When we talk about what makes a Toronto neighbourhood desirable, transit access is almost always involved. Major transit investment can do more than just make it easier to get downtown; it can help transform how an entire neighbourhood develops.
East Harbour is a good example. Located near the Don River, south of Eastern Avenue and next to Riverside and Leslieville, this old industrial area is being redeveloped into a major mixed-use, transit-oriented community.
More Than a New GO Station
The East Harbour Transit Hub is planned to connect GO Transit’s Lakeshore East and Stouffville lines with the future Ontario Line subway and planned streetcar service.
With approximately 100,000 riders expected daily, East Harbour is intended to become a significant connection point for both regional and local transit while also helping relieve pressure on Union Station.
But what makes this project particularly interesting from a real estate perspective is what is being built around the transit.
Building a Community Around Transit
Plans for the approximately 38-acre East Harbour site include roughly 4,000 to 4,300 residential units, including affordable housing options. The development is also expected to include substantial office and commercial space, with capacity for more than 50,000 jobs.
Rather than simply adding residential towers beside a train station, the goal is to create a complete community where people can live, work, and spend their free time.
Plans include:
- Retail and cultural spaces
- Parks and new public spaces
- A major park plaza
- Community amenities
- Pedestrian-friendly connections
- Housing, employment and recreation within easy reach of transit
The Impact Can Extend Beyond the Station
East Harbour also demonstrates how major transit investment can influence surrounding neighbourhoods.
The development sits near Riverside, Leslieville, the West Don Lands, Distillery District and Port Lands, connecting several areas already experiencing significant change. Adding housing, employment, public spaces, and multiple forms of transit could further support a denser, more walkable east end.
For buyers, this is why looking at future infrastructure can be an important part of evaluating a neighbourhood. A GO station isn’t only about whether you can catch a train nearby. New and expanded transit can influence land use, where businesses locate, and how communities grow around it.
What Should Buyers Consider?
Being close to major transit can be attractive, but buyers should look beyond whether a station is nearby. Consider the actual walking distance, pedestrian and cycling connections, and how useful the service will be for your daily routine.
For projects still under construction, timelines, noise, traffic, and temporary accessibility issues should also matter for buyers. Look at what is being developed alongside transit, including new housing, parks, schools, retail, and employment, and whether significant new supply could affect the local market.
Then consider affordability and the bigger neighbourhood trajectory. Improved accessibility can strengthen demand, but it can also change prices, property taxes, and development patterns.
What Challenges Should We Watch?
East Harbour is still evolving, so it is too early to fully judge its impact. Transit projects can bring years of construction disruption, while new investment can put pressure on affordability and local businesses.
This is particularly relevant in nearby Riverside and Leslieville, which have already changed significantly over the past couple of decades. Better transit could improve access to jobs, services, and the rest of the GTA while making these areas even more desirable to buyers and businesses.
What Could Transit Mean for Property Values and Liveability?
Transit accessibility has been associated with higher residential property values in Toronto and the GTA, although the impact varies by neighbourhood, housing type, distance, and quality of service.
The value isn’t simply in having a station nearby. Reliable transit can reduce commute times, improve access to employment and amenities, and make it easier to reduce reliance on cars.
When transit investment also brings parks, shops, jobs, and public spaces, the neighbourhood’s overall liveability can improve.
There can also be a sweet spot for proximity. A home beside a busy rail corridor may face noise or other drawbacks, while one within a comfortable walk may receive many of the accessibility benefits without being directly beside the infrastructure.
Look Beyond the Station
When evaluating a neighbourhood near new or expanded transit, buyers should look beyond the station itself to consider future development, housing supply, amenities, construction timelines, and affordability. Understanding how these changes could influence both liveability and property values can help determine whether buying into an evolving neighbourhood makes sense for your budget and long-term real estate goals.
Are you ready to move to the next stage? Let’s chat. Send me an email (hillary@hillarylane.ca) or text/phone (416-882-4707).
