It’s Condolicious … !

Riverdale Lofts … oh I mean Leslieville Lofts project has been scrapped. Apparently, the city and neighbourhood opposed the idea and another development (possibly in the form of stacked townhomes) will take its place. It’s really unfortunate as 50% of the building was sold and now those consumers will have to look elsewhere.  An application to rezone the area was rejected once before, late last year.  So hopefully, the buyers of this building were aware of this and were informed of the possible outcomes.

Leslieville Lofts at Broadview and Queen St. E.

It’s a nice neighbourhood. I use to live a few blocks east of there and attended school at Queen Alexandra (Broadview & Dundas). The building looked promising – very sleek and modern. But honestly it didn’t seem to fit in well with the surrounding buildings and homes.

Is this a foreshadowing of things to come?

A major Toronto developer says his condo projects are on track despite the global credit crunch and real estate downturn, but one east end loft has been scrapped after losing a zoning battle.

The sign has come down for Lamb Development Corp and Hyde Park Homes’ Leslieville Lofts, located off Queen Street East, after the Ontario Municipal Board ruled against the nine-storey proposal.

The city had opposed the project, Brad J. Lamb (pictured above) said in an interview today. Mr. Lamb says he still intends to build at 134-162 Broadview Avenue, but it will be in the form of a stacked townhouse, and the project won’t bear the name “Leslieville,” since the address is actually in neighbouring Riverside.

“If we had won, we would be going for financing now, and there’s no doubt it’s a more challenging environment. Any development in the city that has achieved 70% of their pre-sales, and the budget makes sense — in other words, they sold them at a high enough price that protects the bank — banks are lending developers money,” said Mr. Lamb. “All our projects that we’ve been involved with have got financing.”

On Friday, city budget chief Shelley Carroll revealed that a “handful” of Toronto developers were placed in tricky positions when the investment bank Lehman Brothers collapsed and cast doubt on their financing. “They’re domesticating now, and so the projects will go ahead,” Ms. Carroll said. Still, the city moved last week to freeze development charges in the midst of the credit crisis.

Toronto Building, the city office that issues development permits, said it has not seen the number of building applicants drop. Ann Borooah, chief building official, said the office is not usually appraised of projects that went sour. “They would take more time to proceed to the next stage of approval, or more time to proceed to construction. It would be some time before it’s confirmed that a project was in trouble,” she said.

In the case of the Leslieville Lofts, it was the city and the neighbourhood that came out against the development, said local councillor Paula Fletcher.

“Not only did people not like the height, they were very annoyed that they were trying to market Leslieville into the Riverside district,” said Ms. Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth).

She said other projects have respected the four-storey limit on Broadview, north of Queen Street, which is zoned as “neighbourhood.”

Mr. Lamb said his team believed the city had erred in its zoning, and that it in fact made sense to be able to “frame” the intersection with buildings of similar height on both the north and south side. Another Lamb project, called The Ninety, is nine storeys high and set to be located south of Queen.

“It’s actually quite typical for a project to be approved at twice or many times three or four times higher than the current zoning,” he said. “What’s strange is this very sacrosanct zoning in the city that’s called neighbourhood, and they fight very hard when you try to change a neighbourhood zoning,” he said.

He said most of King Street West has a zoning of 18 metres, “but they easily allow 30 metres.”
Anyone who had purchased a Leslieville Loft can get a refund, can buy at another Lamb development or sign up for the Leslieville reincarnation, said Mr. Lamb. About 50% of the units had been sold since it went on the market nine months ago.

Source: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/10/20/leslieville-lofts-dead-brad-lamb-goes-to-plan-b.aspx

TORONTO’S ARCHITECTURAL LANDMARK

• Canada’s tallest condominium offers unparalleled panoramic views of the entire city
• Beautifully designed and appointed, the stunning lobby overlooks a 3 acre park
• 24-hour concierge and security service controlling building access and surveillance of the building
• Elegant finishing details in corridors and in entrance doorways to each suite
• Individually controlled in-suite heat pump system offering on-demand central heating and air conditioning
• Individual suite metering for hydro consumption (subject to Hydro protocols)
• Architecturally designed, expansive double-glazed windows throughout exterior and pre-finished aluminum window frames
• Inviting landscaped entrance and welcoming arrival area
• Bicycle storage room with convenient air pump
• Three beautifully appointed suites for your out-of-town guests
• Lush, landscaped roof top garden over the podium
• State-of-the-art, high speed elevators
• Controlled elevator access to individual floors where applicable
• World class recreational centre with state-of-the-art equipment
• Sprinkler system in building to be one of the first in Ontario

