Cathedraltown, Ontario

Cathedraltown (Census Tract Number 5350403.03; Population est. 3,000)^[1] is a new and developing (as of 2011 Dec) community in the Town of Markham, Ontario, Canada. The community gains its name Cathedraltown because it is landmarked by the Cathedral of the Transfiguration.

The community is divided into two parts. The part east of Woodbine Avenue is centred around Hazelton Avenue. This part of the community existed first before the newer part west of Woodbine Avenue. The community west of Woodbine Avenue is the heart of the community as it is centred around the Cathedral.

One of the main developer of the Cathedraltown neighbourhood is Monarch (A Taylor Woodrow subsidiary in Canada). They have built most of the homes in this neighbourhood, as the first phase is completed; the second phase is under construction as of early 2011.

Residential

There're different types of housing offered in this neighbourhood, from townhomes to fully detached homes in varying sizes (approx. 1500sq.ft. to 4000sq.ft.). Housing values although not cosidered highest in Markham, but it is certainly higher than many parts of Markham with townhomes starting from low to mid $500,000s CAD and fully detached reaching high-end $900,000s CAD almost $1,000,000 CAD according to MLS.ca of Canada. This is perhaps mainly due to the location of the neighbourhood is located right beside 404, one of the main access to downtown and many other parts of the GTA.

Geography

The residents of Cathedraltown consist mostly of middle to high-income families. The population of the community is predominantly people of East Asian and European heritage.

The community is bounded by Highway 404 to the west, Major MacKenzie Drive to the south, Cachet River to the east, and Elgin Mills Road to the north. The community is sometimes considered to "wrap around" the historical community of Victoria Square.

History

The community began its settlement in early 2006, beginning with the new homes east of Woodbine Avenue, centred around Hazelton Avenue. Settlement in the latter part of the community began 2007. However, as of 2009, there are still active, ongoing construction activity of new houses in areas west of the original Woodbine Avenue and the new Woodbine Avenue Bypass.

Amenities

Shopping facilities could be found near the southern end of the community, namely Fieldgate Shopping Centre. It hosts anchors such as the Canadian Tire, Boston Pizza, Shoppers' Drug Mart, and several bank branches.

In the future, to the west side of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration will serve as the main amenity of the area. There will be new shopping area (piazza), parks and recreation centres. The name of this street will be named High Street. Although the road has yet to be laid but the intersection on Woodbine Bypass is already constructed.

Public Transit

The following bus routes serve the community:

• YRT Route #4 / 4A - Major MacKenzie
• TTC Route #24D / 224D - Victoria Park North

Photo gallery

References