After a difficult period for GTA pre-construction, Markham is suddenly becoming one of the more interesting areas to watch again.
This fall, three notable low-rise communities are entering different stages of the market:
Union Village is preparing a new phase of townhomes and single-family homes for September 26.
Unity by Starlane is a new collection of approximately 250 townhomes coming to the Warden Avenue corridor.
And Chateau Markham Towns is already selling its first phase.
These projects are not identical, and they are not necessarily targeting exactly the same buyer.
But together, they tell us something interesting about where builders still see opportunity in the GTA:
Markham continues to attract new family-oriented, ground-related housing even while the broader pre-construction market remains selective.
For buyers, that creates more choice — but also makes it more important to compare projects carefully rather than looking only at the starting price.
Why Is Markham Seeing So Much New Low-Rise Activity?
Markham has several characteristics that continue to appeal to buyers looking beyond downtown Toronto.
It combines established neighbourhoods, schools, parks, shopping, employment, Highway 404 and 407 access, York Region Transit and GO connections with proximity to Unionville and other established communities.
The three projects also illustrate something important about the current market: builders appear to be focusing on locations where buyers can clearly understand the lifestyle proposition.
Instead of selling only the idea of “future potential,” these communities are surrounded by amenities that already exist.
Union Village, for example, sits north of 16th Avenue and Kennedy Road and is positioned close to Unionville, parks, preserved natural areas and established Markham amenities.
Unity is located off Warden Avenue between Elgin Mills Road and Major Mackenzie Drive, near Angus Glen, parks, Highway 404 and 407, and within a short drive of Main Street Unionville.
Chateau Markham highlights access to Unionville GO, CF Markville, Highway 404, schools, parks and Markham’s existing commercial and employment base.
So although these are new-build communities, they are not being introduced in areas that require buyers to wait years for basic neighbourhood infrastructure to arrive.
Union Village: A New Phase in an Established Master-Planned Community
Of the three, Union Village is the most established as a larger master-planned development.
Developed by Minto Communities and Metropia, the community is located north of 16th Avenue and Kennedy Road and includes both townhomes and detached homes.
Minto currently confirms that a new phase of single-family homes and townhomes is coming September 26, 2026. Floorplans, pricing and specific release details are being introduced with the new release.
What makes Union Village different is its scale.
This is not simply one row of newly released townhomes. The project was planned as a broader neighbourhood with parks, preserved wetlands, different housing types and a more traditional residential-community feel.
That may appeal particularly to buyers who want a newer home but still prefer a neighbourhood that feels more similar to an established suburban community.
It also offers something the other two projects do not currently emphasize to the same extent:
a choice between townhome and single-family products.
For move-up buyers, larger families or purchasers who want to remain in Markham long term, that can make Union Village worth comparing with both resale housing and other new-build options.
Unity: 250 New Townhomes in North Markham
Unity by Starlane Home Corporation takes a different approach.
Rather than offering a mix of detached and townhome products, Unity is focused specifically on townhouses.
Starlane currently describes the project as a collection of approximately 250 townhomes, including rear-lane and back-to-back designs, located off Warden Avenue between Elgin Mills Road East and Major Mackenzie Drive. The official project page currently lists Unity as Coming Soon.
That location gives Unity a somewhat different identity from Union Village.
It sits closer to the Angus Glen and north Markham area and offers relatively easy access to Highway 404, while still keeping Unionville, Markville and other parts of Markham within reach.
Nearby recreational amenities include Angus Glen Community Centre, Angus Glen Golf Club and several major parks and conservation areas.
From a buyer’s perspective, Unity may be particularly interesting for purchasers who want:
- a newly built townhome rather than a high-rise condo;
- a north Markham location;
- access to the Warden/404 corridor;
- modern rear-lane or back-to-back layouts;
- a project that is still early enough in its release cycle to follow before full public details are available.
As of now, Starlane’s public project page does not yet publish final pricing or home sizes, so buyers should be careful with unofficial price lists circulating online and verify current information before making comparisons.
Chateau Markham: New Townhomes Surrounded by Established Amenities
Chateau Markham Towns by Regency is further along in its sales process.
The official project website currently lists Phase 1 as Now Selling.
Chateau is focused on multi-level Village Townhomes, with layouts designed over several levels and private garage space. The developer describes the homes as contemporary townhouses with main living areas, family space and multiple bedrooms spread across the upper floors.
Its biggest selling point may be the surrounding environment.
Rather than relying primarily on the future development of a new neighbourhood, Chateau is marketed around access to existing Markham amenities, including CF Markville, Unionville GO, parks, restaurants, Highway 404 and the broader Unionville/Markham area. The developer says Unionville GO is approximately an eight-minute drive from the project.
