Observatory

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Observatory
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      History:

      Alexander Marsh established a farmstead on these lands in 1815. The area remained as farmland until 1932, when Jessie Donalda Dunlap bought the farmstead for the then princely sum of $28,000 and promptly donated it to the University of Toronto as a memorial for her husband David Dunlap. David Dunlap had amassed great wealth in the mining and gold industries and also had a passion for astronomy. The University of Toronto were looking for a new astronomy site to replace their old facility in downtown Toronto which was no longer suitable due to light pollution. The backdrop of what was then rural Richmond Hill proved to be an ideal choice.

      When construction was completed in 1935, the new Observatory included a dome which housed the second largest telescope in the world and the largest in Canada. The Observatory continued to operate until 2007. In 2008 the land encompassing the Observatory was sold to developers.The Observatory was considered to have heritage significance by York Region and Richmond Hill and so an agreement was reached with the developer whereby the City of Richmond Hill would obtain ownership of half of the property while the eastern portion of the property would be developed as a residential subdivision. In 2018 after a few years in limbo the David Dunlap Observatory has once again been opened to the public and plans are in place to make it a focal point of the new neighbourhood that is sprouting up around it.

      Overview:

      The focal point of this neighbourhood is the landmark David Dunlap Observatory, an internationally renowned destination in the field of Astronomy. The DDO is surrounded by conservation and parkland forming a wide swath of greenspace in this densely populated neighbourhood filled with subdivisions and custom infill housing. The land abutting the DDO is currently being redeveloped into a master planned community by the name of Observatory Hill. Observatory Hill will bring new activity centres, sporting facilities, walking paths and other new amenities to the neighbourhood.

      The CN Railway Line and the western branch of the Rouge River meander in a southerly direction through the neighbourhood. The David Dunlap Observatory Park, Richmond Hill Montessori and the Elvis Stojko arena are other prominent neighbourhood landmarks. The residents living in the many new condos along Yonge Street will welcome a proposed bridge that will allow them to cross safely above the railway tracks and enjoy the DDO and surrounding parkland.

      Lifestyle:

      South Hill shopping centre off Yonge Street is an expansive outdoor shopping plaza anchored by a No Frills grocery store. Additional retailers include: banks, medical offices, restaurants, beauty salons and a fitness studio and a family entertainment centre.

      Homes:

      Observatory is a densely populated neighbourhood chalk full of houses suiting many different tastes and budgets. The original housing stock dates largely to the 1980s and 90s and consists of typical detached, semi-detached and townhomes. The housing options have recently expanded with the influx of new condominium buildings along the Yonge Street corridor.

      The most recent addition to the neighbourhood is Observatory Hill which is a master planned community being developed next to the David Dunlap Observatory. Observatory Hill will include a collection of townhomes, semi-detached and single family detached modern luxury homes. Observatory Hill proposed amenities will be out of this world and include: an Amphitheatre, a Conservatory, a Skating Trail, Tennis Courts, playgrounds and the glowing Star Path. Picnic in the Great Lawn, or watch the local wildlife including white tail deer in the Wetlands and Wildlife Sanctuary.

      Recreation:

      Elvis Stojko arena located at 350 16th Avenue offers recreational skating as well as figure skating and organized hockey leagues.

      David Dunlap Observatory Park on Berwick Avenue is the largest greenspace in the neighbourhood. This wide open green space has nice walking trails and is perfect for picnics and star gazing.

      Arts:

      The David Dunlap Observatory hosts an astronomy series geared towards, adults, children and families.

          Featured Listings

          Observatory Stats

          Walkability:

          Medium

          Bikeability:

          Low

          Public Transit:

          High

          Affordability:

          Medium

          Greenspace:

          Medium

          Recreation:

          Medium

           

          Legend: Low, Medium, High

          Commute Times

          Time to Closest Shopping Mall:
          5 Minutes
          Time to GO Bus or Train Station:
          5 Minutes
          Time To Hospital:
          15 Minutes
          Time to Toronto Pearson International Airport
          40 Minutes
          Time to Closest Highway:
          5 Minutes

          * All commuting times provided are approximate times only. Commute times may increase or decrease depending on where you live within the neighbourhood and the time of day i.e rush hour versus off hour commutes. Time estimates to public transit are based on walking distance or bus line connection whichever is quicker. All other commute times on the chart above are based on drive times.