Tag Archives: highrise
Toronto condo’s musical theme inspired by Massey Hall
Sydnia Yu – The Globe and Mail
Directly across from the Eaton Centre in the heart of Toronto’s downtown core, a historic bank was boarded up and abandoned 25 years ago. But plans to transform the heritage building into a modern highrise has the public returning to make financial transactions of another kind.
“We were one of the highest-selling projects in the third quarter with over 75% sold already,” says Gary Switzer, president and CEO of MOD Developments. “It has been very satisfying for us that we’ve rescued this building, and it’ll become part of a new development.”
Hariri Pontarini Architects designed this 60-storey residence with fritted glass and sculptural balconies surrounding 698 suites above a four-storey portion of the bank, which was one of three constructed for the Canadian Bank of Commerce along Yonge Street between Queen and Shuter streets circa 1905.
Massey Tower and the old Canadian Bank of Commerce
“People don’t want to live in another condo tower; here’s something with personality and quality,” says Mr. Switzer. “We’ve used one of the best modern architects to do the tower itself, which is a stunning, articulated tower behind the old bank, so you get this combination of old and new, which is great.”
Just as the exterior will be restored, the developer refurbished intricate mosaic floors, vaulted ceilings and plaster mouldings showcased inside the sales centre, which will eventually become the residential lobby with concierge and a porter.
“It’s probably the grandest entrance to any condominium in Toronto,” Mr. Switzer states. “And Cecconi and Simone have done a hip version of Edwardian architecture with chandeliers to play on this whole theme.”
Though buyers may not be familiar with the interiors, it is likely many walked past the landmark at 197 Yonge St., which is just steps from hundreds of shops and restaurants in and around the Eaton Centre, major theatres and event venues, as well as several hospitals and universities.
Massey Tower in the heart of downtown
“It’s a great location,” Mr. Switzer adds. “It’s literally right at the Queen subway stop … but a lot of people living here will walk to St. Lawrence Market, Queen West and the Financial District.”
For those who go further distances, GO and VIA train stations, Billy Bishop Airport and highways are all nearby. The project’s name and music-themed art also pays homage to its famous next-door neighbour, Massey Hall, which will be given a parcel of land from the Massey Tower site.
“They can finally do an addition and renovation of Massey Hall, which they’ve never been able to do because they were land-locked,” says Mr. Switzer. “It’s cool that we can help out this national institution.”
The building will also be a beacon of activity with fitness studios, a juice bar and treatment room on the ninth floor, plus a cocktail lounge, dining room, piano bar and dance hall surrounded by a rooftop terrace on the 10th floor.
“Instead of another boring party room, we set it up [as] a place where you can have a proper party and have live music,” Mr. Switzer explains.
To entertain or relax in privacy, there will be one- to three-bedroom suites – though buyers have combined two to create larger spaces – with open principal rooms and nine-foot ceilings. Cecconi Simone will assemble three finishing packages with sleek, Euro-style appliances, contemporary kitchens cabinetry and granite, composite stone or Corian countertops, among other luxury finishes.
Monthly fees will be 53 cents per square foot and parking priced at $69,000 for suites over 800 square feet. Occupancy is slated for November, 2016.
—————————————————————————————————–
Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information – 416-388-1960
Laurin & Natalie Jeffrey are Toronto Realtors with Century 21 Regal Realty.
They did not write these articles, they just reproduce them here for people
who are interested in Toronto real estate. They do not work for any builders.
—————————————————————————————————–
Incoming search terms
Related posts:
- On Toronto’s Yonge Street, a condo tower with a sensuous embrace The new building is slated (if the city goes along...
- Massey Harris Lofts Authentic loft conversions are relatively hard to come by in...
- Uncovering the beauty under bird poop on Toronto’s Yonge Street Dave LeBlanc – Globe and Mail all him Mr. Yonge Street....
- Project inspired by modern Italy Excerpt from an article by Valerie Hauch – Toronto Star...
- Bloor St. has inspired memorable architecture The stretch west of Avenue Rd., across from the Royal...
277 Davenport offers intimate luxury
Ryan Starr – Toronto Starr
Growing numbers of this city’s wealthy empty nesters are looking to downsize from larger homes and enter the world of condo ownership, but without sacrificing the luxurious lifestyles to which they are accustomed, naturally.
When it comes to truly luxe condo offerings, however, options in Toronto tend to be limited.
“There’s a lot of luxury real estate on the market with hotels and all the activities, the hustle and bustle, if you want that,” says Burnac Development Corp. president Ted Burnett.
“But lots of those people just don’t want to move into a 50-storey condo building where you don’t know your neighbours. The transition from the high-class home in Forest Hill, with a lawn and driveway, to a huge pill box — it’s too much to handle.”
Burnac’s new luxury project, 277 Davenport, a six-storey, 10-unit boutique building just west of Avenue Road — or Ave and Dav, where Yorkville meets the Annex — offers the upmarket/downsizing crowd something rather different, he says. “Here you’ll know your neighbour; you’ll walk down the hall and say hello to someone. And there are only 10 units, so the elevator will come when you want it.
“It’s a nice transition for an affluent person who becomes an empty nester and who doesn’t want (to deal with) that whole thing with the highrise.”
277 Davenport’s luxury suites range from 1,819-square-foot units with two bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms to 3,767-square foot suites with three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms.
Prices go from $1.65 million for lower-floor suites to $3.3 million for those on the top levels. All units come with one parking space. (The project went on sale late last year.)
