Neighbourhood guide · Toronto & the GTA
Living in Lawrence Park: Neighbourhood & Real Estate Guide
Moving to Lawrence Park? Luxury homes, 2026 prices, subway access, top schools and ravines, plus honest pros and cons from Realtor Irina Marchenkova.
By Irina Marchenkova, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Realtron Realty · Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) · Last updated September 2026
Lawrence Park is one of Toronto’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, set in North Toronto between Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue around Lawrence Avenue. Developed in the early 1900s as a garden suburb, it’s known for grand detached homes, winding tree-lined streets, deep ravines and highly regarded schools.
This guide covers Lawrence Park’s pockets, homes and prices, transit, schools, parks and the honest pros and cons.
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Lawrence Park at a glance
- Where: North Toronto, between Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue around Lawrence Avenue
- Homes: Large detached homes from the 1910s to 1930s, many renovated, plus custom rebuilds
- Transit: Line 1 at Lawrence and Eglinton, with Line 5 Eglinton connecting at Eglinton station
- Best for: Established families, move-up buyers and those focused on schools
- Big draws: Ravines, Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens, top public and private schools
Why people choose Lawrence Park
Architecture and streetscapes. Tudor, Georgian and Arts and Crafts homes sit on large lots along curving, tree-lined streets.
Schools families seek out. Lawrence Park Collegiate and several strong elementary schools are here, with well-known private schools nearby.
Ravines and gardens. Lawrence Park Ravine, Blythwood Ravine and Sherwood Park weave through the neighbourhood.
Close to everything. Yonge Street shops and restaurants, two subway stations and midtown are minutes away.
Lawrence Park homes rarely come up in every pocket at once, so serious buyers benefit from being ready with financing and a clear wish list. When the right house appears, you’ll want to move with confidence.
— Irina Marchenkova
Lawrence Park neighbourhoods
The Lawrence Park area includes:
Lawrence Park South
South of Lawrence Avenue, with some of the area’s grandest homes along winding streets near Blythwood Ravine and Sherwood Park.
Lawrence Park North
North of Lawrence toward Yonge and Bayview, with slightly smaller lots and many renovated family homes.
Lytton Park & Wanless Park (nearby)
Neighbouring family pockets west and east with similar character homes and local schools.
Homes and prices in Lawrence Park
Lawrence Park’s housing is mainly:
- Large detached homes from the 1910s to 1930s in Tudor, Georgian and Arts and Crafts styles
- Custom-built new homes replacing older houses
- A small number of townhouses and condos along the Yonge and Bayview corridors
Lawrence Park benchmark prices (September 2026)
Lawrence Park is part of TRREB’s Toronto C04 district:
| District | Main neighbourhoods | All homes | Detached |
|---|---|---|---|
| C04 | Lawrence Park North & South, Bedford Park-Nortown | $1,862,100 | $2,390,800 |
| City of Toronto | All districts | $908,200 | $1,417,600 |
Benchmark prices describe a “typical” home and can differ from any individual sale, and many Lawrence Park homes sell well above the benchmark. C04’s composite benchmark was down 2.33% year over year in September 2026, a smaller drop than the City of Toronto’s 3.84% and a sign of how resilient demand is here. Ask me for recent sold prices on any street.
Thinking of selling? Get a free home evaluation and I’ll show you what comparable homes near you have actually sold for.
Market snapshot
Here’s how many homes sold and at what prices in September 2026, for all home types combined:
| Area | Homes sold | Average price | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Central (incl. North York & downtown) | 924 | $1,102,955 | $721,000 |
| City of Toronto | 1,937 | $1,034,320 | $810,000 |
| All TRREB (GTA) | 5,040 | $1,006,409 | $860,000 |
Across the whole GTA in September 2026, homes sold for about 98% of their final list price on average and spent an average of 34 days on the market. GTA sales were down 9.0% from a year earlier and the average price was down 5.1%, so buyers have more choice and negotiating room than in recent years. For the latest numbers on a specific street or building, ask me for a free market report.
