Retail space for lease and sale in York Region

Plaza units, street-front stores, end-caps with parking, and pad sites across the Yonge corridor.

The short version

The unit matters less than where it sits

Retail is the least forgiving commercial category. The same unit size on two ends of the same plaza can perform completely differently, and the rent will reflect it. Exposure, the anchor tenant, and how easy the left turn into the lot is matter more than the finish of the space.

The other thing that catches people is what they are allowed to do. Plaza leases carry exclusivity clauses protecting existing tenants, so the unit you like may legally not be able to run your business. That check happens before the offer, not after.

Do this first

What to check before you sign a retail lease

Six things that decide whether the deal works. Every one of them is cheaper to check now than to discover later.

Permitted use and exclusivity Two separate problems. Zoning says what the city allows; the lease says what the landlord has already promised other tenants. Both have to clear.

Venting and grease Any food use needs a rated exhaust and often a grease trap. Adding one to a unit that was not built for it is expensive and sometimes impossible.

Exposure and the left turn Traffic count means little if cars cannot turn in. Look at the entrance in person at the time of day your customers would come.

Signage and fascia Pylon position, fascia size, and whether you get illumination are all negotiated, and they matter more for retail than any other category.

Hours and the co-tenancy Some plazas require you to stay open set hours. Some leases let you reduce rent if the anchor leaves. Ask for both.

Who pays for the HVAC unit In retail the tenant usually maintains the rooftop unit. Get its age in writing before you inherit a replacement.

Live from the MLS®

Amir’s listings

Every property Amir has on the market, homes first, then commercial. Active only, straight from the board feed.

Know the range

Retail formats in this market

Format	Typical size	What drives the rate
Plaza inline unit	800 to 2,000 sq ft	Anchor tenant, parking, and how far you are from the end.
End-cap	1,500 to 3,500 sq ft	Two exposures and usually a drive-through possibility. Premium rate.
Street-front on Yonge	700 to 2,500 sq ft	Foot traffic and visibility. Parking is usually the weak point.
Pad site	2,000 to 6,000 sq ft	Standalone building, best exposure, longest term expected.
Mixed-use podium	900 to 3,000 sq ft	New condo bases, captive residents above, high TMI.

Where to look

Submarkets for retail

Rates and supply change block to block. These are the pockets worth knowing for this category.

Yonge Street, Richmond HillThe strongest street-front retail stretch in the region.

Yonge and Steeles, ThornhillDense, established, strong Persian and Asian retail presence.

Highway 7 podium retailNew mixed-use bases with residents above.

Major Mackenzie plazasGrocery-anchored centres serving newer subdivisions.

Aurora and Newmarket YongeLower rates, more parking, service retail.

Markham Highway 7 and WardenHigh-density Asian retail, very low vacancy.

Questions people actually ask

Retail FAQ

Can I run a restaurant in any retail unit?

No. You need the zoning, the venting, the grease interceptor, and the landlord's consent, and often a patio approval on top. Restaurant deals take longer than any other retail deal.

What is a reasonable rate for plaza retail here?

It ranges roughly from the low twenties per square foot net in secondary plazas to the fifties on prime Yonge frontage, plus TMI. Position within the plaza moves it more than the city does.

Do I need a personal guarantee?

For a new business, usually yes. The length of it is negotiable and it can often be reduced to two or three years rather than the whole term.

Tell us the requirement

Looking for retail?

Send the size, area, and timing. You get a shortlist back, including space that has not been listed yet.

Other categories

Not quite what you need?

OfficeProfessional suites, medical space, and whole floors along the Yonge and Highway 7 corridors. IndustrialWarehouse, flex, and shop units with truck-level or drive-in shipping across York and Durham. LandDevelopment parcels, serviced lots, and assembly opportunities from Richmond Hill to East Gwillimbury. InvestmentMulti-residential, mixed-use, and net-leased property, valued on income that has actually been verified. Business for saleGoing concerns sold with the real estate, with the lease, or on their own.

Listings are provided under the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) programme of the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate. Listings held by brokerages other than Nave Real Estate, Brokerage Inc. are identified with the name of the listing brokerage. Lease and operating cost figures on this page are general guidance, not an offer, and must be verified for any specific property.