North York
Introduction
North York is a large district in the north of the City of Toronto, across Steeles Avenue from Vaughan and Markham.
The Township of North York was created on July 18, 1922, from the rural northern part of York Township. It became a borough on January 1, 1967, and a city on February 14, 1979. On January 1, 1998, it joined the new, amalgamated City of Toronto.
Real estate overview
North York has towers along Yonge Street and near subway stations, and many neighbourhoods of houses away from the main roads.
North York Centre, along Yonge Street from Highway 401 north to around Cummer and Drewry Avenues, is one of the areas where Toronto's Official Plan directs growth. The City is updating the plan for the area ("North York at the Centre"), with the tallest buildings proposed around the three subway stations; public consultation on the draft plan is planned for early 2027.
At Downsview, the City's Downsview Secondary Plan, in force since August 2024 except for some lands under appeal, guides the long-term change of large areas around Downsview Park, including former airport and military lands, into new neighbourhoods.
Across Toronto, the City permits multiplexes of up to four homes in residential neighbourhoods, and garden and laneway suites on many lots, subject to zoning rules.
Neighbourhood highlights
- North York Centre. Along Yonge Street around Sheppard-Yonge, North York Centre and Finch subway stations. The North York Civic Centre and Mel Lastman Square, with its outdoor amphitheatre, fountains and reflecting pool, are at 5100 Yonge Street, and North York Central Library is next door at 5120 Yonge Street.
- Downsview. Around Downsview Park, at 70 Canuck Avenue, on land that was Canadian Forces Base Toronto until 1995, now run by Canada Lands Company. Downsview Park GO Station and Downsview Park subway station are nearby.
- Around York University. York University's Keele Campus is at 4700 Keele Street, between Finch and Steeles Avenues, with its own subway station. The Village at Black Creek, a heritage village museum run by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, is nearby at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway.
- Along Sheppard Avenue East. Line 4 Sheppard runs from Sheppard-Yonge east to Don Mills, and North York General Hospital is at Leslie Street and Sheppard Avenue.
- Lawrence and Leslie. Edwards Gardens and the Toronto Botanical Garden, at 777 Lawrence Avenue East, have perennial and rose gardens on the upper level and a wildflower and rock garden in the valley.
Types of housing
Homes in North York include detached houses, from older bungalows to newer rebuilt homes, semi-detached houses, townhouses, condominium apartments and rental apartment buildings. Most condominium towers are along Yonge Street, Sheppard Avenue and near subway stations.
Lifestyle and amenities
Parks. Earl Bales Park, at 4169 Bathurst Street south of Sheppard Avenue, is a 51-hectare park with a community centre. Downsview Park and Edwards Gardens are larger green spaces in the district.
Library and culture. Toronto Public Library's North York Central Library, at 5120 Yonge Street, was renovated and reopened in 2018; the library also has many smaller branches across North York. The Village at Black Creek shows life in a 19th-century village through restored heritage buildings.
Hospitals. Hospitals in North York include Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre at 2075 Bayview Avenue, North York General Hospital at 4001 Leslie Street and Humber River Health at 1235 Wilson Avenue.
University. York University's Keele Campus is at 4700 Keele Street.
Getting around
Subway and LRT. Line 1 runs up Yonge Street to Finch Station, and on its western branch through Yorkdale, Downsview Park and York University into Vaughan. Line 4 Sheppard runs east from Sheppard-Yonge to Don Mills. Line 6 Finch West, a light rail line along Finch Avenue West from Finch West Station, opened on December 7, 2025, and Line 5 Eglinton, near North York's southern edge, began service on February 8, 2026.
GO Transit. Downsview Park GO Station, at 80 Carl Hall Road, is on the Barrie GO line, and Oriole GO Station, at 3300 Leslie Street, is on the Richmond Hill GO line.
Roads. Highway 401 crosses North York from west to east, and Highway 400, Allen Road, the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 404 connect it north and south.
Schools
Four school boards serve North York: the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (English), and Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (French). School boundaries can change, so check each address with the board before you buy or rent.
Homes for sale in North York
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