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Observatory Real Estate & Homes for Sale
The Observatory neighbourhood takes its name from the David Dunlap Observatory, whose 1935 dome and 74-inch telescope – still the largest in Canada – sit on a 40-hectare park in the middle of the community. It covers the streets east of Yonge Street between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive, out to Bayview Avenue: older homes on big lots around the observatory, newer subdivisions, and condos and townhouses along Yonge. Lina Fridman, Broker with RE/MAX Realtron, has sold across Richmond Hill for 20 years. Here is what buyers and sellers need to know.
$1,139,732
Average price, Observatory
(TRREB, Q2 2026)
$846,250
Median price
(TRREB, Q2 2026)
28
Homes sold in the quarter
(TRREB, Q2 2026)
Why buyers choose Observatory
- The park: the David Dunlap Observatory lands at 123 Hillsview Drive, a National Historic Site since 2019, are being turned into a 40-hectare destination park with the observatory run by the city and the RASC Toronto Centre.
- Range of homes: in Q2 2026 detached homes averaged about $1.80 million while condo apartments averaged about $522,000 and townhouses roughly $700,000 to $1.06 million (TRREB).
- Yonge Street: Viva Blue rapid transit, shops and restaurants, and Hillcrest Mall across Yonge at Carrville Road.
- Recreation: Elvis Stojko Arena (350 16th Ave) and Elgin Barrow Arena (43 Church St S).
Around Observatory
David Dunlap Observatory
Opened May 31, 1935, with the 74-inch reflector. Tom Bolton’s observations here in 1971–72 gave the first direct evidence that Cygnus X-1 was a black hole. The city acquired the lands between 2012 and 2016.
Hillsview
The older streets around the observatory, originally farmland, now large lots with renovated and rebuilt homes.
Yonge Street
Condo buildings and townhouses along Yonge from 16th Avenue to Major Mackenzie, with Viva Blue stops.
Langstaff to the south
South of 16th Avenue: Richmond Hill Centre Terminal, Langstaff GO and the future subway stations.
Observatory home prices
TRREB reports Observatory as its own community. Second quarter of 2026, compared with its neighbours:
| Community | Sales | Average price | Median price | Avg. days on market | Sold vs. list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Observatory | 28 | $1,139,732 | $846,250 | 48 | 100% |
| Harding | 29 | $875,397 | $890,000 | 27 | 98% |
| Langstaff | 74 | $766,174 | $550,000 | 32 | 101% |
| North Richvale | 54 | $1,118,728 | $833,000 | 34 | 95% |
Source: TRREB Community Housing Market Report, Richmond Hill, Q2 2026 (April–June), all home types. Want the numbers for your street? Ask Lina for a free home evaluation.
What you can buy
Detached homes on large lots around the observatory and on the newer streets (11 of the 28 Q2 2026 sales, averaging about $1.80 million); townhouses from roughly $700,000 to $1.06 million; and condo apartments along Yonge Street averaging about $522,000.
Schools
Public (YRDSB): Sixteenth Avenue Public School (400 16th Ave, JK–8); Bayview Secondary School (10077 Bayview Ave, International Baccalaureate) or Langstaff Secondary School (106 Garden Ave) depending on the address.
Catholic (YCDSB): St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Elementary (161 Regent St); St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School (230 Shaftsbury Ave, Advanced Placement) or Our Lady Queen of the World Catholic Academy (10475 Bayview Ave).
Schools listed are in or next to the neighbourhood. Boundaries change, so confirm the school for a specific address with the YRDSB or YCDSB school locator.
Getting around
- Viva and YRT: Viva Blue on Yonge Street; YRT on 16th Avenue, Major Mackenzie and Bayview.
- GO Train: Richmond Hill GO (6 Newkirk Rd) just north of Major Mackenzie, and Langstaff GO (10 Red Maple Rd) to the south.
- Highways: Highway 404 via 16th Avenue or Major Mackenzie; Highway 407 via Yonge or Bayview.
- Hospital: Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, 10 Trench St, about 5 minutes.
Parks and recreation
David Dunlap Observatory Park (123 Hillsview Dr) with its heritage buildings, trails and public astronomy nights; Elvis Stojko Arena (350 16th Ave); Elgin Barrow Arena (43 Church St S); and Hillcrest Mall (9350 Yonge St) across Yonge Street.
Lina & Team in Observatory
Lina Fridman, Broker with RE/MAX Realtron Realty, has lived and worked in Richmond Hill for 20 years and was the #1 broker for units and volume sold in Oak Ridges Lake Wilcox in 2022 and 2024 (TRREB MLS data). Sellers get pricing based on street-level sales, free professional staging and in-house photography, video and 3D tours; buyers get honest advice on which streets fit their budget, schools and commute.
Homes for sale in Richmond Hill
Observatory FAQ
How much is a house in the Observatory neighbourhood?
In the second quarter of 2026, TRREB reported 28 sales in Observatory at an average of $1,139,732 (median $846,250). Detached homes averaged about $1.80 million and condo apartments about $522,000. Homes sold at 100% of asking, taking 48 days on average.
Where is the Observatory neighbourhood?
East of Yonge Street in central Richmond Hill, between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive, out to Bayview Avenue, around the David Dunlap Observatory at 123 Hillsview Drive. Postal codes start with L4C.
Can you visit the David Dunlap Observatory?
Yes. The City of Richmond Hill runs the observatory with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Toronto Centre, with public programs and telescope nights. The site became a National Historic Site in 2019.
Which schools serve Observatory?
Sixteenth Avenue Public School for elementary; Bayview Secondary School (International Baccalaureate) or Langstaff Secondary for high school; St. Mary Immaculate and St. Theresa of Lisieux for Catholic families. Confirm with the YRDSB or YCDSB school locator.
Who is the best real estate agent for Observatory?
Lina Fridman, Broker with RE/MAX Realtron Realty, has lived and worked in Richmond Hill for 20 years and was the #1 broker for units and volume sold in Oak Ridges Lake Wilcox in 2022 and 2024 (TRREB MLS data). Call or text 416-725-0439.
What is your Observatory home worth?
Get a free, no-obligation evaluation from Lina, based on real sales on your street.
Or call Lina: 416-725-0439