Trump is Elegance Refined
New release of residential suites answer market demand while retaining Trump Toronto’s trademark luxury, quality and services
From The Globe and Mail
Talon International Development Inc. has launched a bold new series of suite designs in its much anticipated Trump International Hotel and Tower, Toronto project. The goal? To meet the wellspring of demand for mid-sized residences, priced within reach of Toronto’s upwardly mobile young professionals and entrepreneurs.
“The demand was so great it was simply something we had to do,” says Alex Shnaider, Chairman of Talon International. “Previous designs offered luxury pieds-Ã -terre through the hotel suites and large, elegant residences.”
“What we found was that the hotel suites were quickly snapped up. At the same time, many prospective buyers suggested that what they really needed was something larger than the hotel suites but smaller than the large residential units.”
“They were more than happy to pay around the million dollar mark, plus or minus, if we could deliver smaller suites, but with all the famed luxury, quality and services Trump properties are known for.”
Judging by market reaction, Talon delivered all of that and so much more.
“Since the buzz of these new smaller suite designs started we have been swept off our feet by buyer interest,” says Larry Miller, Trump Toronto sales executive. “For the same price as a good many so-called luxury penthouses in and around the downtown area, buyers are getting a spectacular residence plus all those wonderful added amenities and services that go along with a true five-star hotel.”
Mr. Miller’s partner Robbyn Hayden is equally enthusiastic in her praise. “It was a brilliant idea,” she says. “One of the things that characterize this city is its enormous pool of highly success young professionals and entrepreneurs. They are men and women of considerable sophistication and with extremely active lives.”
“What they have told us they want are suites that meet their needs. That means large principal rooms, showplace kitchens and baths but in a smaller footprint. They are looking for residences between 1,200 and 1,600 square feet. It goes without saying that they also revel in the luxury and service Trump properties provide.”
Talon set celebrated architect Eberhard Zeidler of the Zeidler Partnership Architects and designer Trevor Kruse of Hudson Kruse Design Inc. the task of distilling the essence of the larger suites into sizes more suited to that younger audience. The results are spectacular.
Mr. Zeidler started by reconfiguring floors 41 through 61 of the 70-story tower. On floors 41 through 53 he redistributed space to accommodate six units per floor. On floors 54 to 61, he redesigned existing plans to accommodate four units per floor.
Floors 41 through 53 now offer residences measuring from 1,295 square feet to 2,200 square feet. Floors 54 through 61 offer larger options, starting at 1,662 square feet and ranging up to 3,054 square feet.
“Because of the initial design, this could be done with some ease and dexterity,” says Mr. Zeidler whose previous projects include landmarks like the Toronto Eaton centre, the Raymond F. Kravitz Centre for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach and BNI City in Jakarta. “Each floor plate offers unobstructed space from the central core to the curtain wall of windows.”
“The key to redesign was to maintain those grand open spaces and the breathtaking views that start with the foyer. I think we have been enormously successful. The exterior does not change, the amenities don’t change, the exceptional level of service does not change and the views do not change.”
“What has changed is the option of smaller suites and of course lower prices.”
Mr. Kruse saw his task as a distillation of all the grace notes that made the larger suites so distinctive. Principal rooms had to maintain those striking vistas, towering ceilings and generous proportions. Kitchens and bathrooms demanded an artist’s touch to preserve clean lines, elegant features and a sense of space and luxury.
“What we did was eliminate some of the features that simply did not suit the needs of a younger market,” he says. “No need for servant’s quarters, in some cases we preserved libraries and in others eliminated them. The focus was on delivering superb, regularly used spaces and ensuring there was absolutely no wasted space.”
Even in the smallest suites, those measuring 1,295 square feet, the living/dining area runs a full 30 by 15.5 feet. Floors glisten in tropical woods such as exotic Morado Rosewood.
Bathroom floors are solid slabs of marble inset with handcrafted glass mosaic tiles. Fixtures are by Kalista, Kohler’s exclusive top-of-the-line.
“Every suite has at least one corner view while some offer two and three. I can even think of several suites that have seven corner views,” says Mr. Kruse.
Increasing the number of suites has not significantly diminished privacy, he adds. On floors where there are four units, each has its own private elevator. On those where there are six units, two have private elevator access while the remaining four share a pair of small lobbies with just two suites per lobby. Separate service entrances have been maintained for all suites regardless of size.
“In essence what we have done is put a particularly Toronto face on our Trump development,”says Barry Landsberg, marketing director. “Each tower in the Trump International line has responded to local conditions in its own way. In Chicago, for example, commercial space was converted to residences and hotel suites.”
“Here in Toronto we are responding to demand from our vibrant young entrepreneurial and professional sector. They have told us Trump International Hotel and Tower is where they want to live. We want to make that dream come true.”
———————————————————————————
Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information
