High-end amenities worthy of a wedding
By Sydnia Yu - Globe and Mail
It’s not uncommon for people to throw a wedding at home, and it’s still the case, even if home is situated in a condominium tower.
During the opening of the second 16-storey tower at Circa, a resident living in the first building hosted their wedding reception in the party room of the central 23,000-square-foot recreation centre.
“That tells you the level of finish and the class and atmosphere that’s there,” says Scott McLellan, vice-president of sales and marketing operations at Tridel, which teamed up with Dorsay Development for the project in Markham Town Centre. “We just wanted it to be a five-star amenities package.”
In addition to the party room, which has a bar, kitchen, dining area and access to the terrace, there is a pool, whirlpool, gym and games lounges. Plus, there is a grand two-storey lobby and guest suites.
The private theatre, boardroom and virtual reality golf centre will be opened after the second tower is finished in 2009.
Otherwise, 90% of the joint amenities area is complete, which has pushed sales forward for Circa 2, Mr. McLellan says. About 40% of 390 units have sold since last month’s launch.
Many buyers typically fall into two categories: locals downsizing and people who commute to Markham for work. “There are a number of corporate head offices that are in York Region, particularly in the Markham area,” he says.
The site is also minutes to historic Main Street, shopping centres and entertainment.
Highways 404 and 407, GO Transit and Viva service routes are easily accessible.
Circa is also notable as the first residential building in Canada to be awarded for its partnership with an energy-efficient energy supplier in order to create an emissions-free heating and cooling system. “There is, without question, a demand in the marketplace right now for buildings to be healthier,” Mr. McLellan says.
“It is certainly where we’re going in society.”
Using high-efficiency equipment and clean fuels, hot and cooled water will be produced and sent to Circa via underground pipes by Markham District Energy. Other green features will include Energy Star-certified kitchen and laundry appliances in each unit.
There are one- to three-bedroom designs, many with dens, ranging from 630 to 1,696 square feet. Penthouse units will measure between 1,608 and 2,936 square feet.
“We did try to design a few more bigger suites” than the first tower, Mr. McLellan adds.
There will be split-bedroom designs — where open-concept principal rooms separate the bedrooms –balconies and semi-en suites to the master bedroom.
Some plans will include large windows following the building’s contours.
Suites will include granite counter tops and laminate flooring and come with a parking spot.
The penthouse collection will have upgraded finishes and features, such as skylights, coffered 10-foot ceilings or wraparound balconies, plus two parking spaces and a locker.
The monthly maintenance fee is about 37 cents a square foot.
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