EXTRAORDINARY LIVING SPACE FLOORS 5 – 55

• Private balconies and terraces with breathtaking views as per plan
• All ceilings to be white stippled, except in kitchen, bathrooms and laundry/storage area (where applicable)
• Kitchen, laundry area and bathroom ceilings are to be smooth, painted flat white
• Interior walls painted white in quality latex paint in all rooms, woodwork and trim in semi-gloss
• Sculpted 4″ baseboards and 2″ matching trim throughout
• Contemporary style swing interior doors with metal lever hardware
• Personally encoded in-suite intrusion alarm monitored by concierge
• In-suite smoke and heat detector and emergency button with intrusion alarm
• Decora switches and receptacles
• Capped ceiling outlet in living room, dining room and den

FOYER FEATURES

• Solid core suite entry door with elegant brushed metal lever hardware
• Mirrored sliding closet door or wood swing closet door as per plan

DREAM KITCHENS FLOORS 5 – 55

• Contemporary design highlights these unique gourmet kitchens
• Choose from sophisticated cabinetry packages, in a range of appealing colours from builder’s samples
• Sleek, stainless steel refrigerator with tempered glass front panel, stainless steel self cleaning oven, dishwasher and space-maker microwave
• Countertops and backsplash are a precision crafted, durable solid surface selected from an expressive grouping of samples and colours
• Halogen track lighting
• Durable stainless steel sink complemented by a single lever chrome faucet and integrated drain board

LUXURIOUS BATHROOMS FLOORS 5 – 55

• Contemporary lines accent the unique vanity design for the main or ensuite bathroom. The builders package includes a range of fashionable vanity colours to choose from.
• Relaxing deep soaker tub in ensuite or main bathroom (as per plan)
• Overmount sink in main or ensuite bathroom
• Fashionable single lever faucets on all vanity sinks
• Full height porcelain and ceramic tiles create a gracious look on bathtub walls in main or ensuite bathroom. Builder’s packages include exciting samples and colour choices.
• Porcelain tile bathtub skirt in main or ensuite bathroom. Fashionable samples and colours from builder’s packages
• Porcelain tile flooring in main or ensuite bathroom. Contemporary colours and samples from builder’s packages
• Ceramic tile flooring in second bathroom. Builder’s packages provide a selection of samples and colour choices
• Separate shower stall features frameless glass door as per plan
• Exterior vented exhaust fan in all bathrooms
• Privacy locks on all bathroom doors
• Pressure balanced tub and shower faucets provide total temperature control
• Designer bathroom fixtures complete the look
• Dual flush toilet in main or ensuite bathroom

BEDROOM RETREATS FLOORS 5 – 55

• Mirrored sliding closet doors, or wood swing closet doors as per plan
• Easy sliding, glass panel, bedroom doors for a more spacious, open concept layout as per plan

SOPHISTICATED FLOOR COVERINGS FLOORS 5 – 55

• Engineered wood flooring in all rooms except bathroom and laundry rooms. The builder’s package includes enough samples and colours to express your lifestyle

LAUNDRY FLOORS 5 – 55

• Easy care, white ceramic tile flooring in laundry closet
• Convenient front loading stacked washer and dryer combination

SAFE AND SECURE PARKING GARAGE

• Residents’ underground parking accessed via a secure garage door operated by personal remote control
• The garage is painted white and brightly lit for convenience and security
• The garage is well ventilated and protected by fire sprinklers for added safety and protection
• Strategically located parabolic mirrors provide visibility to assist traffic flow
• Closed circuit cameras with two-way voice communication monitored by 24-hour concierge are provided in the garage for surveillance and access monitoring

VIGILANT ACCESS CONTROL

• Uniformed concierge and security stationed in the main lobby and on duty lobby 24/7
• On site management
• State-of-the-art enterphone system in the lobby vestibule allows visitors to contact residents directly to gain admittance complete with in-suite monitoring facility through TV cable
• Personally encoded suite security access system monitored by the 24-hour concierge
• Hand held personal emergency alert device to activate alarm
• Exterior doors from common areas and amenities monitored at concierge desk
• Underground security system complete with security keyfob

ELECTRICAL FEATURES AND INTERCONNECTIVITY

• 100 amp electrical service with circuit breakers and copper wiring throughout suite (110/208 volt)
• Pre-wired cable TV outlets in living/dining, kitchen, bedrooms and den if applicable
• Pre-wired telephone jacks in living/dining, kitchen, bedrooms and den if applicable
• Wiring for high speed Internet
• All balconies and terraces to have electrical outlets.

Over the next few days, I’ll be posting ample content on Aura at College Park.  You’ll find the floor plans, information on features and finishes, special dates, photos, etc. all provided to you without signing up.  You’ll save time and resources from downloading the large pdf files just to view the floor plans.  They’ll be laid out in our typical Condolicious format.

Aside from the subpar splashpage (see), everything is looking great heading into the launch date.  It’s certainly going to be a phenomenal “building in the sky”!  If you may be interested in this project … even remotely … please register at info@condolicious.com and you’ll be well taken care of.

