How is York University's Markham Campus changing Markham Centre?York University’s Markham Campus, a 10-storey building in Markham Centre near Enterprise Boulevard, welcomed its first students on September 4, 2024, with more than 400 enrolled. By fall 2025, enrolment was expected to reach about 1,000, and the campus can hold up to 4,200 students. That brings steady demand for nearby rentals, especially smaller units and rooms, plus more foot traffic for Downtown Markham shops and restaurants. Owners near the campus should expect a livelier area, more transit use and some competition for parking, while investors should look closely at unit size, distance to campus and the supply of new rental buildings.
For years, Markham Centre was a place many people drove through on the way to work. The arrival of York University has started to change that. Students now walk between the campus, Unionville GO station and the shops along Enterprise Boulevard, and the area feels busier in the evenings.
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 owners and investors understand what the campus means for rents, resale and daily life around Markham Centre.
The campus at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Markham Centre, at Enterprise Boulevard and University Boulevard (formerly Rivis Road) |
| Building | 10 storeys |
| First day of classes | September 4, 2024 |
| Students | More than 400 in the first cohort; about 1,000 expected by fall 2025 |
| Capacity | Up to 4,200 students in Phase 1, with room to grow to 10,000 |
| Funding | $275.5 million partnership of York University, the City of Markham (land worth more than $50 million) and York Region ($25 million) |
Details from the City of Markham, Markham Business and The Canadian Press, as of October 12, 2026.
What students are studying
Programs focus on technology, media and business, including Creative Technologies, Communication, Social Media and Public Relations, Computer Science for Software Development, Digital Technologies, Financial Technologies, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Sport Management, and first-year engineering and science programs. These programs attract students from across York Region and beyond, as well as faculty and staff who may look for housing close by.
Where students and staff live
Many students live at home with family in York Region, and a university official noted that “not everyone wants to go away to university.” For those who need housing, York partnered with student housing provider 4stay on a residence about a block west of the campus. For 2025 to 2026, monthly rates were listed at about $1,230 for a shared room, $1,486 for a small single and $1,588 for a single. York has also said it is in early talks about a purpose-built student residence nearby.
Students who cannot get a residence spot often look for rooms or small units within walking distance or along the Highway 7 Viva line.
Buying or renting near the York University campus?
Michael John Lau can compare buildings, rents and walking distances around Markham Centre before you decide.
Book an investor consultationSearch Markham homesPrefer to talk? Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885.
The rental ripple effect
A campus adds a steady, predictable source of renters. The most likely effects around Markham Centre:
- One-bedroom and smaller units: students sharing and junior staff tend to look at smaller condos and rooms.
- Two-bedroom units: shared by two students, or rented by faculty and staff with families.
- Seasonal timing: demand peaks before September and January terms.
- Location premium: units within a short walk of campus, Unionville GO or the Viva line are easier to rent.
The campus is not the only factor. Markham Centre also has a large pipeline of new condo and rental proposals, which could add competition for tenants as buildings finish. For investors, the right building and unit size matter more than the campus alone. See transit-oriented communities in Markham for the bigger picture.
Walking corridors and Downtown Markham
The campus sits within the Unionville GO major transit station area, a short walk from the GO station and close to Highway 7 rapid transit. Downtown Markham’s restaurants, cafes, cinema and shops along Enterprise Boulevard are within walking distance, and the Markham Pan Am Centre is nearby for fitness and swimming. More daytime and evening foot traffic tends to support new restaurants and services over time.
Living near the campus: noise, traffic and vibrancy
| Upside | Trade-off |
|---|---|
| A livelier area with more shops and services | More foot traffic and activity in the evenings |
| Strong rental demand for investors | More turnover among neighbours in rental buildings |
| Better transit use and frequency over time | Competition for limited parking near campus |
York lists limited on-site parking, with general parking at the Remington lot on Enterprise Boulevard managed through a mobile app, so many students and staff rely on transit. Owners in nearby condos should check visitor parking rules in their building.
For investors: questions to ask first
- How far is the unit from campus, Unionville GO and the Viva line on foot?
- Does the condo allow leasing, and are there rules on rooms or short terms?
- How many new rental and condo units are proposed nearby?
- What are realistic rents, fees and taxes for this exact unit?
- Are you prepared for turnover tied to the academic year?
Ultimately, the decision is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information before you buy or rent out a unit near campus.
York University’s Markham Campus is still growing, and the neighbourhood around it is changing with it. Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885 or book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
When did York University’s Markham Campus open?
The first students started classes on September 4, 2024, with more than 400 enrolled in the first cohort.
How many students attend York University’s Markham Campus?
Enrolment was expected to reach about 1,000 students by fall 2025. The campus can accept up to 4,200 students in its first phase.
Where is York University’s Markham Campus?
It is in Markham Centre at Enterprise Boulevard and University Boulevard (formerly Rivis Road), within the Unionville GO station area.
Is there student housing near the Markham Campus?
York partnered with 4stay on a residence about a block west of campus. York has also said it is in early talks about a purpose-built residence nearby.
Will the campus increase rental demand in Markham Centre?
It adds a steady source of renters, especially for rooms and smaller units close to campus and transit. New rental and condo supply nearby also affects rents.
What programs does the Markham Campus offer?
Programs include creative technologies, communication, computer science, digital and financial technologies, entrepreneurship, sport management, and first-year engineering and science.
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. Campus details are from the City of Markham, Markham Business (September 9, 2024), The Canadian Press (August 1, 2025), York University and Ontario Universities’ Info, as available on October 12, 2026. Residence rates are 2025 to 2026 figures and may 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.
