“Phenomenal potential” is how David Singer, the vice-president of Madison Group’s low-rise communities, describes its Brooklin Towns development in Whitby, Ont.

“(It’s) very diverse. It’s a truly beautiful community there and it’s really community-oriented with friendly people, new amenities coming,” Singer said in an interview with RENX Homes.

The Toronto-based owner, developer and manager of residential and commercial properties took an interest in north Whitby because it is already developing in the eastern Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Durham Region, and saw untapped potential for growth.

Madison cited Whitby’s population growth of 26.5 per cent over the past 15 years, on top of a prediction by the Town of Whitby to grow by another approximately 40 per cent over the next 11 years.

Brooklin Towns will add to Madison’s portfolio of thousands of residential units in Ontario spread across the GTA in cities such as Toronto, Whitby, Brampton, Scarborough, Caledon and Waterloo.

To be located at the corner of Baldwin St. South and Roybrook Ave. at its namesake Brooklin neighbourhood, the development is planned to offer 159 townhomes built over two phases. Sales for the first phase launched in September.

About Brooklin Towns

Planning for Brooklin Towns started in 2019, with the servicing for Phase 1 completed in early 2023. Construction is slated to begin in Q1 in 2024 and end in mid-2025.

Phase 1 will encompass 59 two- and three-storey townhomes ranging from approximately 1,700 square feet to 2,500 square feet:

• 10 two-storey, three-bedroom traditional townhomes ranging from 1,697 square feet to 1,729 square feet;
• 28 city townhomes ranging from 1,944 square feet to 2,300 square feet with the option of adding a fourth bedroom; and
• 21 street townhomes that will vary from 1,951 square feet to 2,467 square feet with an optional fourth bedroom.

Pricing will start in the mid-$900,000 range.

Phase 2, which is still in the works, is planned to go into the ground “shortly” with servicing in Q1 or Q2 2024. The expectation for Phase 2 is 100 stacked urban townhomes.

Called an “amenity-rich community” by Singer, Brooklin Towns will be in proximity to grocery stores, public schools, restaurants, banks and wellness options such as a spa and yoga studio.

A major employment district with major retailers will be close by, as will Brooklin’s downtown.

A future public park will be located close to Brooklin Towns, with Brooklin Community Centre and Library, Vipond Skate Park and Eldorado Golf Club already present.

For transportation, Hwy. 407 is just a couple of minutes away as a connection to Hwys. 401 and 404. The Whitby GO Station is a 15-minute drive away, while downtown Toronto is a 55-minute train ride for travellers and commuters.

Sales and demographics

Sales for Phase 1 units were launched a few weeks ago. 

“It was a phenomenal launch. Great turnout from the local community and individuals throughout the GTA . . . Sales have been fantastic so far. We’ve been achieving all of our expectations,” Singer said.

Madison has seen three main demographics interested in Brooklin Towns.

The first is young families seeking a starter home in Brooklin, particularly the downtown area, as the townhome units Madison offers are not common in Whitby’s downtown. The second group are older homebuyers from the area who are looking to downsize. The third demographic is first-time homebuyers interested in an uncommon product for Whitby.

“For us, Brooklin is one of those phenomenal communities very unique in the GTA,” Singer said, noting its amenities and transportation and transit options. “We will be in the Brooklin community for a long time as we have future lands here as well.

“We have a strong belief and love for the Brooklin community.”

Building beyond interest rates

Madison, behind projects such as The Madison, Nobu Residences and The Capitol Residences in Toronto; Greensborough and Upcountry in Markham; and Jefferson Forest in Richmond Hill, has other sites in the wings.

Singer said thousands of units are planned for upcoming projects in the next five to 10 years in areas like Toronto’s Yonge and Eglinton, the Waterloo region and the Markham area.

The pressures of homebuilding today – interest-rate hikes and climbing labour and material costs – have led Madison to focus on designs that “incorporate various different options for the customers that we believe are wanted in today’s world,” according to Singer.

This means including home offices and options for more or fewer bedrooms and washrooms, and offering diverse product types with different floor sizes to meet a spectrum of buyers at various price points, he concluded.