The same people, who brought 2 Gladstone to Queen West, are doing it again… But this time it’s on the other side of town! In the heart of Riverside Village at 630 Queen St E and minutes from the Distillery District and Corktown is where you’ll find Streetcar Developments newest loft called SYNC!

It looks to be an intimate 8 story building with an industrial, yet modern facade. The lofts will have pre-wired speakers, internet connectivity, HDTV (hence the word SYNC) and smooth 9ft ceilings! Streetcar is no stranger to the East end of Queen, having built EDGE Lofts and currently working on their Corktown District phases a few blocks West.

The area is becoming increasingly popular with projects like River City, the 80-acre West Don Lands Revitalization and the 2015 Pan American Village all being developed a few blocks away!

The last project they launched, 2 Gladstone, sold-out almost entirely in it’s opening week. I wouldn’t be surprised to see similar results for SYNC. I’ll have prices and floor plans in the coming days. As always, if you’d like to live here, send me and email or give me a call…I’d love to help!

Expect modern kitchens with stone counters, stainless steel appliances, sliding glass bedroom doors, and more!

It looks like we’re getting closer and closer to the launch of ART Condos – a boutique atmosphere in the Studio District with only 147 suites!  The 11 story building will be made up of studios from 460 sqf to 2 bedroom units (with den) at 1290 sqf. The spacious unit will also feature a 960 sq f terrace on the 9th floor.  My personal pick is the two level suites that will have living, office, dining and kitchen on the first level with 2 bedrooms and laundry on the second!  Units will have 9ft ceilings and many include terraces or balconies.  In keeping with the culture, floor plans include long hallways allowing residents to show off their own collections of art in their units.

Amenities will include a resident lounge with fireplace, bar, and catering kitchen.  There will be an outdoor terrace with BBQ’s, a fire pit, built in banquets and a hot tub! I can’t wait to see what the interiors will look like…when you hire a team on 3RD UNCLE DESIGN; you know you’re in for a treat!

There’s nothing I dislike more then when condos are designed to look like night clubs.  Very quickly you get the Vegas effect (you want to leave after 4 days).  This condo is the exact opposite, embracing the area and celebrating its creative side. One article I read mentioned the main floor having live/work units which are sure to attract purchasers looking to make the most out of the Queen West location!

Prices and a launch date the next two strokes to complete the “ART Condo” painting, but until then check out their updated website with floor plans, a map of the area and an art gallery.  It’s going to be a great addition and an interesting mix of business and art!  Send me an email if you’d like further updates on the project.

I felt as if Real Estate was starting to get really boring… again! More than text and photos, I believe the public wants to be engaged and given more than warped virtual tours and abbreviated descriptions i.e. “cndo 4 sle, ull luv it. gr8 $$$”

That’s why: From now on, all my listings will feature a video showing A LOT more than words can ever say! What’s even better is that you’ll be able to watch the video right from your mobile phone! Scan the barcode below from your phone for an example of my marketing in action!

Thinking of selling, i’d love to help…wow, i talk really fast!

In true Toronto fashion, a compassionate group of small business are doing their share to help the people of Haiti. Simply put, “Toronto Works for Haiti” is a group of volunteers offering professional services in exchange for donations to Haiti.

I had the privilege of meeting with the group … and believe be when I say they’re a coooool bunch of people with very diverse offerings. They can help you with everything from Japanese translation/interpretation to style consultation. (fella’s let’s face it, some of us are still rocking the silk ties!) All the service providers who have joined TW4H are providing special packages, and all the proceeds from them will go directly to the charities (Canadian Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders Canada, and The Humanitarian Coalition) with ZERO administration cost! If you have a service you’d like to donate, contact the group with your proposal! They’ve set a very modest goal of $5000 and are pumped about exceeding it.  Everyday they’re updateing their blog on progress the group has made and developments from the ground in Haiti.

I’m supporting the group by donating a portion of my commission as follows: From January 18 to February 28th 2010 for every $1000 dollars I help buy or sell in resale real estate, 1$ will be donated to one of the 3 charities mentioned above. For example, on a $400,000 purchase or sale $400 from my commission will be donated. This is a concept thought up by Andrew la Fleur and supported by Katy Galica and Kenny Shim from Re/Max Condo Plus (contact each Realtor for their exact details)

It’s a great way for Torontonians to continue supporting the relief efforts in Haiti while benefiting from one of the many skilled service providers this City has to offer!

