Toronto Real Estate Blog

The neighbourhood is a great place to hang out, with an eclectic mix of old and new, all styles all tastes and all kinds of interesting things going on.

Known for its cool styles and hip fashions, shops boasting chic, contemporary designs and old-world merchants, the Fashion District, spilling over from Queen West, King West, the Theatre District and the Entertainment District, is part of Toronto in flux, just making the change from garment factories to culture factories.

Along Spadina from Queen to Wellington Street and branching side streets are lined with great converted factory spaces, fabric shops, condos, art galleries and independent clothiers that wear the title Fashion District quite smartly. But the Fashion District was established long before the high-healed, designer sunglassed, urban chic moved in.

The funky warehouse lofts are true conversions, original factory spaces that were home to Toronto’s garment industry; furriers, textilers and clothiers of all varieties. Hence the title Fashion District, to honour the decades of garment production that established the neighbourhood, and not named for the coutured trendsetters that are moving in; though residents are keeping the legacy alive, and looking good doing it.

Over the years, the Fashion District has changed, and businessmen, like Herman Miller have seen it happen rapidly. Herman Miller worked in the Fashion District for over 60 years. His shop, Windsor Bridal, was on the northwest corner of Spadina and Richmond for decades. But in 1999, Herman had several reasons for moving his shop out of the neighbourhood, mainly as a response to the evolving direction of the neighbourhood.

In the Fashion District’s heyday, the streets were lined with clothing-related businesses and everyone was in the  industry. Spadina Avenue was, until the past decade, a wide, badly potholed road without a streetcar lane down the middle. Street parking was a wild disarray of angled cars and trucks in the curb lanes. Parking lanes, loading bays and open allies were necessary to keep businesses in motion.

As the garment industry began relocating north of downtown, it became a mass exodus. Not only was it getting harder to move shipping trucks around, but the businesses that were disappearing thinned out the the draw for consumers and shoppers. Spaces were taken over by dot commerce, designers, artists and condominium projects. The downtown core’s real estate became too valuable as office and living space, and too inconvenient to maintain factories.

As the Fashion District continues to convert to shops, cafes, clubs and condos, the area is becoming the place to be – living, working, and playing. Many of the condo owners traded a commute for a walk to work. Living in the heart of the city offers more convenience than just a shorter trip to work; it changes a person’s lifestyle. Just down the street is the SkyDome, so catching a game or heading to a concert doesn’t need to be a planned effort, but becomes a spur of the moment opportunity.

Simply everything is close by – movies, clubs, the gym, a driving range. Friends that live in the suburbs want to stop in every time they make their way down to the city. There’s no need to drive a car because travelling by TTC and cabbing around the city is faster and can works out to be more cost-effective than a car, and its ever-rising insurance, parking and gas costs.

Living in the Fashion District can also add finesse to anyone’s wardrobe. Constantly passing window displays can be quite tempting, and constantly seeing the styles being set, before they come into the shops in the mall can result in a very trendsetting cache.

Herman’s son and business partner bought and moved into the District Lofts since the time the business had moved out of the neighbourhood. He knows the area well. He loves the area. He’s been part of the business and social community for much of his life and has seen the transformation occur.

He describes the Fashion District as tamer version of its former self. The area used to be a lot more edgy, a place where a tattoos, piercings and PVC clothing really used to turn heads. Now it’s so common to see purple haired people that nobody ever does a double take. It is a great place to people watch and everybody can be as individual as they’d like. There really is a lot of self expression going on.

He finds it ironic that despite the multitude of visual expression that goes on in the Fashion District, his condominium still has a rule on its books that requires all window treatments to appear white from the exterior to maintain uniformity and an appropriate looking facade.

Another odd thing he found when he first moved into the Fashion District was that it was badly in need of a grocery store. Transition took a while. A strong commercial presence for so many decades, the transformation to residential lagged until enough commercial space was converted to residential. But with all of the new condos nearing completion and becoming occupied, residential amenities are apace with the needs of a growing residential population.

