Toronto Condo and Real Estate Blog

Amenities and designs well suited to younger professionals, first-time buyers

Excerpt from an article by Shelly Sanders Greer - Toronto Star

C Condominiums, aptly named for its flowing “C” shaped facade, make full use of the building’s dimensions, with panoramic city views to the south and west.

Launched by Empire Communities as the second phase of the Continental, C Condos offer an urban lifestyle just north of downtown. This means more affordable prices for a quick commute.

“For great value, this is the place to be,” says Karen Kessel, vice-president of marketing for Empire Communities. “If you compare C Condos to downtown locations, we include parking and a locker, which would cost $20,000 to $25,000 at a downtown condo.

Located just west of Yonge St. on the south side of Finch Ave., C Condominiums are close to transit, the 401, Yonge St. shops and the North York Centre.

C Condos is a 21-storey building with 242 suites ranging in price from $168,900 to $421,400. The condos range in size from 566-square-foot, one-bedroom plans to 1,192-square-foot, three-bedroom layouts.

Both the Continental and C Condos are combined to make the unusual curvilinear design, with Club Continental centred on the ground.Kessel says that these amenities, and the suite designs are aimed at their primary market - first-time buyers who are likely to be young professional couples.

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Some industry observers fear city bylaws undermine unit affordability and the vitality of neighbourhoods

Excerpt from an article by Shelly Sanders Greer - Toronto Star

Once upon a time, an indoor pool was a big attraction for a condominium development. Then cyber lounges became commonplace. Virtual golf was once the next big thing, followed by bowling alleys, basketball courts and car wash bays.

With the City of Toronto requiring two square metres of indoor amenities for every condo suite, the amount of amenity space has automatically increased as buildings have grown larger.

But while featured amenities often attract buyers, there is growing concern from some industry watchers about the facilities within condo buildings encouraging people to stay indoors rather than contribute to the vitality of their communities.

Di Mascio is also concerned about the affordability of condo living, which he says is compromised by larger amenity spaces.

“It’s important to encourage the fact that not all activities need to be privatized inside condos, especially as condo projects get bigger.”

Lyon says Toronto’s downtown is a huge amenity, with people having a “multiplicity” of choice. Theatre, movies, the entertainment district, cultural institutions, shops and restaurants all make it vibrant.

Jeanhy Shim, president and editor of Urbanation, a quarterly publication that tracks the condominium industry, says amenities are important as suites get smaller, and that just 20% of maintenance fees go to fund such facilities.Shim, a condo dweller for the past 10 years, does acknowledge that the city’s formula may be “blind to the sensitivity of each project.

Linda Mitchell, vice-president of marketing for highrise at Monarch Corp., explains that at one time building facilities were not used very much. Now, she says, they are used and are part of a condo dweller’s lifestyle, especially the gyms.

In suburbia, where amenities matter more, Tridel has found that costs can be lowered by building two condos with one shared facility, which helps amortize the costs.

Niall Haggart, vice-president of the Daniels Corp., agrees that amenities have to be thought out properly. He says fitness facilities rank at the top at Daniels projects, as opposed to home theatre rooms and virtual golf. His says the right amenities can provide excellent socialization opportunities for residents. In fact, he puts the onus on condo corporations to step up more to satisfy local needs.

“But everybody has their own interest and I’m a good example.” Oakes says. “I bought my condo because there was a car wash bay and I like washing my car.”

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Review agency’s decision to allow large condo developments in the Queen Triangle will destroy arts community, says mayor as he seeks council backing for appeal bid

Excerpt from an article by Paul Moloney - Toronto Star

Mayor David Miller wants to fight the Ontario Municipal Board over a decision to allow large condominium developments in the Queen West Triangle.

The provincial development review agency okayed condos in the stretch of Queen St. west of Dovercourt Rd. Among the structures to be demolished is 48 Abell Ave., an industrial building converted to artists’ studios and homes.

The Queen West Triangle is a distinctive area featuring galleries, studios, storefronts, Victorian buildings and old industrial space. It is considered ready for growth and the city wants to focus on protecting the “creative industries,” with a modest proposal that included some residential development, mainly in low-rise buildings.

Miller’s motion to pursue all options, seconded by Giambrone, will be voted on by city council at its meeting next week. Giambrone (Ward 18, Davenport) said the arts sector is one of the city’s largest employers.

Giambrone said alternatives had been proposed by Active 18 members who call themselves YIMBYs (Yes, In My Back Yard).

“They wanted to see a mixture of commercial and residential,” he said. “They wanted to make sure the arts community was protected and parks were provided. Unfortunately, the OMB didn’t agree.”

Margie Zeidler, a founder of Active 18, said she was delighted by Miller’s intervention. “I think it is spectacular,” said Zeidler, who has worked to preserve historic buildings.Zeidler said she regrets that the community’s ideas haven’t gone anywhere.

“We know what it’s like when you do these things wrong,” she added. “They did Regent Park wrong 50 years ago, and you have to tear it all up again.”

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