Villeray immobilier : All about the neighborhood
Reading time: 5 minutes
Key facts:
- Villeray posts market growth of 25% with rising sales.
- The neighborhood offers a variety of properties, from single-family homes to plexes, attractive to investors.
- With its green spaces and cultural venues, Villeray promises a remarkable quality of life.
- The neighborhood’s ongoing revitalization and ecological transformation are increasing its real estate appeal.
- The district benefits from excellent accessibility thanks to its well-developed transport network.
Villeray, a thriving neighborhood in the heart of Montreal, is renowned for its community vitality and harmonious blend of green spaces and urban design. This charming neighborhood attracts a diverse population thanks to its rich cultural offering, inviting parks and lively shopping avenues.
Rooted in a rich historical past and looking to a promising future, Villeray has become one of the metropolis’s most coveted areas for its exceptional quality of life and dynamic real estate market.
Between quiet tree-lined streets and lively arteries that beat to the city’s rhythm, Villeray offers an ideal living environment for those seeking to combine the charm of neighborhood life with the advantages of a big city.
The district’s accessibility, reinforced by excellent public transport services, its proximity to renowned educational institutions and a diversified local offer, makes it a popular place to live for families, young professionals and creative types.
Villeray is a true cultural and social crossroads, where history meets modernity to create a vibrant and safe urban environment. Let’s take a closer look at the neighborhood’s features and virtues.
- Discover the Villeray district
- Live in Villeray
- Real estate in Villeray
- Top adress in Villeray
Discover the Villeray district
Nestled in the heart of Montreal, the Villeray neighborhood is a veritable mosaic of cultures and generations.
Known for its friendliness and dynamism, this urban enclave attracts a diverse population, from young families to creative professionals, thanks to its lively, warm atmosphere.
Villeray seduces with its perfect balance between tradition and modernity, offering a quality of urban life enriched by an active community life, abundant green spaces and lively shopping avenues.
History of the Villeray district
The Villeray district is deeply rooted in Montreal’s industrial history.
Villeray’s transformation into a vibrant Montreal neighborhood is intrinsically linked to the industrial revolution and the prosperity of the city of Montreal from the late 19th century to the First World War.
Initially, Villeray served as a place of residence for workers from the many nearby limestone quarries, which spurred its development at the turn of the 20th century.
The name “Villeray” itself comes from one of these former quarries, the Villeray Quarry Company. Over time, the arrival of the tramway and rail infrastructure facilitated access to the neighborhood and accelerated its development, transforming it into a thriving residential area.
These infrastructures made the neighborhood more accessible, attracting families from the south of the city as well as stonemasons working in local quarries, notably the Villeray Quarry Co. Ltd, which is now Villeray Park.
At the dawn of the 20th century, Villeray’s development was catalyzed by the installation of streetcar repair shops and the construction of the Institut des sourds-muets by the Clercs de Saint-Viateur.
The economic and demographic boom that followed the First World War saw the neighborhood rapidly populate, becoming an example of a model working-class neighborhood in Montreal.
The creation of Jarry Park in 1925, now an emblematic area of the neighborhood, marked this period of prosperity. Today, Villeray enjoys a strong reputation in the metropolis and is one of the city’s most sought-after neighborhoods.
The Villeray tramway, early 20th century:
Villeray in 2024
Over the decades, Villeray has evolved into a neighborhood that is resolutely forward-looking, while preserving the traces of its past, such as the transformation of the former marshalling yard into Parc Jarry. To find out more about the history of Villeray, visit the dedicated page on Est Media or the City of Montreal website.
Geography of the Villeray district
Located in north-central Montreal, Villeray is part of the Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension borough, Montreal’s second most populous.
Bordered by Saint-Michel to the east, Parc-Extension to the west, Ahuntsic to the north and La Petite-Patrie and Rosemont to the south, Villeray occupies a strategically central position in the metropolis.
The district is bounded by major road and rail infrastructures: the Métropolitaine expressway to the north, the CP rail line to the west, De Lorimier to the east, and Jean-Talon to the south.
