Opens in a new tab
call mike

Downtown Guelph

Located right at the heart of Guelph, the downtown core has retained its historical charm while undergoing a huge transformation. Once you visit, you will fall in love with Downtown Guelph.

Find out everything you need to know about Downtown Guelph below including Downtown Guelph real estate, schools and amenities.

find homes in Downtown Guelph
Old Quebec Street Mall in Downtown Guelph

everything explained

everything you need to know about LIving in Guelph

Downtown Guelph overview

Downtown Guelph is located at the core of the city just north of Exhibition Park, west of The Junction (part of Onward Willow), east of St George’s and The Ward and just north of Old University across the Speed River.

Having attended the University of Guelph and living in the city for many years, I’ve seen the transformation of the downtown core over the years. Without it a doubt, it remains one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in the city.

Downtown Guelph is packed with history, wonderful architecture, incredible restaurants, cafes, shops and there are tons of entertainment options. Living here allows the best of both worlds; join friends for a pint at a local pub, but easily retreat or find peace and quiet just outside the bustling core.

Unlike many towns and their downtown “cores”, Downtown Guelph is also super walkable and is very well-connected for public transportation.

Downtown Guelph real estate

home styles in Downtown Guelph

Downtown Guelph real estate has a mix of homes and affordability ranging from large 19th century historical properties to newly-built condos in the downtown core.

Looking for a new detached home? Unfortunately, this isn’t the right part of town for you. Looking for a Victorian-era, 2-storey detached home or 50-100+ year-old bungalow? Downtown Guelph is more up your alley.

Many homeowners are taking on these older homes and renovating them, but many are just continuing to live the simple, Downtown Guelph life. Either way, the homes and area are beautiful and come with a lifestyle to match.

rendering of baker district - a mixed retail and condo building in downtown guelph
Baker District Project courtesy of DTAH

While the city and its residents continue to preserve the old world charm of downtown and the surrounding area, modernization of the core has been well underway for some time.

What began in 2012 with the Downtown Secondary Plan continues to this day through the Downtown Renewal Program. This is Guelph’s plan to modernize and sustainably move forward with the downtown core.

A few new condos have already been built (The Metalworks, OneEighty, River Mill and River House to name a few) and projects like the Baker District Project that broke ground in 2023 (see above) are marking a new era for Downtown Guelph. This was planned as a mixed-retail and condo building and is the site of the new Central Library. It will certainly be a huge fixture of the downtown core for a long time to come.

Downtown Guelph homes for sale

To get real-time listings, use the links below for your desired property type.

*Please note – homes shown below are for descriptive purposes only and do not imply that they are for sale.

get mls listings

Pros & Cons

What are the Pros & Cons of Living in Guelph?

Downtown Guelph median home prices

affordability

Below is the median sales price per home type. The median sales price is the price where half of the listed prices are higher and the other half are lower than it. This better represents affordability than the average sales price.

While these figures are updated as much as possible, it’s best to contact us below for real-time pricing.

Finally, please note that “Condo” includes condo townhomes while “townhome” includes both freehold and common element fee townhomes. If you see a dash (-), then this home type has not seen a sale in at least the last 180 days.

contact for pricing

stop the scroll!

...and catch up on some sleep! Use my expert knowledge of Guelph to get you matched with the right neighbourhood.

Start Here

Downtown Guelph schools

best schools

School information is updated yearly. Use the form below to download a copy of the latest school rankings.

all school rankings

school zone overview

Students that live in Downtown Guelph and attend public school would go to Central PS which is located right in the heart of downtown Guelph. Central Public School, built in 1969, is home to a diverse group of ~250 kids from kindergarten up to the 6th grade. From sports and music to drama, Central PS students get to dip their toes in all sorts of activities.

For Grades 7-8 they would transition to Willow Road PS before graduating and attending high school at Guelph CVI.

