Scarborough is where the real opportunity is. Forget the core. Land, zoning, and community needs here are lining up to make it the most strategic place to build 6-unit multiplexes in Toronto right now.

Detached homes near the Toronto core are stuffy and land is expensive, with limitations around lot sizes. 

Meanwhile, in Scarborough North, something big is happening. Quietly. Organically. And it’s not about towers or condos. It’s about small-scale, purpose-built rentals—built as-of-right and tailored for the future.

If you’re looking for the next high-impact real estate move, Scarborough North is it.

Here’s why.

1. The Lots Are Bigger—and Still Affordable

Scarborough has what the core doesn’t: land.

  • Wider frontages (50–60 ft is common)
  • Longer lots (120–150 ft depth)
  • Bungalows and small homes that are easy to demolish

And here’s the kicker: You can still find buildable lots under $1 million—something almost impossible west of Victoria Park.

These oversized lots are ideal for as-of-right 6-unit multiplexes or with a lot severance you can double the density.

2. Zoning Reform Actually Works Here

Scarborough North multiplex zoning now allows 6-unit buildings as-of-right.

But in downtown neighborhoods, those rules often hit barriers:

  • Heritage overlays
  • Complicated site conditions
  • More NIMBY opposition when variances are required 

Scarborough North? You can move fast.

  • Fewer heritage restrictions
  • Simpler topography
  • More pro-housing communities

In other words: you can actually build what the zoning allows—without a battle.

3. Transit Expansion Is Unlocking Value

Scarborough isn’t just sprawl anymore. It’s getting serious transit investment:

  • Eglinton East LRT is in design
  • Scarborough Subway Extension is under construction
  • Local GO stations are gaining frequency

All of this makes Scarborough North more connected than ever before—and it drives long-term demand for quality rentals near major corridors.

Smart developers are already mapping future LRT and subway stops to plan their builds.

4. Strong Demand, Stable Renters

Scarborough tenants aren’t transients. They’re:

  • Families
  • Health care workers
  • Students at U of T Scarborough or Centennial College
  • Newcomers building long-term roots

These renters want:

  • 1- and 2-bedroom units
  • Transit access
  • Quiet, stable neighborhoods

And they’re willing to pay for it. Many Scarborough 2-bed rentals now exceed $2,700/month, and demand is still strong.

Build the right product—and your vacancy stays near zero.

5. The CMHC Financing Model Works Beautifully Here

Because Scarborough land is cheaper and zoning allows gentle density, your cost-to-value ratio makes CMHC MLI Select financing a perfect fit:

  • Up to 95% LTV
  • 50-year amortization
  • Low rates for energy-efficient, affordable builds

That means:

  • Lower equity needed up front
  • Better cash flow from day one
  • Stronger ROI for your investors

In fact, Scarborough North is one of the few submarkets in Toronto where you gain a stronger cash flow from the allowable 4-unit as-of-right to 6-unit as of right, or 12-units as-of-right with a severance. 

6. You’re Not Competing with Towers

High-rise development is bloated—too risky, too slow, and way too expensive. And what do you get at the end? A stuffy, shoebox-sized unit no one wants to live in.

Scarborough North is different. The focus is Missing Middle housing:

  • 6-unit walkups
  • Family-sized rentals
  • Faster build times
  • Gentle infill and no NIMBY pushback

This means smaller players—like you—can build and scale without being priced out by institutional developers.

You don’t need $10 million. You need the right lot, a great design, and the right team.

Final Word: Scarborough North Is the Future of Infill Housing

Toronto can’t build its way out of the housing crisis at this current rate. 

The real solution is in our postwar neighborhoods—places like Scarborough North—where lots are big, zoning is unlocked, and demand is real.

If you’re a small developer, builder, or investor, this is the frontier. Not 2040. Now.

We’re ready to build here, solving the housing gap—one 6-plex at a time.

Let’s build, baby, build.