Cornell, Markham real estate

Living in Cornell

Cornell is a master-planned community in northeast Markham, bounded by 16th Avenue to the north, Highway 407 to the south, Ninth Line to the west and Donald Cousens Parkway to the east. Highway 7 and Bur Oak Avenue are its main roads.

Markham conceived Cornell in the early 1990s as an alternative to conventional suburbs. The plan was designed by the American firm Duany Plater-Zyberk, known for the "new urbanism" movement, and construction began in the late 1990s. The name honours the Cornell family, early settlers in Markham. Building has continued in phases ever since, with the newest construction in the north and south.

New urbanism shows in the details. Streets follow a grid instead of winding crescents. Homes sit close to the sidewalk with front porches. Garages are tucked behind homes and reached by rear laneways. Parks, schools and shops are spread throughout so daily life can happen on foot. The result has a traditional, small-town look, with brick and stone homes, tree-lined streets and village squares, even though most of it is fairly new.

Getting around

• Cornell Terminal is a transit hub for York Region Transit and Viva Purple, which runs along Highway 7 to Markham Centre and Richmond Hill Centre, plus GO buses.
• Mount Joy and Markham GO stations on the Stouffville line are a short drive west.
• Highway 407 runs along the southern edge (a toll highway), and Highway 404 and the Donald Cousens Parkway connect to the wider region.
• Inside the community, walking is pleasant, with parks, schools and some shops within a few blocks. For bigger errands, most residents drive.
• Commuting to downtown Toronto takes a while. Most people use the GO train or drive.

Parks and things to do

• Cornell Community Centre and Library has a library, an indoor pool and community rooms, and it hosts programs all year.
• Cornell Community Park, Cornell Village Park and Grand Cornell Park have sports fields, playgrounds and pickleball courts. Smaller parkettes and squares are scattered through the grid.
• Rouge National Urban Park, Canada's first national urban park, is a short drive away for hiking, camping and nature trails.
• Markham Stouffville Hospital (Oak Valley Health) sits at the community's southwest corner.
• Main Street Markham, the historic heart of old Markham Village, is nearby, with heritage shops, restaurants and the Markham Museum.
• Shopping plazas along Highway 7 and Ninth Line cover groceries and everyday needs.

Homes you'll find here

• Rear-lane townhomes and semis: This is the most common housing type. Fronts face the street and garages open onto a back lane.
• Detached homes: Many have rear-lane garages, porches and traditional exteriors. Lots are usually narrower and shallower than in older suburbs, because the lane takes up part of the depth.
• Coach houses: Some properties have a small unit above the rear garage. It can mean rental income or space for family, but check whether it is legal and permitted.
• Low-rise and mid-rise condos: Clustered near Highway 7 and the community core.
• Newer phases: Ongoing construction in Cornell's later phases adds new townhomes and condos.

Who it suits

• Young families: Parks, schools, the community centre and the hospital are all close by, and the streets are walkable.
• Buyers wanting newer homes: Most homes are relatively new and in good condition.
• Multi-generational households and investors: Coach houses and basement units can add flexible space or income.
• People who want a walkable feel in the suburbs: The grid streets and front porches create a more neighbourly street life than typical crescents.

Good to know before you buy

• Coach-house legality: Not every unit over a garage is a registered second suite. Confirm permits with the City of Markham before counting on rental income.
• Lane maintenance and snow: Rear laneways are narrow, and garbage pickup and snow clearing can work differently than on front streets. Ask neighbours how it works on that block.
• Smaller yards: Laneway designs trade backyard space for the garage. If outdoor space matters, check the yard size carefully.
• Ongoing construction: Newer phases and road work on the edges of the community mean construction traffic for a while.
• School catchments: With steady growth, some schools rely on portables or boundary changes. Confirm with the York Region District School Board or York Catholic District School Board.

Thinking about buying or selling in Cornell? Talk to Mehran for a free, no-pressure conversation.

Neighbourhood guide by Mehran Salehian, Sales Representative.