Here’s the first tidbit and more to come:

• Canderel Stoneridge is one of the largest condominium builders in Toronto with over 2000 condominium units built or under construction and a further 1000 in the planning stages.
• The Residences of College Park Phase I is now completed and registered. Phase II has already started to occupy.
• Both buildings showcase the luxury appointments signature to a Canderel Stoneridge building.
• AURA AT COLLEGE PARK is proposed to be one of the tallest residential towers in Canada.
• Modern glass building will have stunning views of the city, lake and skyline.
• Podium level will consist of top name retailers in North America, making the building one of the few mixed use buildings in the city.
• Direct underground access to the subway means owners never have to step outside to reach the transit station.
• A world class recreation centre is planned for the building that encompasses some of the most state of the art facilities seen in a condominium in Toronto.
• Environmentally conscious building means a sustainable building for the 21st century.
• Suite finishes will be of the highest level incorporating the finest natural stone and woods.

It’s not often you get to walk through already-built suites for sale in a new Toronto condo building.

This project features 364 hectares of parkland across the street and the historic Inn on the Park next door.

Monarch has a handful of units available in Haven, the third and final phase of its Carrington development at Leslie and Eglinton, beside the historic Inn on the Park.

“You can see what you get,” says Linda Mitchell, vice-president of sales and marketing highrise for Monarch. “The site is built out, so there’s no more construction, no noise going on… it’s the last phase of three buildings. The landscaping, everything’s all completed.For those who don’t want to go through construction for the next three years or wait for their suite. There are a few left.”

Haven is one of three buildings in the development located a few minutes’ drive to the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401.

“It’s not downtown and it’s not one of these new King West areas, it’s almost like a long-lost forgotten area without a lot of recent development in it,” Mitchell says. “If you like greenery and you want to be away from the hustle and bustle but close enough to it, it’s perfect for that.”

The available suites are spacious,, ranging from a 1,250 square foot two-bedroom unit to a 1,862 square foot two-bedroom plus den unit. Prices go from $391,990 to $643,990.

All remaining units come with two parking spots.

Units feature balconies with park views, nine-foot ceilings in principal rooms, pre-finished engineered hardwood flooring in the living/dining room, den, library and hallway, five-inch baseboards, granite kitchen countertops and double or single stainless steel under-mounted sinks and six brand name appliances and soaker tubs, as per plans.

In addition, the largest suite includes a six-foot whirlpool tub, stainless steel appliances, cornice moulding in the living and dining rooms and extended high kitchen cabinets.

Amenities include a party room with caterer’s kitchen and bar that opens to a landscaped patio, a fitness room, a theatre and sports lounge.

For more information, you can contact us here.

Source

Half of suites priced under $200,000

SYDNIA YU

To cater to the demand for more affordable housing in an urban setting, Monarch and Goldman Group have priced nearly half of the condo suites in their new building in Scarborough at less than $200,000.

The 40-storey tower, called Red, will have units ranging from one bedroom to two bedrooms with a den, starting as low as $153,990.

“A lot of the downtown core has gotten out of the price range for people to buy,” says Linda Mitchell, Monarch’s vice-president of high-rise sales and marketing.

“[Scarborough is] one of the last locations for affordable product … that offers all the shops, transportation and amenities that you’d see in a city centre.”

The 370-unit building will be officially launched tomorrow. It’s the latest addition to a master-planned community to the south of the Scarborough Town Centre, called Equinox. More than 500 units have been sold in 29- and 35-storey towers under construction, and over 600 units in two 37-storey high-rises are occupied.

Within a block of the site, a mall includes many retailers, restaurants and a movie theatre, and a Loblaw super store is planned for the area. The site will have easy access to the Scarborough rapid transit system and Highway 401.

Within Red, there will be such recreational amenities as a gym, sports lounge, a theatre with cinema-style seating, as well as a party room with a caterer’s kitchen, bar and billiards table.

Suites will have expansive windows, balconies and in some cases, solariums. Most layouts will have galley-style kitchens and principal rooms separating the bedrooms.

“The floor plans are more of a traditional and practical nature,” Ms. Mitchell says.

Standard features include strip laminate flooring, sisal carpeting or 40-ounce broadloom. Kitchens will have ceramic-tile backsplashes and granite countertops.

Green features will figure more prominently than in previous towers. Among them are low-E argon-filled windows, paints with low levels of toxic emissions, and an automated system to sort waste and recyclables.

Each unit will have individually metered hydro, five appliances — including an Energy Star fridge, built-in dishwasher and stacked washer — and low-flow showerheads and bathroom faucets.

Monarch will provide a car-sharing program, and buyers who do not purchase a parking spot will receive transferable TTC metro passes for one year.

Other conveniences will include a 24-hour concierge, guest suites and a car wash bay in the garage.