Kenneth & Holmes, 50 Holmes Ave: 29 Fieldgate Towns Off Yonge

Kenneth & Holmes is for buyers who want the convenience of Yonge Street in North York but cannot face another tower. It is 29 condominium townhomes on a residential street east of Yonge, built by Fieldgate Urban and finished in 2019. Small complexes like this can be excellent places to live, and they need more careful homework than a big building. I’m Jatin Dua, RE/MAX Quantum Realty.

Twenty-nine towns on a side street

Kenneth & Holmes is two three-storey townhouse blocks with 29 homes in total, on Holmes Avenue near Kenneth Avenue. During planning and construction the project was known by the address 40 to 42 Holmes Avenue; it was registered as 50 and 52 Holmes. Fieldgate Urban, the urban arm of Fieldgate Homes, developed it, and KIRKOR Architects and Planners designed it.

Note that this is not in midtown. Holmes Avenue is in Willowdale, in the old City of North York, a few minutes’ walk east of Yonge between Finch and Sheppard. The streets east of Yonge here are a mix of older houses, newer custom homes and low-rise infill like this, sitting just behind the towers that line Yonge itself.

Fieldgate marketed the project as contemporary urban towns in a quiet enclave close to Yonge and Finch. That is a fair description of the format: you get a front door on a residential street and townhouse living, with the Yonge corridor’s shops and services a short walk away.

Layouts and what condominium townhouse ownership means

Condos.ca records suites of about 781 to 1,479 square feet. At the small end that suggests stacked or single-level plans, and at the large end multi-level homes closer to a small house. Ask exactly which type you are looking at: how many levels, whether the entrance is private, and whether there is a private terrace or yard.

These are condominium townhouses, not freehold. You own your unit, and the corporation owns and maintains the common elements, which here include the underground garage, the bike storage, the shared outdoor patio and gazebo, and the rooftop deck. The declaration sets out exactly which parts are yours to maintain and which belong to the corporation, and that line is often different from what buyers expect.

Condos.ca lists the building with one floor, which does not match the three-storey blocks described by UrbanToronto. Treat that as a data quirk, and confirm the floor plan and levels of any unit from the listing and the builder’s plans.

Why a 29-unit corporation needs extra homework

The biggest difference between a 29-home complex and a 500-suite tower is how costs are shared. Every repair, insurance increase or legal bill is divided among 29 owners rather than hundreds. A roof replacement, a garage membrane repair or a jump in insurance premiums can hit each owner harder, so the reserve fund matters even more than usual.

Small corporations also depend heavily on a few volunteer directors. Look at the board minutes to see whether the board meets regularly, whether the property manager responds to issues, and whether any disputes or major repairs are coming up. The status certificate will tell you whether the fee is in arrears or under review.

The good side is that small buildings can be very well run, with owners who know each other and look after the place. You only find out which kind you are buying by reading the documents.

Daily life east of Yonge in Willowdale

The appeal of this location is the contrast. Yonge Street between Finch and Sheppard is a corridor of towers, offices, shops and restaurants, and Holmes Avenue is a quieter street just behind it. You can walk to Yonge for errands and dinner and come home to a street of houses rather than a tower lobby.

This part of Willowdale is still changing. Infill projects keep appearing on the side streets east of Yonge, other condominiums such as Mona Lisa Residences already share Holmes Avenue, and the towers on Yonge keep growing. Expect some construction around you over the years, and check the City’s Application Information Centre for anything proposed on your block. The data panel on this page covers transit, schools and walkability.

For a downsizer from a nearby house, that combination is often the deciding factor: you stay in the neighbourhood you know, you keep a front door, and you give up the lawn and the snow shovel.

What Kenneth & Holmes costs

Condos.ca puts the building average at about $1,062 per square foot. That is high compared with the towers on Yonge nearby, and it is typical of new condominium towns: buyers pay a premium for ground-level living, more privacy and the feel of a house, and the small number of units keeps supply low.

There was only one unit listed for sale when I checked, so I will not quote an asking price; with 29 homes, listings come up rarely and every sale moves the average. The fee covers common elements, building insurance and water, so heat, cooling and hydro are on you, as you would expect for a townhouse.

Because comparables are so thin, it is worth looking at closed sales here and at similar condo towns nearby before making an offer. Use the sold data on this page or ask me for a building sold report.

When you compare, compare like with like. Price per square foot for a three-level town with a private terrace and a two-level stacked unit are not the same thing, and the average for a 29-home complex can be pulled around by one or two sales of the largest units.

Building specifications

Amenities at Kenneth & Holmes

There is no gym or concierge, which is normal for a townhouse complex. The shared rooftop deck, patio and gazebo give you outdoor space beyond your own unit, and the underground garage keeps cars off the street.

Jatin’s honest take on Kenneth & Holmes

Kenneth & Holmes — frequently asked questions

Looking at Yonge & Eglinton, Davisville and North Toronto more broadly? Start with my Toronto community guide — the neighbourhoods, what each pocket is like, and how they compare.