Compared to downtown and parts of North York, Scarborough offers greater affordability
Scarborough is rapidly transforming from a suburban community into one of Toronto’s fastest growing condo markets. Driven by major transit expansion, population growth, and rising housing prices across the Greater Toronto Area, developers are increasingly turning their attention eastward. Today, dozens of condominium projects are planned, under construction, or in pre-construction stages across Scarborough, representing tens of thousands of future residential units.
According to several real estate development trackers, more than 50 major condo developments are currently active or proposed across Scarborough, with some industry sources estimating that well over 30,000 new residential units could eventually be added to the area over the coming years. Many of these developments are concentrated around Scarborough Town Centre, Kennedy Station, Eglinton Avenue East, and Kingston Road corridors.
The rapid pace of development also raises concerns.
One of the biggest reasons for the condo boom is affordability. Compared to downtown Toronto and many parts of North York, Scarborough still offers relatively lower condo prices, attracting first time buyers, families, investors, and newcomers to Canada. As affordability becomes a growing challenge across the GTA, Scarborough is emerging as an attractive alternative for people seeking more space and value.
Transit expansion is also playing a major role in reshaping the area. Projects such as the Scarborough Subway Extension and the Eglinton Crosstown East Extension are expected to improve connectivity throughout the region and significantly increase property demand near transit hubs. Areas around Scarborough Town Centre, Kennedy Station, and Eglinton Avenue East are already seeing major redevelopment proposals focused on high density residential living.
Scarborough Town Centre in particular is evolving into a true urban core. Developers are planning mixed use communities featuring residential towers, retail space, offices, restaurants, and public gathering areas. What was once primarily a shopping and suburban district is increasingly being designed to function like a downtown centre within Toronto’s east end.
Large redevelopment sites are another factor attracting builders. Scarborough still contains aging plazas, low rise commercial properties, and underused land parcels that can be converted into modern master planned communities. This type of large scale redevelopment opportunity has become increasingly rare in downtown Toronto.
However, the rapid pace of development also raises concerns. Residents and planners continue to debate issues such as traffic congestion, infrastructure strain, school capacity, and the preservation of community character. Some also question whether the current condo market slowdown and higher interest rates may delay certain projects.
Despite these challenges, the long term outlook for Scarborough remains strong. With major infrastructure investment, growing demand for housing, and increasing urbanization across Toronto, Scarborough is no longer viewed as simply a suburban area. It is becoming one of the city’s next major condo frontiers and a key part of Toronto’s future growth story.
By Irina Marchenkova, Toronto REALTOR® with RE/MAX Realtron, helping clients buy, sell, and invest across Scarborough and GTA.
