1 Royal Orchard Boulevard

Nestled in the forested neighbourhood of Thornhill, 1 Royal Orchard Blvd is a 13 storey condos that’s home to 139 suites. The tower was constructed in 1972 and the exterior does show its age — and yet, buyers would be wise not to judge this book by its cover, because homes at 1 Royal Orchard Blvd offer excellent value.

1 Royal Orchard Blvd hosts recreational amenities designed to put residents at ease; there are tennis courts on-site, an indoor swimming pool and saunas, a basketball court, and a recreation room and party room. Residents have underground parking and visitor parking is available for friends and family.

While this residence doesn’t have the flash of newer condos in the area, price per square foot has consistently stayed below the neighbourhood average, so the lack of curb appeal translates to savings. For buyers in search of lesser density or a great deal, this condo is one to short list.

One of the largest distinctions between this condo and some of the new buildings in the area is that units at 1 Royal Orchard Condos can be 2 or 3 times larger than modern Toronto condos with comparable floor plans. Floor plans start at 979 square feet for a 2 bedroom suite up to 1750 square feet for the largest 3 bedroom units in the building.

Because of the age of this condo, prospective buyers could find a divergence in features, finishes, and layouts, as some condos have been completely remodelled. Most units follow apartment-like layouts and have enclave or galley kitchens, separate from the living room. These homes don’t skimp on storage space and some have pantries.

Buyers can expect hardwood flooring in most units. Bedrooms are large by condo standards and also have ample storage. All suites have oversized private balconies, and in-suite laundry.

Thornhill is a distinctly suburban neighbourhood in Markham. The area is littered with sprawling green spaces — home to winding trails, forested area, playgrounds, and sports fields. Residents of 1 Royal Orchard Condos can walk to The Thornhill Club for a round of golf or play tennis at Thornhill Park Tennis Club.

For dining out, there’s Eggsmart just across the street, and also Royal Orchard Thai Cuisine, Oishi Sushi, and Pizza Pizza. When the weekend rolls around, there’s Thornhill Pub for a craft brew on the patio.

Centerpoint Mall is situated to the south of the neighbourhood and hosts a reasonable retail selection, and there’s to the west of the neighbourhood at Promenade shopping mall.

Thornhill isn’t regarded as an urban area but condos residents at 1 Royal Orchard Condos have a great location for running errands on foot; Food Basics is less than a 5 minute walk from the lobby doors, and Shoppers Drug Mart is even closer. There are nearby banks and salons, and numerous specialized shops within walking distance.

Public transit users have bus routes running outside of the building but connecting to a nearby GO Station can take close to 30 mins.

Car owners can head south on Bayview and reach the 401 in about 10 minutes.