The penthouse takes up the entire top floor of the building, has a direct elevator, large patio, a terrace, and a green roof with lounge seating and swimming pool. It recently sold for $5.3 million, “by a local empty nester,” Burnett says — to someone in the “fashion business.”
277 Davenport, a building with strong horizontal planes punctuated by large balconies and floor-to-ceiling glass, is designed by Toronto architects Hariri Pontarini, the top-flight firm behind projects such as One Bloor, Shangri-La and The Florian.
Unlike some of the glitzy new hotel-condos downtown, 277 Davenport is aiming for luxuriousness without going gaudy, explains interior designer Tristan Fuller. “It’s not over the top luxury. We’re not talking Trump here. It’s more subtle; an understated elegance.”
Suites have 10-foot-high ceilings in principal rooms, floor to ceiling windows and terraces. Flooring is custom-stained straight plank hardwood. All residences are pre-wired for future installation of motorized shading and come with a glass enclosed gas fireplace.
“We’ve designed the principal rooms to serve as backdrops for collections and for entertaining,” explains Alana Boychuk.
Kitchens have Corian countertops, 10-foot islands and high-end appliances, including a 30-inch Miele fridge/freezer, Miele gas cooktop and a stainless steel Miele wall oven. There is also a dishwasher and front-loading washer/dryer — yes, both Miele.
The master ensuite has a six-foot Duravit soaker bathtub and Zucchetti shower bar with rain shower-head. “The appliances and fixtures are in keeping with what’s expected at this level,” Boychuk says.
“Conformity is not spoken here,” the sales brochure for 277 Davenport notes.
Indeed buyers are able to customize their units, and most so far have done just that, Burnett says.
“One buyer wanted traditional design, so we changed the trim package. One wanted totally modern, so we switched to modern. Even walls, if they’re non-structural, we can change that too.”
Most builders would freak at having to deal with so many changes, but in this case Burnett insists he doesn’t mind. “This is not a cookie cutter project, customization is definitely available here.”
Accordingly, Boychuk + Fuller have designed residences that present a “comfortable backdrop,” Fuller says. “The colours are all very warm and there’s a certain plushness … but we didn’t over-program the suites.”
Burnett says 277 Davenport is modeled on the kinds of apartment buildings one might find along Park Avenue in New York — smaller high-end residences with a concierge. “It’s a way of life that’s well-tested in other major cities, and something we thought was lacking here.”
—————————————————————————————————–
Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information – 416-388-1960
Laurin & Natalie Jeffrey are Toronto Realtors with Century 21 Regal Realty.
They did not write these articles, they just reproduce them here for people
who are interested in Toronto real estate. They do not work for any builders.
—————————————————————————————————–
Incoming search terms
Related posts:
- Luxury Living: Cool with condo As Toronto condo prices march steadily upward, luxury suites are...
- Luxury Living: Little Luxuries While growing Toronto is home to plenty of soaring developments...
- Toronto Luxury Condos: ONE12 St. Clair Experience Unparalleled Intimacy And Opulence New Dream Homes and Condos...
- Luxury Living: The glam slam All forms of luxury homes in the GTA have...
- Luxury Toronto Condo Living From Lake Ontario to tony Yorkville and out to the...
Building family-friendly condos
Creative solutions are urged to make intensification work for families
Excerpt from an article by Theresa Boyle, Real Estate Reporter, Toronto Star
Toronto’s director of urban design wants to see more family-friendly condominiums built in the city.
During the recent municipal election, candidates such as Ward 20 victor Adam Vaughan suggested too many condominiums offer small units targeted at young singles. When couples settle down and start families, they are often forced to move out to the suburbs.
It’s about creating “real communities with the highrise condominium form,” he says.
The convertible suite is one idea that’s gaining in popularity, he notes. This involves building a large three- or four-bedroom unit in a condominium in such a way that it can be divided into two units, each with separate access to the hallway.
Another idea proposed by Vaughan during the election is to “rough in” connecting doorways between small condo units, so a family can purchase two small units and turn it into a single large one.
Glenn Miller, director of education and research with the Canadian Urban Institute, says it’s necessary for condos to accommodate people through the various stages of their lives.
“I don’t think condos are not family friendly. People think you have to have a backyard to raise children. They have to get over that,” she says.
She adds there’s a parkette across the street for the children, and they love to frolic in the condo‘s amenity spaces. As well, the Toronto Reference Library is directly across the road.
A three-bedroom condo is expensive and families feel that, for the same price, they can get a house with a backyard, she says.
Freedman agrees a shift in mindset is necessary when it comes to raising children in condos.
But he says there are some features that make condos more attractive to families, such as having great playgrounds, parks, community centres, libraries and schools in the area.
But he notes developers in other cities are designing condos with those family-oriented facilities included.
“I understand in New York there are lots of condo buildings that have all kinds of amenities for kids, such as after school drop-in and homework rooms, supervised indoor and outdoor play areas, et cetera.”
———————————————————————————
Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information
Incoming search terms
Related posts:
- Family-size condos urged for downtown Downtown Toronto will turn into a child-free zone if apartment...
- Real estate deep freeze now hot thaw Sales in May and early June have outdone May and...
- Toronto has world-class condos By Jeanhy Shim – National Post What makes a city “great?”...
- Condos as the New Toronto Starter Home With property prices in the GTA skyrocketing, 50% of condos...