These demarcations facilitate access to the neighborhood while clearly defining its geographical extent. Villeray is crisscrossed by major north-south traffic arteries such as boulevard Saint-Laurent, rue Saint-Denis and avenue Christophe-Colomb, making the neighborhood easily accessible and well connected to the rest of the city.
Villeray is predominantly residential, with a large number of pre-1946 apartment buildings, concentrated mainly around rue Saint-Denis. As well, the heritage residential sector of the old village core, between Lajeunesse and Saint-Hubert streets, underscores the district’s historical importance. Villeray is also a major commercial hub, with shops concentrated along Saint-Laurent and Saint-Hubert boulevards and Jean-Talon and Jarry streets.
Today, Villeray continues to grow while overcoming socio-economic challenges, asserting its place as a vibrant and diverse central district of Montreal.
Map of Villeray in the 20th century
Map of Villeray in 2024
Live in Villeray
Nestled in an urban setting where the agrarian past blends with a dynamic modernity, Villeray stands out as a charming, up-and-coming residential neighborhood.
Surrounded by such vibrant neighborhoods as Parc-Extension and Little Italy, Villeray offers an urban lifestyle enriched by a strong, diverse community framework.
Tree-lined streets, green spaces and shopping avenues create an ideal environment for families, young professionals and creative types.
Advantages of living in Villeray
Villeray’s many assets make for an exceptional quality of life for its residents.
Here are some key advantages of living in this vibrant neighborhood:
- Vibrant, multicultural community: Villeray’s community atmosphere is enhanced by a cultural mix from neighboring Parc-Extension and Little Italy.
- Easy access to green spaces: Parc Jarry, in the heart of the neighborhood, offers ample space for sports, picnics and concerts.
- Culinary diversity: A varied gastronomic scene offers flavors from all over the world, making every meal a discovery.
- Thriving commercial activity: Commercial streets, such as Saint-Hubert, offer a diverse shopping experience, from vintage boutiques to modern stores.
- Cultural wealth: Theaters, art galleries and cultural centers like TOHU and Théâtre aux écuries enrich local life.
- Excellent connectivity: Several metro and bus lines serve the area, providing easy access to other parts of the city.
- Leisure and recreation options: Villeray is populated with cafés, parks and meeting places that encourage an active social life.
- Charming architecture: The streets are lined with traditional houses with spiral staircases and brick facades, offering a picturesque setting.
These advantages make Villeray an ideal place not only to live, but to thrive.
The neighborhood offers the perfect blend of residential tranquility and urban excitement, supported by a solid infrastructure and welcoming community.
Living in Villeray means choosing an urban lifestyle enriched by a strong neighborhood identity.
Quality of life and activities in Villeray
Villeray is a lively neighborhood, rich in iconic sites and green spaces that play a central role in the daily lives of its residents.
Here are just a few of the highlights that make this dynamic district so famous.
Jean-Talon market
Close to Villeray, the Jean-Talon market is one of the largest public markets in North America. It’s renowned for its fresh produce stalls, specialty grocers and varied food kiosks. It’s an essential meeting point for residents and a place for gastronomic discoveries.
Rue Jarry
Rue Jarry is a major commercial artery that crosses Villeray from east to west. It is lined with numerous shops, cafés and restaurants, reflecting the cultural diversity of the area. The street is also known for its liveliness, especially during the summer months when many festivals and street events take place.
De Castelnau place
This pedestrian space has become a center for public art and socializing. Place de Castelnau often hosts community events, temporary art installations, and seasonal markets, making it a dynamic place and a focal point of neighborhood activity.
Green streets
Villeray is renowned for its many green alleyways, transformed by residents into community gardens and small havens of peace. These alleyways are not only ecological corridors, but also social and play areas for local children.
TOHU
Located just outside Villeray in Frédéric-Back Park, TOHU is a center for circus arts and a major player in Montreal’s social economy and environment. It offers a rich program of shows, cultural events and educational activities.
