What is daily life like in Cathedraltown, Markham?Cathedraltown is a planned new urbanist community in north Markham, bounded by Major Mackenzie Drive, Elgin Mills Road, Highway 404 and Victoria Square Boulevard. Designed by Donald Buttress and first occupied around 2006, it draws on European cathedral towns and the Regency and Georgian styles of late 18th and early 19th century London. Its centrepiece, the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, has a 64-metre central tower. Residents enjoy consistent streetscapes, front porches and rear-lane garages. The trade-offs include narrower lots, laneway living, and a car-dependent location for many errands.
Drive north on Woodbine Avenue past Major Mackenzie Drive and the gilded towers of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration appear above the treeline. Around it lies one of the most distinctive neighbourhoods in the GTA: rows of brick and stucco homes with classical details, built to look as if they grew around a European cathedral over centuries.
Michael John Lau, a REALTOR® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region, helps buyers look past the facades to how these homes actually live day to day, from the laneway garage to the morning commute.
The cathedral at the centre
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Construction began | Early 1984 |
| Built by | Stephen B. Roman, who donated the land |
| Inspiration | A church in his home village in Slovakia |
| Central tower | 64 metres (210 feet), with two 45-metre side towers |
| Bells | Three bells weighing about 14,500 kg, cast in Annecy, France |
| Blessing | Cornerstone blessed by Pope John Paul II in September 1984 |
| Today | Home since 2016 to a Melkite Greek Catholic parish |
Details from public records of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration, as of October 12, 2026.
A neighbourhood designed, not just built
Cathedraltown was planned using new urbanist principles. Instead of wide streets lined with garage doors, the community puts garages on rear laneways, so the street side is lined with front doors, porches and classical details. The designer, Donald Buttress, drew on European cathedral towns and on the Regency and Georgian styles popular in London in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Cathedral High Street gives the community a central spine.
The result is a streetscape that feels consistent and walkable, and very different from most suburban subdivisions. For a broader profile of the community, see Cathedraltown: Markham’s luxury neighbourhood.
The reality of laneway garages
| Advantage | Trade-off |
|---|---|
| Attractive streets without garage doors | The garage and back door become the everyday entrance |
| Safer sidewalks with fewer driveways | Laneways can feel narrow for larger vehicles |
| Front porches that face neighbours | Backyards are often smaller, between the house and the garage |
| Garbage and parking kept off the main street | Ask who maintains and clears snow from the laneway |
Before buying, walk the laneway behind the home, check its width and lighting, and confirm whether any shared maintenance costs apply.
Drawn to Cathedraltown’s streetscapes?
Michael John Lau can show you homes in Cathedraltown and nearby communities, and walk through the laneway, lot and layout with you.
Book a private tourSearch Markham homesPrefer to talk? Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885.
Townhomes, live-work units and detached homes
The community mixes row townhomes, semis and detached homes, along with condo buildings, which gives buyers more entry points than many north Markham neighbourhoods. Some new urbanist communities include live-work townhomes with space designed for a home business at street level. If you are considering one for a business, confirm the zoning, permitted uses, signage rules and any condo restrictions before you buy.
Walkability: what is close and what is not
Within the community, sidewalks, parks and the cathedral grounds make evening walks pleasant. For groceries and most errands, many residents drive to plazas along Woodbine Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive. Highway 404 is close, which suits commuters heading south. Transit is provided by York Region Transit bus routes.
For newer road links to the west, see Markham’s new Highway 404 crossing.
A statue, a debate and a sense of place
Cathedraltown’s design invites strong opinions. In July 2017, a statue honouring Brookview Tony Charity, a prize-winning cow from Romandale Farms, was erected in the community. It drew criticism, Markham City Council voted to look for a new location, and the statue has been in storage since 2018. The episode showed how much residents care about the character of their streets.
Who Cathedraltown suits
A good fit for: buyers who love architecture and a consistent streetscape, families who like porches and neighbours close by, commuters who use Highway 404, and downsizers who want a townhome with character rather than a standard subdivision home.
Think carefully if: you need a large backyard or a wide driveway for several vehicles, you prefer a front-facing garage, or you want to walk to a full grocery store. Visiting at different times of day, including a weekday rush hour and a Sunday morning, gives the clearest sense of whether the community fits your routine.
How it compares with Victoria Square and Berczy
| Cathedraltown | Victoria Square | Berczy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character | European-inspired, rear lanes | Historic hamlet with newer growth | Established family subdivision |
| Lot style | Narrower lots, rear garages | Mix of older and newer lots | Conventional lots, front garages |
| Best for | Buyers who value design and streetscape | Buyers watching a growing area | Families focused on schools |
Prices vary widely by home type and street, so compare recent sales of similar homes in each community. Ultimately, the decision is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information.
Cathedraltown is one of the few places in Markham where the streets themselves are the main attraction. Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885 or book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Cathedraltown in Markham?
Cathedraltown is in north Markham, bounded by Major Mackenzie Drive, Elgin Mills Road, Highway 404 and Victoria Square Boulevard.
Who designed Cathedraltown?
Donald Buttress designed it, drawing on European cathedral towns and the Regency and Georgian styles of London in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
How tall is the Cathedral of the Transfiguration?
The central Tower of the Transfiguration is 64 metres (210 feet) tall, and each side tower is 45 metres.
Do Cathedraltown homes have rear garages?
Many do. Garages are placed on rear laneways so the street side is lined with front doors and porches. Check laneway width and maintenance before buying.
Is Cathedraltown walkable?
The community itself is pleasant to walk, but most residents drive to plazas on Woodbine Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive for groceries and errands.
When was Cathedraltown built?
The neighbourhood was established around 2006, on land that was once part of Stephen Roman’s farm near the cathedral.
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani are licensed REALTORS® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, eXp Realty, Brokerage, 9763 Markham Rd, Markham, ON L6E 1A4. Licence #4784577. Call (647) 370-8885. Neighbourhood and cathedral details are drawn from public records, including Wikipedia’s Cathedraltown and Cathedral of the Transfiguration articles, as available on October 12, 2026. Confirm zoning, laneway arrangements and any fees for a specific property. This article is general information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with another brokerage.