The 50,000-sq.-ft., 24-hour Dominion is just a streetcar ride along King Street and services many of the young developing communities along the way. There is still the old-world friendliness and charm of Kensington Market and The St. Lawrence Market, just outside the community but still close by; each offers an experience all its own.

Eating at home is one thing, but downtown living has the temptation of dining out as a way of life. The Fashion District is surrounded by what should rightly be called the Epicure District so you can either make dinner or make reservations. Queen Street, King Street, and Spadina Avenue are full of some unbelievable restaurants.

China Town lines Spadina with every variation of Asian cuisine available, while Jewish delis, Thai restaurants, French, East Indian, West Indian, fusion, late-nite and 24-hour, hot dog vendors, pub style fare, sandwich counters, fast food joints, Middle-Eastern dining rooms, greasy spoons, cheapie, expensive, impress-a-date places, groovy diners, and health food specialists are all around – just to mention a few options.

Elements of the garment trade still remain in the Fashion District. Stock in the old shops and collections offered by wholesalers is unique. The entire experience is different when you buy from somebody who has been in the same place, making and selling the same things to generations of the same families.

But, like Herman Miller’s store, many are moving on, relocating, retiring, ending leases and making way for a new incarnation of the Fashion District. Yoga spas, pet supply boutiques, specialty coffees and designer everything are infusing the Fashion District and giving new meaning to the old neighbourhood name.

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Award-winning Brandy Lane Homes has just celebrated groundbreaking at Loggia – its landmark condominium at Islington and Queensway in south Etobicoke. Construction is moving ahead on both of the striking buildings that comprise this highly successful community. Prices start from just $159,990 (including up to $29,200 in extras depending on the plan), which means that anyone from first-time buyers to empty-nesters can realize their dream of affordable luxury in this hot Downtown West locale.

Just 15 minutes from downtown Toronto and close to Lake Ontario and the Waterfront Trail, this up-and-coming neighbourhood offers tempting shopping, restaurants, recreation and entertainment venues. Loggia provides an appealing residential component, and is part of Toronto’s Official Plan “Avenues” vision that calls for the transformation of existing areas into new urban centres.

Residents in Loggia’s established neighbourhood also have TTC at their doorstep, and can walk to numerous amenities.

Sales have been brisk. Loggia buyers are like-minded people who know real value when they see it, and who have bought with the intention of living in their condo. You don’t need to worry that a group of investors owns half the floor – your neighbours are owners like you.

Fabulous Flexibility

Architecturally, Loggia’s distinguishing characteristic comes from its name, which is the Italian term for the outdoor garden rooms that dot its European-style facade. The two terraced buildings are stepped back to allow for this design feature. Brandy Lane also offers “Flexi-Space” here – purchasers have the option to select a layout that accommodates either a European layout that features a contemporary environment, or a neo-traditional Cosmopolitan version.

Adding to the value, Loggia purchasers enjoy the exclusive use of the Loggia Club. This extraordinary amenities centre will be suspended between the two condominium towers to maximize views and natural light. Imagine doing laps in the sky pool, or soaking in the hot tub adjacent to the outdoor fireplace, gazing up at the night sky through an open roof after a long day at work. The Loggia Club also includes a fitness studio, change rooms, a dry sauna, as well as a party room/lounge that features skylights and an extended balcony.

The 774-sq.-ft. (includes a 95-sq.-ft. loggia), one-bedroom Biancavilla is just one of three exquisite new designs that purchasers are snapping up at Loggia. This suite’s European layout offers a den-dining-media room with a wealth of possibilities. The open concept Great Room overlooks the spacious loggia through huge expanses of glass. A moveable chef’s island in the gourmet kitchen allows owners to reconfigure the main space for entertaining. The generous bedroom features a sliding barn door, and a window opening onto the great room. Adding panache in the bath, a semi-exposed sink and Euro-style vanity are both functional and funky.

In addition to condominium suites, choices at Loggia include a select number of two-storey Courtyard Town Loft designs that encompass a patio walkout backing onto a landscaped interior park with pathways.

