Observatory Community

• Richmond Hill Real Estate

Observatory

The Observatory is home to the only national heritage in Richmond Hill, David Dunlap Observatory, which maintains the largest optical telescope in Canada. To preserve this historical astronomical landmark, in 2016, the City of Richmond Hill endorsed a master plan to destinate this park as an astronomical outreach site and upgrade it with several new recreational amenities, including walking trails, tennis courts, and an amphitheater.

Community Overview

Observatory community runs from Bayview Avenue on the East to 16th Ave on the south, Yonge St on the West, and Weldrick Road on the north. The railway divides the Community into East and West. Commercial businesses, condo buildings, and townhouses occupy around half of the land on the west side of the Community. On the east side of the railway are mainly residential real estate detached houses surrounding historic David Dunlap Observatory Park.

1. Housing:

Real estate in this part of Richmond Hill was primarily built between 1980 and 2000, with the latest Observatory Hill neighborhood added on the east side of Observatory Park. Observatory Hill is a master planned neighborhood joint-developed by renowned builders such as Aspen Ridge Homes, The Conservatory Group, Countrywide, and Regal Crest Home. This new development includes Real Lane Townhomes, semi-detached houses, and single Detached modern homes. Other than most detached homes, homebuyers can also find Condo apartments, townhomes, semi-detached homes, and attached townhouses in the Community. There is also a small number of coop housing managed by Landsberg/Lewis Housing Co-Operative Inc. at the intersection of 16th Avenue and the Railway.

From MLS listings, in the past 90 days, Observatory Richmond Hill sold 5 detached houses on average of $3,037,000; 2 Attached town home, Semi-detached and Link houses on average of $2,140,000; 4 Town homes on average of $868,500; 8 condos on average of $726,000.

2. Demographic:

Chinese account for over 20% of the population in the Community. Persian is the second largest visible minority in Observatory Richmond Hill.

3. Transportation:

Cars are typically used as transportation for most residents. Commuters can get on Highway 404 via 16th avenue in about 10 minutes. Bayview Avenue and Yonge Street also directly link to express tollway 407, permitting a speedy trip to both East and West. Professionals working downtown have two nearby GO Train Stations, Richmond Hill Station and Langstaff Station. They both have plenty of parking spaces.

4. Recreation:

David Dunlap Observatory Park is the largest park in the Community. It is famous for astronomic discovery but is also in progress to add several new amenities for natural lovers. Located South of the Community is Elvis Stojko arena which offers an indoor skating field. Residents can rent the arena for hockey, figure skating, skating party packages, tournaments, and practices.

5. Shopping:

Most shops are centered on Yonge Street. Hillcrest Mall is in the Southwest Corner of the Community. Anchored by a state-of-the-art Hudson's Bay, Hillcrest Mall is the only fully enclosed shopping center in Richmond Hill. Moreover, South Hill Shopping Centre and several commercial plazas are on the east side of Yonge St. This includes No Frills, T&T Supermarket, banks, and many restaurants.

6. Schools:

Sixteen Avenue Public School is an elementary school that receives students from kindergarten to grade 8. For the high school, the neighborhood East of the railway attends Bayview Secondary school, and the west part of the Community is zoned for Langstaff Secondary School. Bayview Secondary School was ranked No. 8 in Ontario. Students and parents highly value the IB program at Bayview Secondary School. Established in 1964, Langstaff Secondary School offers students specialized programs such as French Immersion and Advanced Placement (AP).

The Observatory is a community mixed with entry-level condo apartments to multi-million luxurious new homes. Close to a beautiful historical park, within an excellent school zone, and proximate to a large shopping center, make the Community one of the most desired places to live in Richmond Hill. If you plan to move to Observatory or you want to learn more about real estate investment opportunities in Richmond Hill, please contact Richmond Hill realtor agent Alan Zheng.