between York Region and downtown Toronto. It will also link to local transit services, including regional bus routes.