All designs offer parking, five appliances, and dazzling designer finishes including a choice of concrete feature walls; polished concrete floors; luxury carpeting; upgraded pre-finished hardwood flooring in the living/dining room area; upgraded ceramic floor and wall tiles; and a granite breakfast bar (as per plan).

Loggia purchasers are enthusiastic about the new community they have chosen to call home. There is still time to become part of the Loggia family. Available choices in both phases at Loggia include one, two and three-bedroom suites priced from $159,900 (which can translate to $983.50 per month all in).

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An opportunity like this happens once in a lifetime.

Following the success of The Met Phase 1, the potential to live in downtown Toronto in the heart of it all is more exciting than ever, now that Edilcan has introduced Encore at The Met. Phase II of this successful condominium community, located at Carlton and Yonge, will rise to 33 storeys – a neo-modern work of art crafted from shimmering glass. Response has been overwhelming, and it’s easy to understand why. Encore residents will have immediate access to the Yonge subway, and will live within walking distance to Bloor, the Eaton Centre, galleries, clubs, theatres, the YMCA, plus a delicious assortment of restaurants and cafes.

“Encore at The Met offers a lifestyle packed with convenience and luxury,” says Edilcan Vice President G.P. DiRocco. “For those who thrive on urban living, Encore is the perfect blend of location, resort-style amenities and spectacular views of the city and beyond. Purchasers here look forward to expanded horizons in outstanding surroundings. Many of them will be able to walk to work, which is a wonderful advantage, and it would be easy to live here and not have to own a vehicle at all.”

Among the numerous benefits of living at Encore are: The 24-hour concierge service and a fully functional club for residents’ exclusive use similar to what you’d find in a five-star hotel. The amenity space encompasses an indoor pool and whirlpool with a large sundeck; a steam room; an equipped exercise amphitheatre; a sumptuous club lounge; a landscaped terrace for barbecuing, entertaining party and dining rooms complete with a catering kitchen; a theatre screening room; a pressroom with magazines and an Internet bar; and two guest suites.

In addition, conveniently situated off the main entrance is a pet spa, where you can clean your pet after your morning and/or evening walk and just before returning home. The Club will also feature a recreation concierge staff, who will arrange a breadth of opportunities and events including supervised fitness classes, trips, excursions, tournaments, tickets for outings and more.

In the suites themselves, residents will feel pampered with a Mike Niven-designed kitchen featuring Euro-style cabinetry, a granite countertop (as per plan) and ceramic tile backsplash; four stainless steel appliances; pre-finished engineered hardwood flooring in the foyer, kitchen, living room and dining room; 40-oz. broadloom in the bedroom and den; and a floating medicine cabinet with wood shelf in the main or ensuite bath. All suites are wired for high-speed Internet access.

Edilcan is a renowned Toronto developer that has 50 years of experience creating exceptional residential condo and prestige commercial properties that have helped shape the city’s skyline. Encore at The Met will add another signature residential building to this company’s impressive portfolio, and will set the standard for design and quality in this coveted area.

Encore at The Met will encompass 325 suites, six Maisonettes on the ground level, and seven town/lofts on the third floor above the Maisonettes Levels. The studios, one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den, two-bedroom and two-bedroom plus den suites range in size from 356 to 916 sq. ft. and are priced from just $109,990. First occupancies are slated for June 2008.

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Call it an early wedding present. John Pardalis and Sophie Karalis are newly married. They took possession of their new condominium suite at Tower Hill Development Corporation’s Lawrence Park Condominiums community this spring.

The couple could not be happier. With their beautiful new condo, a vibrant neighbourhood they already love and a condominium community they can be proud of, they expect that it will be a case of “happily ever after.”

“Just the whole purchasing experience – from day one, walking in – was amazing,” says Pardalis. “Location, obviously, was key – my fiancée grew up in the neighbourhood – as were the design of the building and the layout of the suites. And the staff was also very friendly and accommodating, which definitely made the whole experience easier.”