Guelph CVI is one of three public high schools in Guelph that covers most of the central and west ends of the city. It is the oldest public high school in Guelph and the third oldest in all of Ontario! For French Immersion, public school students living downtown would attend John McCrae PS.

On the Catholic side, students would attend Sacred Heart for elementary school and Our Lady Lourdes for high school.

For the latest rankings and more info on the best schools in Guelph, you can download the reports below!

public schools

  • elementary

    • Central PS (JK-6)

    • Willow Road (7-8)

    • John McCrae (FI JK-8)

  • high school

    • Guelph CVI

catholic schools

  • elementary

    • Sacred Heart (JK-8)

  • high school

    • Our Lady of Lourdes

find homes in top school zones

Get a customized home search within top school boundaries. One street can make the difference between a good and great school!

search by school zone

looking for the best schools in guelph?

free download

Are quality of schools an important part of your home search? If so, download the Top Schools Report to get the latest rankings for schools in Guelph:

  • Top Public & Catholic Elementary Schools Report
  • Top Public & Catholic High Schools Report
""

things to do in Downtown Guelph

fun in Downtown Guelph

Anything missing from our list of the best things to do in Downtown Guelph? Reach out and let us know as we’re always on the lookout for new ideas!

Parks around Downtown Guelph

Downtown Guelph is surrounded by several beautiful parks that offer a ton of outdoor activities and scenic beauty. The most well-known park near downtown Guelph is definitely Exhibition Park.

Exhibition Park

This is the biggest green space near the heart of the city and is filled with walking paths, sports fields including three baseball diamonds (home to the Guelph Royals), tennis courts and an indoor hockey arena.

There are picnic areas and a splash pad along with an amazing natural playground. This is an area that brings the entire city together. See more at the neighbourhood page for Exhibition Park.

Other parks in or near Downtown Guelph include Silvercreek Park which is more laid-back, great for walking your dog or just chilling with nature. Then there’s Royal City Park, which is right by the river, so it’s perfect for picnics or just kicking back by the water.

If you’re looking for something low-key, John Galt Park in the heart of downtown has a nice little gazebo and some quiet spots to relax. Howitt Park is another option if you’re into sports or want a lot of space to play around. Sunny Acres has a community garden and, along with Herb Markle Park, has an awesome outdoor rink the community maintains. Each park has its own vibe, so you’ve got options depending on what you feel like doing.

Make sure though to check out the covered bridge behind the Boathouse Team Room. This bridge was made in 1880(!) and is one of the last covered bridges in Ontario. It crosses right at the intersection of the Speed and Eramosa Rivers in the heart of Guelph. On the other side you will find the York Road Park in The Ward.

the famous covered bridge in downtown guelph crossing over the intersection of the Speed and Eramosa River.

Shopping & Recreation in Downtown Guelph

The best part about living downtown is definitely being able to walk to all the amazing retail stores, restaurants, cafes and pubs in town. Guelph has done an incredible job of building up the downtown core while preserving its charm.

Old Quebec Street Shoppes

I personally love stopping at the Old Quebec Street Shoppes which is a small, covered mall right in the heart of downtown. Grab a bite at Red Papaya!

Old Quebec Street Shoppes in Downtown Guelph
The Old Quebec Streets Shoppes – Photo Credit to Lcall89 – CC By SA4.0

Quick history time…in the 1980s, this area was actually developed into the Eaton Centre, but that shut down in 1999. However, following the closure, the city of Guelph purchased the mall. Part of it was transformed into the Sleeman Centre, which hosts the OHL’s Guelph Storm and a range of other events like concerts and family shows. The rest of the Eaton Centre was renovated and reopened in 2003 as the Old Quebec Street Shoppes & Office Suites!

The Sleeman Centre

Connected to the Old Quebec Street Shoppes, the Sleeman Centre is home to the popular Guelph Storm of the OHL. The Sleeman Centre is also home to events and concerts year round. In the past, there have been events like the Monster Truck Tour, Canadian National Pickleball Championships, high-level cheerleading competitions and it’s held concerts from famous bands like The Arkells.

