King West condos and lofts “on sale”

By Sydnia Yu – Globe and Mail

When most of the factories in the King Street West and Strachan Avenue area relocated to the suburbs in the 1960s and 70s, many of the old buildings were converted into workspaces for artisans and technology-based enterprises.

Eclectic shops, galleries, trendy restaurants and nightclubs were attracted to the area to service the hip, young crowd, transforming King West into a desirable residential neighbourhood.

“It’s become a cool spot,” especially among first-time buyers looking for a downtown lifestyle, says Linda Mitchell, vice-president of high-rise sales and marketing for Monarch, which is building Liberty Village there.

“Even though it’s a new community with new construction, there’s a nice balance and mix of old buildings,” Ms. Mitchell adds.

The third and final phase in Monarch’s project — called Vibe — consists of condos and two-storey lofts. The collection offers popular designs from previous phases, including wide and shallow plans with expansive windows and balconies that are six feet deep.

“The layout … gives you a lot more natural light and makes the living room feel more spacious,” she says.

To celebrate 90 years in business, Monarch began a 90-day promotion on April 1 that offers 1 per cent of the purchase price on units at its 12 high-rise and 16 low-rise communities across Southern Ontario.

The first phase of the community is virtually sold out and occupied, while the second phase is under construction, with only 20 units left.

Vibe, a 24-storey glass tower will have a five-storey brick and glass podium filled with shops, recreational facilities and residential suites.

“We didn’t mess with success too much to come up with Vibe,” says Ms. Mitchell, who explains that its design is similar to the first two buildings, which both contain more than 300 units.

A pedestrian bridge will link Vibe to the first tower, which, in turn, will be connected to the second building.

Vibe will incorporate several “green” features, such as a green roof on the podium and an automated recycling system. Suites will have Energy Star appliances, and water-saving, low-flow showerheads and faucets.

Standard features include strip laminate flooring and 40-ounce broadloom; granite countertops, pantries and breakfast bars in the kitchens; and bathrooms with cultured marble countertops, soaker tubs and shower stalls with framed glass doors.

There will be a monthly fee of 43 cents a square foot; heat and hydro will be individually metered.

Among the amenities are a 24-hour concierge, guest suites and a car-wash bay. A games lounge and party room with a kitchen and bar will be adjacent to a landscaped patio.

Vibe will also have a fitness room, sports and Internet lounges, and a theatre with cinema-style seating, which will be shared with residents of the other towers.

Residents of Vibe will be able to use facilities elsewhere in the complex, such as the indoor pool and whirlpool.

PROJECT: Vibe

LOCATION: Liberty Village

BUILDER: Monarch

PRICE: $159,990 to more than $400,000

SIZE: 380-square-foot studios to 900-square-foot two-bedroom units, along with penthouses measuring 1,100 square feet

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information

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