Downtown Markham – a transformative master-planned community
September 18, 2025
Downtown Markham isn’t just a development; it’s an unfolding story. This transformative project of epic scale not only reimagines what it means to live in a modern city, but is reshaping how other builders envision their own communities, serving as the defining model of how a modern city can look, feel and function.
Rising in the heart of York Region, this 243-acre master-planned community by The Remington Group is one of the most ambitious urban developments in North America. Here, the principles of smart growth, sustainability and design excellence converge to create a complete community – a place where people live, work, learn and thrive.
Long-term vision and careful planning
Already home to more than 4,500 residents, Downtown Markham is entering its next phase, with more than 2,525 new condominium homes soon to arrive. At full build-out, this vibrant core will feature approximately 20,000 residences, forming a dense yet human-scaled neighbourhood. Walkability, cultural amenities, retail destinations and educational anchors are not afterthoughts – they are the foundation. This is city living with purpose, rooted in community values and shaped by long-term vision and careful planning.
Unlike many new communities, Downtown Markham places greenspace at its centre. An expansive, linear park system will run through the community and connect directly to the protected greenspace of the Rouge River Watershed, which ultimately connects to Rouge National Urban Park, one of the country’s most treasured natural landscapes.
This isn’t just about recreation – it’s about rethinking the relationship between the built environment and nature. It’s a place to jog or hike along groomed trails but also a place where that daily coffee becomes a stroll under the trees and alongside flowing water. Imagine evenings spent watching the sunset in the park instead of sitting in traffic. Here, in Downtown Markham, wellness and sustainability are seamlessly integrated into daily life, offering a lifestyle rooted in balance and connection.
Remarkably resilient
Just steps away, York University’s Markham Campus (YUMC) brings a new dimension: Youthful energy, academic excellence and a future-forward mindset. The campus transforms the district into a centre of innovation and talent, offering residents not just proximity to learning, but access to an entire knowledge economy rooted in the very businesses that have made Markham the nation’s technology and life sciences hub. Beyond providing an educational resource, the campus represents a deliberate strategy in urban synergies: Pairing residential density with cultural vitality, employment opportunities and institutional presence.
In a climate where many residential real estate projects face challenges, Downtown Markham has proven remarkably resilient. Developments such as Gallery Square and Gallery Towers have achieved high occupancy rates. This stability is driven by a unique buyer profile: End-users and long-term investors who see value beyond speculation. They’re not investing in a property, but rather a community that suits a variety or lifestyles.
For families, professionals and entrepreneurs, the appeal of Downtown Markham is clear: A walkable urban core where lifestyle is the amenity. Shops, schools, offices, restaurants, parks, entertainment and cultural spaces are all at your doorstep. This is a neighbourhood built for the human experience.
Downtown Markham is also home to one of Canada’s most ambitious public art programs – a $35-million investment that weaves art into everyday life. From sculptures in public plazas to murals that transform streetscapes, art is part of the city’s DNA. Beyond the visual, this cultural framework extends into community life with music festivals, family-friendly block parties and public gatherings that animate the streets and plazas. The iconic Pride of Canada Carousel further anchors this spirit of placemaking, serving not only as a beloved attraction but as a venue for community walks, birthdays and cultural celebrations.
Long-term commitment
Here, art is not ornamental but integral to placemaking, designed to shape how people experience and remember the city. Soon, a dedicated 20,00-sq.-ft. art gallery and event space will anchor this vision, showcasing a curated collection acquired specifically for Downtown Markham. For The Remington Group, this commitment reflects more than aesthetics – it is a demonstration of the company’s long-term commitment to the communities it creates, ensuring stewardship continues well beyond construction, embracing its residence and visitors and enriching them with art and experiences that inspire, connect and endure.
For more than 75 years, The Remington Group has been shaping communities across Ontario. Now in its third generation of leadership, the developer brings unparalleled experience to its flagship master-planned community. Every decision – from architectural form and building materials to retail partnerships and transit connections – reflects a long-term vision for a resilient and desirable city core.
Downtown Markham is not just another development. It is a model for the future of urban living: Connected but intimate, modern but deeply human. It offers not only a place to live, but a new way of living – one that is sustainable, inspiring, a narrative unfolding in real time. This is a city designed not just to be built, but to endure. Made to connect, inspire and thrive.
For more information and to register, visit remingtongroupinc.com.