Eglinton Crosstown LRT Opening Sparks Real Estate Growth in Toronto Neighborhoods

After a lengthy 15-year construction period, the recent inauguration of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, also known as Line 5, has brought significant benefits not only to transit users but also to the broader urban development across Toronto. According to a comprehensive report from REMAX, this major infrastructure project is catalyzing substantial neighborhood growth and reshaping the city's real estate dynamics.

Transforming Previously Overlooked Areas

Cameron Forbes, a real estate broker with REMAX Realtron Realty Inc., highlights the transformative impact of the Crosstown LRT. "The Crosstown LRT is having a positive impact in terms of real estate all along the line but particularly in areas that haven't been sought after over the past 20 years or so," Forbes explains. He notes that while established neighborhoods like Leaside may see minimal changes due to their existing desirability, the most pronounced benefits are emerging in eastern and western sectors farther from the downtown core.

REMAX identifies several key neighborhoods experiencing accelerated interest and investment:

Clairlea-Birchmount
Don Mills-Victoria Village
Various parts of Toronto's east end

These areas have been designated as Toronto's next neighborhoods to watch, signaling a shift in buyer preferences and market trends.

Enhanced Connectivity Driving Demand

The Eglinton Crosstown LRT features 25 stations stretching from West Toronto to Scarborough, creating vital connections to TTC subway lines, GO stations, and major employment centers. This improved transit accessibility is unlocking new levels of affordability and convenience, attracting diverse demographic groups including:

Young professionals seeking urban amenities
Families looking for community-oriented environments
Long-term investors exploring opportunities beyond traditional downtown markets

According to REMAX Canada's Next Neighborhoods Report, major transit investments serve as clear indicators of communities on the rise. The report emphasizes how infrastructure development fundamentally alters neighborhood appeal and property values.

Canadian Neighborhood Preferences Revealed

An Angus Reid survey commissioned by REMAX provides valuable insights into what Canadians prioritize when selecting neighborhoods:

37% of respondents identified affordability as their top consideration
36% valued proximity to amenities such as restaurants, shopping, and grocery stores
31% emphasized convenient access to public transit

The survey also revealed how Canadians want to spend their time in local communities:

58% prefer shopping at local stores
52% enjoy dining out at neighborhood establishments
43% prioritize socializing with friends, family, and neighbors

While new infrastructure development ranked slightly lower at 41%, the report argues that transit projects like the Crosstown LRT have the most substantial impact on creating "next neighborhoods" that meet these evolving preferences.

Quality of Life and Economic Revitalization

Forbes emphasizes the connection between transit access and quality of life. "Location is driven by what people can afford," he observes. "But talk to anybody anywhere in the city and I think they'd say traffic is their number one issue with quality of life, so the ability to take public transit is huge. Very, very short bus routes will get you to the LRT now. It's huge in terms of attractiveness in terms of where people choose to live with their families."

The increased foot traffic around Crosstown stations is expected to revitalize main-street retail, cafés, and service businesses that endured years of construction disruption. Demand is returning for ground-floor commercial spaces that serve both daily commuters and local residents, creating new economic opportunities throughout the corridor.

Future Development Prospects

On the construction front, new developments like Crosstown Condos at Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East are already underway. Forbes predicts that new construction will intensify significantly along the entire Eglinton Crosstown LRT route over the next five to ten years, further transforming the urban landscape.

The REMAX report also highlights other Greater Toronto Area communities experiencing similar transformations:

Scarborough, described as "one of the most undervalued areas in the region"
Hamilton, where buyers from Toronto are relocating in search of greater affordability and more space

This regional shift underscores how transit infrastructure influences broader metropolitan development patterns and housing market dynamics.