Guelph Farmers’ Market

Established in 1827(!), the market operates year-round on Saturdays from 8am-1pm and from June to October on Thursdays from 4pm-8pm. This is a fantastic way to start your weekends and shop local!

farmers market in downtown guelph
The Guelph Farmers’ Market is located at the corner of Gordon St and Waterloo Ave. Credit to Melissa Olsthoorn, CC BY 3.0

Other Things to Do in Downtown Guelph

I’ve only just scratched the surface of things to do in downtown Guelph. But, if you’re looking for more to do check out the list below. And if sightseeing isn’t your thing then just hit up all the local bars and pubs to catch live music and enjoy some of the best beer in Ontario.

Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate

This church is stunning and sits right at the top of the downtown core making for some stunning photo ops! It’s not just a religious site but also a key landmark in Guelph. While you’re there, pop next door to the Guelph Civic Museum to check out the city’s history with exhibits that tell the story of Guelph from its early days to now.

River Run Centre

From concerts to plays, this place is the heart of Guelph’s arts scene. Always something happening here. You can find it right across the street from the Sleeman Centre.

The Boathouse Tea Room

Locally owned tea room and ice cream parlour located right near the intersection of the Speed and Eramosa rivers. This is some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had!

Meet Mike, Your Partner for a Stress-Free Experience.

I am Sales Representative at eXp Realty, Brokerage and have been proudly serving my clients in the GTA West specializing in cities like Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton and Guelph since 2012.

If you need to know anything about buying, selling or investing in these cities, then you’ve come to the right place!

book a call
photo of mike santos - realtor at gtawestliving.com

Ask Me About Downtown Guelph

These are the top four things people usually ask about Downtown Guelph!

contact me

  • what's it really like to live in Downtown Guelph?

    Downtown Guelph continues to be an area that all demographics gravitate towards. The area has really seen a resurgence of young families and professionals in the area as many have returned to Guelph to raise children or find more affordable housing.

    There is a solid sense of community downtown, there is a lot to do, schools are great and the area is incredibly convenient and walkable. While many have opted for the suburbs of South End Guelph, this is also a great place to raise a family and experience your pocket of city living.

  • What's the commute like from Downtown Guelph?

    Everything you need is within walking distance including the hub for public transportation. City buses can take you anywhere and frequently (enough) pass through downtown. Most importantly for those that do not work in Guelph is the Central GO station which is on the Kitchener line and very soon will provide all-day, two-way service to Union. The Via Rail and GO Bus are also accessible at Central GO.

    For drivers, it’s pretty easy to get around since you’re central, but like most towns that have seen their population explode, it’s gotten busier. Overall, this is a great spot for those needing to get around the city or outside to other major cities.

  • Why Should I Live in Downtown Guelph?

    If you want to live in an area that is vibrant and has a sense of community, there are few better options than Downtown Guelph. It’s incredibly walkable and convenient with everything at your doorstep from entertainment to shopping to great restaurants, pubs and parks.

    This is definitely one of the best neighbourhoods in the city and it continues to transform in front of our eyes.

  • why should i not live in Downtown Guelph?

    Most people like the conveniences of downtown but are looking for homes that are younger or more affordable. For commuters who drive, they also want to be closer to the highways.

learn more about guelph

Here are a few neighbourhoods you might also want to check out. For all Guelph neighbourhoods, click the button below/to the right!

see all neighbourhoods

Old University

old university guelph real estate - picture of guelph university campus building

South End Guelph

south end guelph real estate - the famous westminster woods clock in the south end of guelph

West End Guelph

view of inside costco in west end guelph

Exhibition Park

view of the trees and tennis courts of exhibition park guelph

Kortright West

kortright west guelph real estate - example of a detached home in kortright west in guelph

St. George’s & The Ward

detached home in st/ george's and the ward guelph
see all neighbourhoods