COMMUNITY SNAPSHOT
Taking a look at Hampstead
If you’re in the market for a home in an area close to downtown but still want the peace and tranquillity of suburban living, Hampstead may be the place for you. With more than 7,200 residents spread over 1.8 square kilometres, the town of Hampstead is unique in that its territory is completely residential.
“The town is an oasis in a busy metropolis, with no industry and no commercial establishments,” said Mayor William Steinberg. “We don’t even have highrises, only mid-rise buildings along Côte-St-Luc Rd., so it’s safe for kids to bike and Rollerblade on our quiet streets.”
A true bedroom community, Hampstead is a small, quiet, affluent town located on the island, but independent of the city of Montreal, said Eric Goodman, real-estate broker with Century 21.
“The town is known for its winding streets, parks and its flat topography, and its central location and luxurious properties makes it a very desirable location for upscale homebuyers,” Goodman added.
The town is also rich with mature trees, parks, and green spaces for the entire family to enjoy.
“And all of this is just a 15-minute drive from downtown or a fiveminute walk to the Queen Mary restaurants and shops or to the Monkland Village,” Steinberg said.
In other words, Hampstead residents can enjoy their quiet streets while not missing out on the conveniences of city living.
This type of lifestyle is attractive to people of all ages and backgrounds, but young families have a particular interest in the community’s tranquil setting.
“We have seniors, young families and everything in between, but over the last few years many baby boomers have been leaving for condos or to retire down south,” Steinberg said. “They are being replaced by young families who appreciate all the events and programming that we have for them. Our goal is to provide even more for this demographic.”
As it stands now, Hampstead offers residents a myriad of recreational programs and facilities including organized day camps, an outdoor pool, baseball and soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts, and around the clock security to keep everyone safe.
While all of these features continue to drive young families to move to the community, the face of the real-estate market in Hampstead has begun to evolve.
“Until recently, the town had no townhouses, but that has changed as developers recognize the need for starter homes for young families,” Steinberg said. “The first project of four townhouses went up right beside town hall and it sold out very quickly.”
Now there is a 28-unit townhouse project about to go up beside Langhorne Park.
“Phase 1 has sold out and we expect the next phases to go very quickly as well,” Steinberg said. “Construction is starting this spring with occupancy of Phase 1 before the end of the year.”
In addition to these new projects and a handful of condo buildings and older bungalows, Hampstead is widely known for its large properties and charming architecture. The average price of a single-family home in Hampstead is second only to Westmount.
For example, a two-bedroom condo on Dufferin Rd. is currently listed for $318,000, and a semi-detached home on Queen Mary Rd. is going for $669,000.
If you’re in the market for a large family home, Hampstead has no shortage of options. A renovated 1935 four-bedroom home on Granville St. with a stone facade is going for $1.25 million, and a 1992 fourbedroom property on Fleet St. is available for $1.3 million.
“The real-estate market in Hampstead has become more active, coming off of what was a relatively flat previous two years,” Goodman said. “The market has improved since the beginning of 2017, and we’re even seeing multiple offers on well-priced properties, making the market more competitive.”
Until recently, the town had no townhouses, but that has changed as developers recognize the need for starter homes for young families.
MAYOR WILLIAM STEINBERG