In his relatively short but already iconic stint as a Toronto Raptors superstar, basketball royalty Kawhi Leonard has been a game changer for the city of Toronto. To show appreciation and tempt him to re-sign long-term with Toronto’s (and Canada’s) beloved basketball team, Kawhi has been offered everything from a free penthouse at Toronto’s The Ritz-Carlton Residences, to the Ka’Wine & Dine campaign dishing out free food for life at dozens of bars and restaurants – should he choose to stay.
But the rumour mill has been rumbling with reports that Kawhi Leonard has already bought a home here in The Six. Kawhi negated the claim – sort of. According to this recent article published by NYPost.com, “Leonard gave an interesting response in denying he had purchased any Canadian property,” the news outlet reported. “‘No, I didn’t,’ Leonard said after Sunday’s practice. ‘It didn’t happen yet, no.'”
Wait. YET? Did he? Didn’t he? Maybe he’s just on the fence about whether it’s the perfect house for him.
Toronto has plenty to offer by way of liveability, according to the recent RE/MAX Liveability Report, and real estate. That explains why so many people are drawn to the city. In fact, a new study released by Ryerson University’s Centre for Urban Research and Land Development reveals that Toronto has the fastest-growing population in all of North America. Between July 2017 and July 2018, Toronto welcomed a whopping 77,435 new residents. The second-fastest growing city was Phoenix, Arizona, with 25,288 new residents in that year-long period.
The big question now (aside from whether The Raptors take it in Game 6) is will Kawhi Leonard join the masses who are choosing to make Toronto their forever home? According to Blogto.com, “Competing theories posit that the Los Angeles native will either go to the Clippers, stay in Toronto, or choose a new city entirely. He did, after all, just purchase a massive new $13.3 million mansion in San Diego (gulp).” But Toronto is a world-class city that competes – and wins – on the world stage.
“It’s about the culmination of the progress Toronto has made over the last 10 to 15 years as a global destination,” says Christopher Alexander, Executive Vice President and Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. “Hosting a world-class team like The Raptors is the icing on the cake.
“Toronto is a hotbed of development in condos, commerce and finance, and over this 15-year period, it’s risen the ranks to become the fourth-largest city in North America, North America’s third-largest tech sector, and second-largest financial centre (source). We’re home to top restaurants and a budding National Basketball Association franchise on the verge of winning its first title.
“This all solidifies Toronto as an incredible place to call ‘home.’ Cities like this that are in high demand also have some of the most valuable real estate the world.”
A home is a huge investment, on any scale. But when we’re talking about the likes of Kawhi Leonard, who’s standards are high and budget is probably up there too, the decision to buy is that much tougher.
To help take some of the stress out of finding the right home (after all, Kawhi and The Raptors have enough on their minds right now) RE/MAX has cherry-picked some sweet RE/MAX Collection listings that might make the cut.
You do your thing, Kawhi, and take Toronto to the finish line. In the meantime, kick back, rest up, check out these luxury listings – and start packing.
