According to MPAC (the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation), some of the smallest average condo units by square footage are being built in Gravenhurst, while some of the largest are being built in Huntsville.
A mix of large cities and smaller towns continues a trend of building smaller condos, which could be due to affordability and entry into home ownership, according to MPAC. Some municipalities are defying this trend and are opting to build larger mid/high-rise condo units. These are primarily in smaller markets outside of the GTA.
The data pertains to new condominium apartment units constructed between 2020 and 2024, where at least 50 units have been built during the period.
Cities and towns with the smallest median square footage for new condos include:
Nonetheless, you don’t have to drive far to find some of the largest condos in the province (by square footage) in Huntsville.
Some other interesting information from MPAC’s latest report indicate condos are now surpassing single-detached houses across Ontario. Condos now represent 41% of new builds, indicating a growing demand for higher-density living.
The median size of single-detached houses has expanded from 1,317 sq ft in the 1970s to 2,383 sq ft today. Meanwhile, modern condos have shrunk by 32%, from 965 sq ft in the 1970s to just 658 sq ft today.
“While new single-detached houses still make up a significant portion of new builds across Ontario,” says Greg Martino, Vice President and Chief Valuation and Standards Officer at MPAC. “Construction of this residential form has declined, especially in urban areas like the GTA…This shift reflects evolving market dynamics, affordability challenges and the rise of higher-density urban centers.”
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