Will the Yonge North Subway Extension make Markham condos and townhouses go up in value?It may help over time, but no one can promise a specific gain. The Yonge North Subway Extension will add five stations, including Bridge near Highway 7 and Highway 407, and Ontario’s Bridge transit-oriented community is planned for about 20,800 homes and 10,900 jobs. Tunnelling was under way in May 2026, but no opening date has been published. Homes within an easy walk of future stations may gain from better access, while a large wave of new condos near the same stations adds supply that can hold back price growth for similar units. Buy for what the home offers today, and treat future transit as a bonus, not the plan.
York Region is building some of its tallest, densest neighbourhoods around transit. Along Yonge Street and Highway 7, farmland-era plazas and parking lots are planned to become walkable hubs with condos, offices and parks.
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 investors and first-time buyers measure the real walking distance from a unit to a current or future station, because a few hundred metres can change both daily life and long-term demand.
What a transit-oriented community is
A transit-oriented community, or TOC, is a mixed-use neighbourhood built at or next to a transit station. Ontario’s TOC program, led by Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Infrastructure, partners with developers to build homes, jobs and public space on and around station sites.
The biggest one in York Region is planned at the future Bridge station, where the Yonge North Subway Extension meets the Langstaff and Richmond Hill Centre area near Highway 7 and Highway 407.
| Bridge transit-oriented community | Planned |
|---|---|
| New homes | About 20,800 |
| Jobs | About 10,900 |
| Transit | Future subway, GO rail and bus connections |
Infrastructure Ontario, Bridge Transit-Oriented Community project page, as of October 2, 2026. Figures are plans and can change.
Where the subway extension stands
The extension continues Line 1 about 8 kilometres north from Finch station with five stations: Steeles, Clark, Royal Orchard, Bridge and High Tech. Metrolinx lists Royal Orchard station in Markham, and York Region’s 2022 Official Plan lists the Steeles, Clark, Royal Orchard and Langstaff GO-Bridge station areas among Markham’s protected major transit station areas.
- A City of Toronto report dated May 7, 2026 confirmed tunnelling was under way.
- Station construction at Steeles is scheduled to run to July 2030.
- No official opening date has been published, so plan on the 2030s.
Construction will be felt along the corridor. The same report says Yonge Street between Steeles Avenue and Madawaska Avenue is planned to close to vehicles from September 2028 to July 2030, with a temporary diversion road. Buyers who will live near a station site during those years should visit at different times of day and follow Metrolinx notices.
Markham Centre along Highway 7 is a separate hub served today by the Viva rapidway and nearby Unionville GO station. For what is planned in central Markham, see what 4,340 new homes at Markville mean for central Markham.
How transit can affect condo and townhouse values
There is no published Markham data that shows how much a future subway station adds to nearby home values. What buyers can reasonably expect:
| Factor | Can support value | Can hold value back |
|---|---|---|
| Walking distance | Easy walk to a station appeals to commuters and students | Homes right beside station sites face years of construction |
| New supply | New shops and services make the area more liveable | Thousands of new condos compete with yours for buyers and tenants |
| Timing | Value may build as opening approaches | Some expectations may already be priced in |
| Home type | Townhouses near hubs are scarcer than condos | Similar condo units are easy to substitute |
The supply point matters most for condo investors. Urbanation reported a record 5,001 completed but unsold new condo units across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in July 2026. Scarcer home types, such as townhouses within walking distance of transit, are more likely to hold their appeal than one more one-bedroom condo in a large building.
Buying near Markham’s transit corridors?
Michael John Lau can compare units near current and future stations, review supply nearby and help you run the numbers before you commit.
Book a buyer consultationSearch Markham homesPrefer to talk? Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885.
Hub living versus traditional suburban pockets
| Transit hub (Bridge, Markham Centre) | Traditional suburban pocket | |
|---|---|---|
| Home types | Mostly condos, some stacked and freehold towns | Detached, semi-detached and townhouses |
| Entry price | Lower, especially for condos | Higher |
| Commute | Transit-first, car optional for some | Car-dependent for most trips |
| Space | Smaller units, shared amenities | Yards, garages, more storage |
| Change ahead | Years of construction and new supply | More stable streetscape |
For investors, the rental side matters as much as the purchase. Near large hubs, many owners may be looking for tenants at the same time a new building finishes. Compare your expected rent with your mortgage, condo fees and property tax, and keep a cushion for vacancy.
First-time buyers often start in a hub for the lower entry price and transit, then move to a suburban pocket as their family grows. Choose the option that fits your situation and your timeline.
A checklist for investors and first-time buyers
- Measure the walk from the door of the building to the nearest station entrance, current or planned.
- Count the competition: how many similar units are listed, for sale or for rent nearby, and how many more are approved.
- Check the building: condo fees, reserve fund and status certificate.
- Run the numbers today without assuming price growth. If it only works with appreciation, it is a bet, not a plan.
- Plan for construction years if the home is close to a station site.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information.
Transit can shape a neighbourhood for decades, so it pays to look at both the long-term plan and today’s numbers. Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885 or book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a transit-oriented community in Ontario?
It is a mixed-use neighbourhood built at or next to a transit station through Ontario’s Transit-Oriented Communities program, which partners with developers to add homes, jobs and public space near stations.
How many homes are planned at the Bridge transit-oriented community?
Infrastructure Ontario lists about 20,800 new homes and about 10,900 jobs for the Bridge transit-oriented community near Highway 7 and Highway 407. These are planned figures and can change.
When will the Yonge North Subway Extension open?
No official opening date has been published. Tunnelling was under way in May 2026, and station construction at Steeles is scheduled to run to July 2030, so opening is expected in the 2030s.
Will condos near the subway go up in value?
There is no published Markham data showing a specific increase. Better access can support demand, but many new condos are planned near the same stations, which adds competition for similar units.
Are townhouses or condos better near transit hubs?
Townhouses within walking distance of transit are scarcer than condo units, which can help them hold their appeal. Condos offer a lower entry price. The right choice depends on your budget and plans.
Is Markham Centre a transit hub today?
Yes. Markham Centre along Highway 7 is served by the Viva rapidway, with Unionville GO station nearby. It is also planned for significant new housing.
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. Sources include Infrastructure Ontario (Bridge Transit-Oriented Community), Metrolinx (station details, October 16, 2024), a City of Toronto staff report (May 7, 2026), the York Region Official Plan 2022 and Urbanation (July 20, 2026). Plans and timelines can change. 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.
