The "Transit Premium": How the Ontario Line and East Harbour are Supercharging Riverside Square Condo Values

If you are buying real estate in Toronto in 2026, the golden rule of investing remains unchanged: follow the infrastructure.

While the broader Toronto condo market navigates fluctuating interest rates and shifting buyer demand this summer, savvy investors and homebuyers are quietly zeroing in on one specific pocket of the city: South Riverdale. Why? Because the neighborhood surrounding Riverside Square (at Queen and Broadview) is currently ground zero for the largest transit and urban development expansion in Canadian history.

If you own a unit at Riverside Square—or are considering buying into 15, 25, 30, or 45 Baseball Place—here is why the upcoming transit boom is about to radically transform your property’s value.

1. The Ontario Line: The "Riverside-Leslieville" Station

For decades, the East End’s only minor drawback was its reliance on streetcars to get into the Financial District. That narrative is officially dead.

Active construction is well underway on the Ontario Line, a 15.6-kilometre subway line that will completely reshape transit in Toronto. Just a short walk from the Riverside Square lobby will be the brand-new Riverside-Leslieville Station.

  • The Real Estate Impact: Historically, Toronto real estate data shows that condos located within a 500-metre walking distance of a new subway station experience a "Transit Premium"—typically a 10% to 15% bump in property value as the station nears completion. By securing a unit at Riverside Square today, buyers are positioning themselves perfectly ahead of this massive catalyst.

2. East Harbour: Toronto’s "Second Downtown" is Next Door

You cannot talk about the future of Riverside Square without talking about the 130-acre behemoth being built just south of the neighborhood: East Harbour.

Billed as Toronto’s next major downtown core, East Harbour is currently being developed into a massive commercial and transit hub that will bring an estimated 50,000 new jobs to the area. It will feature millions of square feet of office space, retail, and entertainment, all anchored by a transit hub that will connect the Ontario Line, GO Transit, and future streetcar lines.

  • The Rental Demand Explosion: What happens when 50,000 high-paying tech, finance, and corporate jobs move to the East End? A localized housing shortage. Executives and young professionals will naturally want to live within walking distance of their new East Harbour offices. Riverside Square stands as the premier, modern, amenity-rich condo community immediately adjacent to this booming job center, virtually guaranteeing incredibly high rental demand and premium lease rates for investors over the next decade.

3. Unmatched DVP and Highway Access

While the future of transit is exciting, Riverside Square already holds a massive trump card for commuters today: unparalleled highway access.

In a city where gridlock is front-page news, Riverside Square residents can pull out of the Baseball Place underground garage and merge onto the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) or the Gardiner Expressway in less than two minutes. Whether you are commuting north to Markham, west to Mississauga, or heading out of town for the weekend, bypassing the downtown traffic crawl is a luxury that buyers are actively willing to pay a premium for in 2026.

4. Getting in Before the "Priced-In" Peak

The most common mistake Toronto real estate buyers make is waiting for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. By the time the Ontario Line trains are running and the East Harbour office towers are fully leased, the massive jump in neighborhood property values will have already happened.

Right now, the market is presenting a rare window of opportunity. With active resale inventory currently available at 665 Queen St E and the Baseball Place towers, buyers have the leverage to negotiate favorable purchase prices before the full magnitude of these mega-projects is priced into the neighborhood.

The Bottom Line

Riverside Square isn't just a place to live; it is a front-row seat to the most exciting urban transformation in North America. With transit connectivity about to skyrocket and a new economic hub rising next door, these suites represent one of the smartest, most secure real estate plays in Toronto right now.

Want to beat the transit boom? Whether you are looking for a loft-style suite at 15 Baseball Place or a skyline-view unit at 45 Baseball Place, our team has exclusive access to the best inventory. Contact us today to book a private viewing or get a 2026 home valuation!  riversidesquarecondos.ca

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