What it costs to buy in Lawrence Park
Land transfer tax
Because Lawrence Park is in the City of Toronto, buyers pay two land transfer taxes: Ontario’s and Toronto’s municipal land transfer tax. Here’s what that looks like at typical prices:
| Example purchase | Ontario LTT | Toronto LTT | Total | First-time buyer pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached home at $2,500,000 | $48,975 | $48,975 | $97,950 | $89,475 |
| Condo apartment at $680,000 | $10,075 | $10,075 | $20,150 | $11,675 |
First-time buyers can get a refund of up to $4,000 on the Ontario land transfer tax and a rebate of up to $4,475 on the Toronto tax (together up to $8,475). You (and your spouse) must never have owned a home anywhere in the world. Land transfer tax is paid on closing, on top of your down payment, so budget for it along with legal fees, title insurance and moving costs.
Property taxes
Toronto’s residential property tax rate is 0.767311% (2026 final rate, City of Toronto), or about $767 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value. In Ontario, property tax is based on your home’s MPAC assessed value, which is still based on January 1, 2016 values and is usually well below today’s market price. You can find a home’s assessment on its latest tax bill or through MPAC.
| MPAC assessed value | Approximate yearly property tax |
|---|---|
| $400,000 | $3,069 |
| $600,000 | $4,604 |
| $800,000 | $6,138 |
| $1,000,000 | $7,673 |
Getting around
- Line 1 Yonge: Lawrence and Eglinton stations on the western edge.
- Line 5 Eglinton: Opened February 2026, connecting with Line 1 at Eglinton station.
- Buses: Routes along Lawrence and Bayview.
- Driving: Quick access to Highway 401 and the Don Valley Parkway.
Schools and family life
Lawrence Park is served by the Toronto District School Board, including Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute and well-regarded elementary schools such as John Wanless, Blythwood and Glenview Senior Public School. Well-known private schools, including Havergal College and the Toronto French School, are nearby. Always check the TDSB school locator for a specific address.
Quiet streets, ravine trails and nearby community programs make it a popular choice for families.
Child care
Licensed child care in Ontario is far more affordable than it was a few years ago. At centres enrolled in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program, fees for children under 6 are capped at $22 a day in 2026, and families with lower incomes can apply for a fee subsidy that reduces the cost further. (The long-promised $10-a-day average has not yet been reached in Ontario.)
In Toronto, the City’s online child care system lets you search licensed centres, see their quality ratings and join waitlists, and you can apply for a fee subsidy through Toronto Children’s Services.
My tip: get on waitlists as early as possible, ideally several months before you move or before parental leave ends, and ask each centre whether it’s enrolled in the reduced-fee program.
- Ontario: Find and pay for child care: search licensed centres province-wide and learn about fee subsidies
- City of Toronto: Licensed Child Care: search centres, see quality ratings, join waitlists and apply for a fee subsidy
Parks, shopping and things to do
- Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens and Lawrence Park Ravine
- Sherwood Park and Blythwood Ravine: trails and off-leash areas
- Yonge Street: shops, cafés and restaurants from Lawrence to Eglinton
- Bayview Avenue: boutiques and dining
- Sunnybrook Park and Edwards Gardens a short drive away
- Evergreen Brick Works: a short drive away via the Don Valley
- Yonge and Eglinton: shopping, restaurants and the Line 5 interchange
- Toronto Botanical Garden and Edwards Gardens: gardens a short drive east
- Mount Pleasant Cemetery trails: a peaceful, tree-lined walking route popular with locals
Pros and cons of living in Lawrence Park
Pros
- Beautiful character homes on large lots
- Top-rated public and private schools nearby
- Ravines and gardens throughout
- Subway access at Lawrence and Eglinton
- Resilient property values
Cons
- Among Toronto’s most expensive neighbourhoods
- Few condo or townhouse options
- Older homes can need costly updates
- Limited inventory at any given time
- Yonge and Lawrence traffic at peak times
Before you buy in Lawrence Park: local checklist
Every area has its own rules and quirks. Here’s what I check with buyers in Lawrence Park:
- Toronto Vacant Home Tax: every Toronto homeowner must file a yearly occupancy declaration; homes left vacant more than six months can be taxed at 3% of assessed value.
- Trees and ravines: removing or injuring trees of 30 cm diameter or more needs a City permit, and properties near ravines fall under Toronto’s Ravine and Natural Feature Protection by-law and may be regulated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).
- Heritage: check whether the home is on Toronto’s Heritage Register or in a Heritage Conservation District, which can limit exterior changes.
- Older homes: homes built before the mid-1950s may still have a lead water service pipe, knob-and-tube wiring or galvanized plumbing, so a thorough home inspection is essential.