As always…contact me for more info, I’d love to help!

It’s funny how fast things change! The same time last year I was using Facebook once and a blue moon, contemplated joining LinkedIn and hadn’t even heard of Twitter.  Fast forward a year and I have 4 website/blogs not including all the “social media” sites I’ve subscribed to!  The problem in the past was that I had a ton of info but no way of sharing them.  Now I have a ton of websites, but find it impossible to tell people about them in one breath…

Enter: SavelAndTheCity.com

It’s my new one-stop shop website that allows visitors to see the many sides of “Savel”! For example… by clicking  “in photos“, you’ll be taken to my photo blog which shows off all the cool pics I take around the City.  Interested in the happenings of Yorkville?  Try clicking on “BloorCondos.com” for the latest in high-end Real Estate and lifestyle! Or maybe you’re ready to have me work for you…click on “SavelSells.com” to find out more about the services I provide and how I get the job done!  Lastly there’s “SavelBlogs.com”, it’s an informal way of sharing my knowledge and experiences as a downtown Realtor… from new construction projects to the latest in upcoming trends my goal is to incorporate it all. 

As one colleague asked: “Is all this online fluff really necessary???” ABSOLUTLY…it keeps me on my toes and current with the ever changing downtown core.  Long gone are the Wild West ways of the past.  Transparency is everything and this is my way of participating in it. There’s more that makes a Realtor, beyond the cheesy bus stop ads, past the flashy suites, knowledge is what you’re hired for.  By using the different social media sites, it allows me to take in more info and through my various “Savel” themed outlets, i’m able to share it!

enjoy!

The wait is over for residents of the Murano Towers at Bay and College.  By month end all units in both towers will have completed final closing meaning residents can now list their units for sale (or rent) on the MLS. The two glass towers standing at 45 and 37 stories respectively is located on the east side of Bay Street between Grenville and Grosvenor, immediately north of College Street.  The North tower is just about finished with construction in the South tower not far behind.  

I’ve listed a very unique one bedroom unit on the 38th floor! The condo has one of the largest dens on the market! It can easily be used as a second bedroom, study or nursery. 9 foot ceilings surround the space and help accentuate the open concept feel. After a busy day in the City, residents can unwind in the many amenities such as sauna, hot tub or pool with retractable roof. Stay in and enjoy the views (see above) or go out and take in the city… you’re only steps away from one of the longest streets in the world! The University of Toronto, Hospitals and TTC is all within steps of the condo.  Grocery stores like Metro can be found to the South and a 24 hours Sobey’s to the North. 

The seller is including the following: brand new dishwasher, stove, microwave, fridge, light fixtures, locker, closet organizer, stacked washer and dryer. Furniture may also be included. Views like this won’t last long! 

The common area patio (with BBQ’s) is still undercontruction and the retail space on the podium is yet to be filled.  Once completed finished, Murano will offer a ton of amenities and shops for it’s residents.  They have 24 hour security on site and monitoring the building and a lot of visitor parking below!  If you’re working with a Realtor tell them you’d love to see this listing…if you’re not working with one, tell me!…i’d love to help. 

If any residents are interested in selling at this time…i’d also love to help!

In November, River City Condos had their “lottery system” launch for Realtors and VIPs! They had tremendous success selling about 150 of their pre release units. The remaining units in the first two phases (the River St building and the King St building) are going to be released sometime in late February during a public launch. I’ve been given the opportunity and privilege of previewing prices and floor plans of the soon-to-be released units, earlier in the week. In short…I like what I see.

They’ve brought more useable space to purchasers through spacious corner suites in both buildings. A nearly 1200 sqf townhouse is also available this time around and comes with a garden patio. I sold here back in December and was quite pleased with the experience. At the time they had capped my purchaser’s adjustments to one of the lowest amounts I’ve ever seen! (The lower the developer caps a cost the less a purchaser has to pay at closing…for those not in the business, it’s a really good thing). Add over 23 acres of parks and public spaces as well as all the LEED Gold initiatives that the developers have planned…and we have ourselves some very exciting real estate!

They’re in the process of setting up a Saucier + Perrotte model kitchen at the sales centre which should be completed in the coming weeks. If you’d like to preview the floor plans and prices for River City before the February launch, there’s an awesome coffee shop (Savoury Grounds on Queen St) where I like to meet with clients :) send me and email or give me a call… I’d love to help