130–142 Widdicombe Hill Blvd: 2016 Fernbrook Townhomes With Low Fees

130–142 Widdicombe Hill Boulevard is what I suggest to buyers who want ground-oriented living in central Etobicoke without paying freehold prices, and who would rather not hand over $1 a square foot every month. It is ten years old, the fees are low, and the subway-grade transit on Eglinton is finally being built. I’m Jatin Dua, RE/MAX Quantum Realty.

A 2016 Fernbrook and Cityzen townhome community

This is a modern townhome development rather than an older complex. UrbanToronto credits the Widdicombe & Eglinton project to Cityzen Development Group and Fernbrook Homes, with design by TACT Architecture, and describes a contemporary look of glass and stone with large windows and balconies. Condos.ca lists Fernbrook Homes as the builder.

The two sources also differ on height. Condos.ca shows two floors, while UrbanToronto lists three storeys. That usually reflects how stacked townhomes are counted, with one suite above another, so confirm the exact layout and number of levels of the suite you are viewing.

There is also a sibling condominium with the same Widdicombe Eglinton name on Pony Farm Drive and Eglinton Avenue West. It is a separate corporation with its own budget, so check that any comparable sale you are shown is from 130–142 Widdicombe Hill Boulevard and not from the neighbouring phase.

Layouts: from compact suites to family-size plans

The size range is wide, from about 632 square feet at the small end to roughly 1,528 square feet for the largest plans. That covers first-time buyers who want a compact one- or two-bedroom with its own front door through to families who need space across more than one level.

All three suites for sale when I checked were two-bedroom plans between 800 and 999 square feet. That is the core of the building and the size most buyers will compare.

Stacked and back-to-back townhomes come with trade-offs you should see in person. Upper suites usually mean more stairs and a rooftop or upper terrace, while lower suites can have less light and closer neighbours on more sides. Walk the stairs, check where the furnace and laundry sit, and look at how much storage the plan really has. Ask too which parts of the suite are yours to maintain, such as the furnace, water heater or terrace surface, and which belong to the corporation.

What a townhome condominium asks of you

Buyers moving from a high-rise are often surprised by how different a townhome corporation feels. There is no front desk and no superintendent on site, so issues go to the property manager, and neighbours tend to know each other. The board is drawn from a smaller pool of owners, and good governance depends on a few people volunteering their time.

The big shared costs are also different. Instead of elevators and a mechanical penthouse, the expensive items are roofs, rooftop terraces, exterior cladding, windows and the waterproofing over the underground garage. Those tend to come due together, so a corporation that is ten years old should already be setting money aside in a steady, predictable way.

Rules matter more than people expect. Townhome corporations often regulate barbecues, terrace furniture, planters, satellite dishes and front-door changes, because they all touch the common elements. Read the declaration and rules before you buy if you plan to change anything outside your walls.

Eglinton West: a corridor in transition

The location is the long-term story. Metrolinx is building the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, a 9.2-kilometre, mainly underground line from Mount Dennis to Renforth Drive, with up to seven stations along that stretch. Its timeline lists tunnelling on the second contract finishing in 2026, with station work under way.

Construction along Eglinton means detours and noise for a few more years. Once the line opens, central Etobicoke gets rapid transit to Mount Dennis and the rest of the Crosstown, which I expect to support demand for well-built townhomes along this stretch. The panel on this page shows today’s transit options.

Day to day, this is a quiet residential pocket of central Etobicoke, close to Highway 427 and the airport corridor for anyone who drives to work. It suits buyers who want a newer home with a suburban feel and better transit on the way.

Pricing and fees

Condos.ca puts the building’s average at about $668 per square foot. Three suites were for sale when I checked, asking from $684,900 to $699,900.

The fee is the standout. Current listings show about $409 a month, roughly $0.43 per square foot. That is low compared with most Toronto high-rises, and it is typical of townhome condominiums where there are no elevators, no concierge and no large amenity floor to fund.

Low fees are a strength only if the reserve fund is keeping pace. Ask what the fee covers. In many townhome corporations you pay your own hydro, heat and water through individual meters, so add those costs to the fee when you compare with a high-rise. The panel shows recent sold prices and the price trend for this corporation.

Townhome condos in central Etobicoke also compete with older freehold houses nearby. For many buyers the real comparison is this building against a dated semi that needs work, and the newer construction, lower maintenance and modest fee here often win that contest.

Building specifications

Amenities at Widdicombe & Eglinton Townhomes

There is no gym, pool or party room here, and that is the reason the fee is low. You are paying for landscaping, the garage, snow clearing and the building envelope, not for shared facilities you may never use. Visitor parking is a genuine plus in a townhome community, where guests otherwise end up circling side streets. If you want a gym or a pool, budget for a membership nearby rather than expecting it on site.

Jatin’s honest take on Widdicombe & Eglinton Townhomes

Widdicombe & Eglinton Townhomes — frequently asked questions

Looking at Downsview, Weston, York University Heights, Rexdale and northwest Toronto more broadly? Start with my Toronto community guide — the neighbourhoods, what each pocket is like, and how they compare.