These Villeray landmarks not only enrich the daily lives of their residents, but also contribute to making the neighborhood a meeting place for cultural exchange. They perfectly illustrate the fusion of history, culture and modernity that characterizes Villeray.
Green spaces and leisure in Villeray
Villeray is distinguished not only by its urban dynamism, but also by its many green spaces, offering residents and visitors alike numerous opportunities to relax and enjoy nature in the heart of the city.
Here’s an overview of the main green spaces that contribute to the quality of life in this thriving neighborhood.
Frédéric-Back park
Close to Villeray, Frédéric-Back Park is a remarkable example of environmental rehabilitation and sustainable development. Formerly a landfill site, this park has been transformed into a vast recreational and ecological conservation area. It offers miles of hiking and biking trails, and is equipped for a variety of outdoor activities. The park is also a place for environmental education, where visitors can learn about biodiversity and ecological restoration efforts.
Park Jarry
Parc Jarry, located in the heart of Villeray, is one of Montreal’s most popular green spaces. Covering a vast area, this urban park is equipped for a variety of sports and leisure activities, including tennis courts, baseball diamonds and children’s playgrounds. It’s also a popular spot for picnics with family and friends. Jarry Park is also the scene of numerous cultural and sporting events, including the National Bank Open, an international tennis tournament that attracts spectators from all over the world.
Park Nicolas-Tillemont
Smaller but just as important for local residents, Nicolas-Tillemont Park features playgrounds, sports areas and picnic tables. It serves as a community gathering place, especially during the warmer months.
Little-Italy Park
Located on the southern edge of Villeray, near Little Italy, this park is a popular place for families and young professionals to relax. It is often enlivened by community events and seasonal markets, offering a friendly green space in the middle of commercial areas.
Park Villeray
The park, which bears the neighborhood’s name, offers play facilities for children, picnic areas and space for a variety of sporting activities. It’s a popular meeting place for families living in the neighborhood.
These green spaces are not only places to relax, but also play a crucial role in improving the urban environment and air quality, while providing spaces for sports activities and the well-being of residents.
Their presence reinforces the family-friendly character of Villeray, making the neighborhood a particularly attractive place to live for those seeking to combine an active urban lifestyle with proximity to nature.
Real estate in Villeray
Real estate in Villeray is booming, attracting more and more buyers and investors thanks to its attractive living environment and many services.
Here’s an overview of the real estate market in this dynamic Montreal neighborhood.
Real estate market in Villeray
Villeray is characterized by a very active real estate market, where demand for various types of property remains high throughout the year. Recent data show a significant increase in sales, testifying to the growing attractiveness of the area.
For example,in the first quarter of 2024, Villeray recorded a 25% increase in sales over the previous year, with transaction volume reaching $110,990 thousand, marking a 32% increase.
Here are some key statistics to help you understand the Villleray real estate market:
- Sales of 174 units in Q1 2024, up +25% on 2023.
- Sales volume of $110,990 thousand (+32% versus 2023).
- The market shows relatively limited inventory, which is 4% lower than in 2023.
- New listings rose by 18% to 311 units, indicating a growing market.
These data are in line with the overall real estate market, both in Canada and in Montreal. Our analysis points to market growth between now and the end of 2024, which should see prices and the number of transactions rise.
Discover our latest market analyses:
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Villeray real estate: Prices and properties
Centris‘ detailed statistics by property category reveal some interesting trends in Villeray in 2024:
- Sales of single-family homes were relatively stable, with the median price remaining unchanged over the past 12 months (note that the median price has risen by +49% over the past 5 years).
- The condominium market was more active, with 89 sales, up 35%, and a median price of $439,000, representing an increase of 9%.
- Plexes (2 to 5 units) saw their sales increase by 34%, with a median price slightly down at $729,000 (-1%) in the first quarter of 2024.
These figures show a preference for condominiums and plexes, with significant growth in sales and relatively stable median prices.
