Affordable Townhome Project Launches in Guelph
A new residential development in Guelph is specifically targeting young families and first-time buyers with move-in ready townhomes priced from the low $500,000s. The Marquis Modern Towns project, developed by Equiton Developments, offers what company vice-president of sales and marketing Kimberley Crescini describes as "attainable housing" in a market where affordability has become a significant barrier to home ownership.
Project Details and Features
Marquis consists of four blocks of two-bedroom, two-bathroom urban towns ranging from approximately 900 to 1,000 square feet. The development features three distinct layout styles: ground-floor, terrace-level, and two-storey units, all equipped with either balconies or sunken terraces.
The interiors include several premium features:
- Open-concept living areas
- Quartz countertops
- Ensuite laundry facilities
- Optional kitchen islands with breakfast bars
Unlike many pre-construction projects, Marquis is move-in ready, allowing potential buyers to tour completed model homes and specific units before making purchasing decisions. "People are cautious about committing to projects that may take years to deliver," Crescini noted, emphasizing the advantage of being able to physically inspect the homes.
Location and Market Appeal
The development enjoys a prime location beside Woodlawn Memorial Park and across from Riverside Park, Guelph's largest urban green space spanning 32 hectares. This park-side setting, combined with the low-rise building format, was designed to complement the established residential neighborhood.
Crescini estimates that approximately 70% of Marquis purchasers are end users, primarily young families and first-time buyers, while the remaining 30% are investors. The University of Guelph, with over 30,000 students but only about 5,000 on-campus beds, creates strong rental demand. Average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Guelph currently sits around $2,600, representing 7% year-over-year growth.
Shared amenities at Marquis include a landscaped courtyard, children's play area, barbecue space, and secure bicycle storage, further enhancing the development's family-friendly appeal.
Guelph continues to rank among Ontario's top five municipalities for livability, with its growing population, proximity to Toronto, Hamilton, and Kitchener-Waterloo, and emerging sectors like agri-tech, cleantech, and biotechnology driving economic confidence among both buyers and renters.