For buyers who prioritize convenience and an already established urban-suburban setting, that may make Chateau worth comparing with resale townhomes in similar parts of Markham.
These Three Projects Are Not Really Competing on the Same Thing
At first glance, it is easy to say:
“They’re all Markham townhomes — which one is cheapest?”
But that may be the wrong starting point.
Each community has a different positioning.
Union Village offers the broader master-planned-community experience and a mix of townhomes and single-family housing.
Unity is a more concentrated new townhome community in north Markham, with rear-lane and back-to-back designs.
Chateau Markham emphasizes townhome living with convenient access to an already established part of Markham.
So buyers should compare more than just the advertised entry price.
The better questions include:
What type of home are you actually getting?
A back-to-back townhome and a traditional townhome with a private garage are very different products.
How much interior space does the home provide?
What is the deposit structure?
When is occupancy or closing expected?
Are there maintenance or private-road fees?
What development charges and closing adjustments apply?
Is assignment permitted, and under what conditions?
What incentives are currently available?
What is already built around the community today?
These details can easily outweigh a relatively small difference in advertised price.
Why This Matters in the Current Pre-Construction Market
The timing is also interesting.
Toronto-area new-home construction has been under significant pressure, particularly in ownership housing.
CMHC recently warned that Toronto still needs substantially more housing construction over the next decade, even though condo and other ownership-oriented construction has weakened. In the City of Toronto specifically, condo starts fell dramatically in the first half of 2026.
Against that backdrop, seeing multiple low-rise communities being released or prepared for launch in Markham is worth paying attention to.
It does not necessarily mean the entire pre-construction market has suddenly recovered.
Instead, it may suggest builders are becoming more selective.
Projects in established GTA locations, particularly those offering family-sized ground-related housing, may be positioned differently from high-rise investor-driven condo developments.
That distinction matters for buyers.
A new townhouse purchased primarily as a long-term family home should be evaluated very differently from a small condo purchased primarily for investment.
Should Buyers Choose Pre-Construction or Resale in Markham Right Now?
There is no universal answer.
The resale market may offer:
- a home you can physically inspect;
- faster occupancy;
- established neighbourhood conditions;
- more certainty around the final property;
- potentially stronger negotiating opportunities in a softer market.
Pre-construction may offer:
- a brand-new home;
- newer design and finishes;
- more time before final closing;
- access to housing types that are limited in the resale market;
- certain launch incentives or deposit structures.
But buyers also need to consider construction timelines, closing adjustments, development charges, financing risk and the possibility that market conditions may change before the home is completed.
That is why comparing a new project only against another new project can be misleading.
A buyer considering a $1-million-plus new townhome should usually also look at what comparable resale properties can be purchased for today.
JDL Realty’s Perspective
What makes Markham interesting this fall is not simply that there are three new projects.
It is that three different builders are bringing different forms of ground-related housing into the market at roughly the same time.
Union Village is adding another chapter to an established master-planned community.
Unity is bringing a large new collection of townhomes to north Markham.
Chateau Markham is already selling a townhome product surrounded by established Markham amenities.
For buyers, more choice is useful.
But more choice also makes comparison more important.
Do not choose simply because one project advertises a lower starting price.
Look at:
location, home type, usable space, deposit requirements, fees, closing costs, builder terms and your own timeline.
The best project is not necessarily the one with the lowest number on the price sheet.
It is the one that fits what you are actually trying to buy.
At JDL Realty, we help buyers compare new developments with both competing pre-construction projects and the current resale market, so the decision is based on the full picture rather than one promotional package.
If you are considering Union Village, Unity, Chateau Markham Towns or another Markham new-home community, contact JDL Realty for current availability, project details and a side-by-side comparison based on your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Union Village launching a new phase?
Yes. Minto currently states that a new phase of single-family homes and townhomes is coming on September 26, 2026.
Has Unity officially launched yet?
Starlane currently lists Unity as Coming Soon. It is planned as approximately 250 rear-lane and back-to-back townhomes near Warden Avenue and Elgin Mills Road East.
Is Chateau Markham Towns selling now?
Yes. The official Chateau Markham website currently lists Phase 1 as Now Selling.
Which Markham project is better?
That depends on the buyer’s priorities. Union Village, Unity and Chateau differ in location, housing type, project scale and stage of release. Buyers should compare current pricing, floorplans, deposits, fees and closing terms rather than relying only on the project headline.
Your Industry Experts
We’re here to help. Whether you’re an agent or a client, we have the support and expertise you need to thrive in your next endeavour.