Discover our page dedicated to the Villeray district on our website:
Depending on the type of owner, the market is dominated by sellers for certain types of property.
Centris chart of market conditions in Villeray, 2024
- For single-family homes, the graph shows a trend towards a more balanced, even slightly buyer-oriented market in recent months. This means that buyers could benefit from a wider selection of properties and more favorable negotiating conditions.
- The situation is very different for condominiums. The market is clearly showing advantageous conditions for sellers, with inventory selling fast and demand outstripping supply. This dynamism reflects the growing interest in a convenient, urban lifestyle, where condominiums represent a popular option for a wide range of buyers, from professionals to young families.
- Plexes, with two to five units, also show a favorable market for sellers, with few months of available inventory. This underscores the strong demand for these types of properties, often sought after for their rental income potential and investment appeal.
Analysis of these conditions shows that Villeray is a booming neighborhood in the Montreal real estate market. Investors, current owners and future buyers need to be well-informed and strategic in their decisions to successfully navigate this diverse market.
Whether for initial purchase or investment, Villeray offers distinct opportunities that require a keen understanding of current trends to optimize real estate transactions.
Why invest in Villeray?
Investing in real estate in Villeray is proving to be a wise decision for many investors, given the vitality and growth potential of the neighborhood.
Here’s why it’s worth considering Villeray as an investment choice:
Recent statistics show that Villeray enjoys a particularly dynamic real estate market. With a 25% increase in sales and a significant rise in transaction volume, investing in Villeray means entering a booming market.
Villeray boasts a diversified real estate offering, with a wide choice of single-family homes, condominiums and plexes. This diversity gives investors the opportunity to diversify their portfolios and choose properties that match different tenant or buyer profiles.
The presence of numerous services, shops, green spaces and public transport options makes the neighborhood attractive to a broad public, guaranteeing sustained rental demand.
The upward trend in prices, particularly in the condominium and plex segments, suggests that real estate investments in Villeray have the potential to appreciate in value over time, ensuring long-term capital gains.
Villeray is benefiting from ongoing revitalization, with new residential and commercial developments adding to its appeal. Infrastructure projects and ecological initiatives such as the rehabilitation of Frédéric-Back Park play an important role in improving quality of life and increasing property values.
With its many metro stations and major roads, Villeray is very accessible, making it easy to get to downtown and other neighborhoods. This connectivity is a major asset for residents and a strong point for investors.
Investing in Villeray means betting on a neighborhood that skilfully combines growth and sustainable development, while offering a rich and diverse neighborhood life. Savvy investors will recognize Villeray as a unique opportunity to establish themselves in one of Montreal’s most promising real estate markets.
Discover our exclusive guides for navigating the real estate market:
The best addresses in Villeray
A neighborhood this rich is inevitably full of must-see addresses, so here’s our small selection to help you discover the area:
| Venue | Category |
|---|---|
| Tapéo | Mediterranean cuisine |
| Le petit Alep | Mediterranean cuisine |
| Pascal le boucher | Traditional butcher’s shop |
| Épicerie la flêche | Fresh products |
| Boulangerie Jarry | Exceptional pastries and viennoiseries |
| Café Vito | Uniques coffee |
| Imperio | Portuguese rotisserie |
| L’oeufrier | Ideal for brunch |
| TOHU | Art Galery |
Conclusion
Villeray has established itself as one of Montreal’s leading areas for housing and real estate investment.
Its vibrant community, cultural diversity and green spaces make this neighborhood a great place to live for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a family home, a rental investment or simply to enjoy the excitement of Montreal, Villeray has what you’re looking for.
It’s the perfect time to explore the opportunities offered by this growing neighborhood, where history, culture and modernity meet to offer a unique and enriching residential experience. To make a success of your real estate projects in Villeray or other areas of the city, contact our team of Montreal real estate brokers.
Valérie Lacasse
Valérie has been a real estate broker for over 10 years. Passionate about the industry and Montreal, she is one of Montreal’s most influential brokers, guaranteeing expertise and comprehensive support for her customers.
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