- More units allowed: Toronto now permits up to four units (multiplexes) plus garden and laneway suites on most residential lots, which can add rental or family-living options.
- Ravine lots: many Lawrence Park homes back onto ravines, where TRCA and City rules can restrict additions, pools and tree removal.
- Condos: always review the status certificate, reserve fund study and any upcoming special assessments before you firm up an offer.
- Non-Canadian buyers: check the current federal foreign-buyer rules and Ontario’s 25% Non-Resident Speculation Tax and Toronto’s 10% Municipal Non-Resident Speculation Tax before making an offer.
Buying or selling in Lawrence Park with Irina
I’m a RE/MAX Realtron Realty Sales Representative and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®). Whether you’re moving up to a family home, buying near a particular school or selling a long-held property, I’ll give you honest, local advice about Lawrence Park, in English or Russian.
- Buying with Irina: how I help buyers find the right home and negotiate well
- Selling with Irina: pricing, preparation and marketing that gets results
- Pre-construction: new condos and homes across the GTA
- Free home evaluation: find out what your home is worth today
- First-time buyer guide, mortgage pre-approval and closing costs: plan your budget before you shop
- New to Canada? My guide to buying a home as a newcomer
Call or text 416-846-8064 or email irina@loveurlife.ca, or send me a message below.
Plan your move to Lawrence Park
Where is Lawrence Park?
Gold pin: Lawrence Park. Click any white pin to open that neighbourhood’s guide.
What would I pay each month?
Start from a typical Lawrence Park price (MLS® HPI benchmark, September 2026) or type your own:
The 4.5% interest rate is only an example; use the rate your lender or mortgage broker quotes. 30-year amortizations on insured mortgages are for first-time buyers and new builds. Toronto buyers pay both Ontario and Toronto land transfer tax. This is an estimate, not financial advice.
How have prices changed this year?
Typical price for all home types in TRREB district C04: $1,862,100 in September 2026, -1.9% since October 2025 ($1,897,800).
MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark, October 2025 to September 2026. Source: TRREB Market Watch. Hover over a point to see that month’s figure.
Check your commute
Live travel times from Google Maps, starting in Lawrence Park. Tip: check at the time of day you’d actually travel.
Lawrence Park real estate FAQ
How much does a house cost in Lawrence Park?
In September 2026, TRREB’s benchmark price for a typical detached home in the C04 district (which includes Lawrence Park) was $2,390,800. Many homes on premium streets sell well above that.
Is Lawrence Park a good investment?
Lawrence Park has historically held its value well. In September 2026, its district benchmark was slightly up year over year while most of Toronto dipped, reflecting steady demand.
What schools are in Lawrence Park?
Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute and elementary schools such as John Wanless, Blythwood and Glenview Senior Public School are here, with private schools like Havergal College and the Toronto French School nearby.
Is Lawrence Park in North York?
No. Lawrence Park is in North Toronto, part of the former City of Toronto, just south of North York.
What subway stations serve Lawrence Park?
Lawrence and Eglinton stations on Line 1 Yonge. Line 5 Eglinton connects at Eglinton station.
Useful links
Official sources and local resources I recommend to buyers and sellers (links open in a new tab):
- City of Toronto
- Toronto property tax rates: 2026 rates
- Toronto municipal land transfer tax: rates and fees
- Toronto first-time buyer land transfer tax rebate
- Ontario first-time buyer land transfer tax refund
- Toronto Vacant Home Tax: yearly occupancy declaration
- MPAC: look up a property’s assessed value
- TDSB school locator: find your public schools
- Toronto Catholic District School Board
- Fraser Institute school rankings: compare Ontario school results
- TTC: subway, streetcar and bus routes
- GO Transit: regional trains and buses
- Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): check if a property is in a regulated area
- TRREB Market Watch: monthly GTA sales and price data
Explore nearby areas
- North York: just north
- Willowdale: Yonge Street living further north
- Don Mills: mid-century homes to the east
- The Beaches: lakeside living in the east end
- All area guides: every neighbourhood guide in one place
- Interactive map: see every area on one clickable map
- Forest Hill
Compare neighbourhoods: Most affordable areas · Best for families · Best for downsizing · First-time buyer guide · Downsizing guide · All neighbourhood guides