The first-time buyers had been searching the Toronto condo market for months when they finally visited Lawrence Park. With the community already built, they were able to not only see first-hand the quality of the construction, but could visit the actual suite they were buying. “You can touch it, and I think that’s important,” Pardalis says. “You’re not making decisions off plans.”

The couple ended up purchasing the 950-sq.-ft. Bella Donna suite, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom layout that fit their needs well. Not only did the price match their budget, but they loved the fact that they could move in within 60 days. They were also more than impressed by the finishes they found – including granite kitchen countertops, designer cabinetry, and expansive windows that maximized the suite’s natural light.

The couple also expects to make good use out of the community amenities, especially the fitness centre and the elegant party space for entertaining. There is also a private tranquil park with almost two acres of residents-only gardens, as well as meandering stone pathways and a splashing waterfall. Approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of indoor amenities also include billiards and virtual golf, a relaxing Internet café, fireplace lounge and theatre. There is also a 24-hour concierge and security service that will take care of site security and guest requests.

But the final factor that made Lawrence Park Condominiums the perfect choice for Pardalis and Karalis was the location itself. “Sophie works downtown, so it offers easy access to transit,” Pardalis says. “For myself, I work at Hwy. 404 and Finch. Hwy. 401 is just a five-minute drive up Avenue Road and from there work is just a quick trip. This is so it’s central it’s perfect. I think that was key.”

Since Karalis grew up in the area, the couple knows the neighbourhood well and appreciates all the fabulous area amenities. One of Toronto’s most established residential communities, Lawrence Park is poised on the edge of a thriving retail environment and is home to an array of trendy shops and restaurants, including both Pusateri’s and Bruno’s, offering the choicest meats, produce and gourmet take-out. Chatsworth Ravine Park is also nearby, and the bus stops directly at the doorstep of the community, ready to take you to the Yonge Street subway station minutes away. “The location is just perfect for us,” says Pardalis.

Suites at Lawrence Park Condominiums range in size from 636 to 1,152 sq. ft. and are priced from the low $200’s.

The sales office for Lawrence Park Condominiums, along with four designer-decorated model suites – by designer Bryon Patton of Patton & Associates – is located on the fifth floor at 485 Rosewell Ave., just south of Lawrence and east of Avenue Road.

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Resale home transactions remained robust in the first half of August, as mid-month figures showed a 3% increase over the same timeframe last year, Toronto Real Estate Board President Dorothy Mason announced today.

The 3,290 sales to mid-month surpassed the 3,196 sales recorded to mid-August 2005, while prices increased 4% over the same timeframe to $333,396 at mid-month.

“The market is showing stability through the latter half of the summer,” Mrs. Mason said. “At a time when we traditionally see a moderation of activity, sales to mid-August are up marginally over July’s mid-month figure of 3,285.”

North of Toronto, Central Vaughan (N08) showed an overall sales increase of 41% compared to mid-August 2005.

In Mississauga, 37% more overall transactions took place in the eastern portion of Streetsville (W19) compared to last year’s mid-August figures, fueled by increased sales of townhomes.

In Toronto’s east end, Scarborough’s E09 district showed a 61% increase in overall sales compared to mid-August figures a year ago, as condominium sales more than doubled.

Condominium activity nearly doubled on the east side of North York Centre (C14), as overall transactions in the area went up 40% compared to mid-August of last year.

Ted Tsiakopoulos, CMHC’s Ontario regional economist, commented on the growing role condominiums are playing in the market.

“Condominium apartment sales as a share of total resale volumes have edged higher over the past year. This is largely due to rising detached home prices and continued condominium apartment completions, particularly in Central Toronto,” Mr. Tsiakopoulos said. “Improved job prospects in core Toronto areas and a stabilization in Toronto’s rental vacancy rate are also factors contributing to a strong pace of condo sales to both end users and investors alike.”

TREB’s President added that the stability of the GTA market is good news for consumers.

“Consistency and stability are the keys to this market,” Mrs. Mason said. “We are seeing steady performances backed up by strong fundamentals, and that means it’s a great time to be in the market.”

Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict code of ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service designed exclusively for REALTORS®. Serving more than 24,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board.
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