Archive for the ‘Real Estate’ Category

500 St. Clair, the newest condo to be completed in Toronto has just registered! This means unit owners can now sell their suites on the open market (MLS).  I was lucky enough to accompany my client during their pre delivery inspection before the building was complete and was very impressed with how construction was coming along. The kitchens – spacious. The cieling heights – generous. The lobby – very elegant… but the BIGGEST eye opener was the views!!! Residents of 500 St. Clair have some of the most comprehensive City views I have ever seen!

Residents in this art-deco inspired condo are welcomed by the concierge.  From there they can relax with friends and neighbours at the “Forest Hill Club”.  The club feature some great amenities including: indoor pool, outdoor patio, fitness room, theatre, billiard room, library and a furnished guest suite!

Original purchasers of 500 St. Clair were not allowed to sell their units until the building had registered with the City.  Now that it has, some great layouts have come on the market!  If you’ve thought of selling or living at the newly built condo…give me a call or send me an email, I’d love to help!

Below is a look at the outside facade of 500 St. Clair:

We’re working hard to bring some great updates to the blog…you may see some weird things happening while you browse, we should be back to normal shortly!

A few weeks back, you may remember me blogging about a seminar by Street Car Developments…  Originally I had thought it was open to all to attend, but for that particular event it is was Realtors only.   On Monday, I attended the hour long seminar as Jeanhy Shim crunched the numbers and gave us an optimistic look on the downtown condo market!

One key point she mentioned was in regards to the diversity and flexibility of  condominium units as a housing style.  Condos are often the housing ‘type’ of choice for the first timer buyer. On the other end of the spectrum, a condo can also be highly desirable for seniors and empty nesters looking to downsize! In short, the condominium product caters to 2 of the biggest “types” of purchasers making it a very versatile investment!

I had an “a-haa moment” as Jeanhy shared her point.  I often find myself discussing (or rather arguing) on the topic of how Condo living is not a fad, and is here to stay! The chart below should help to put that topic to rest!

Of course, a lot more info was shared during the presentation…and if you’re not an agent but would have liked to attend, don’t worry, your chances are coming up!  On Sunday July 25th 2:00-3:30pm, Wednesday August 11th and Wednesday August 25th from 6:00-7:30pm they’ll be having similar talks!  These seminars will be more geared towards the “In’s and Out’s” of buying preconstruciton with a heavy emphasis on why the East end is the “next big thing”!

The seminar will be held at the Streetcar Presentation Centre (625 Queen St E) or Edge Lofts for those that are familiar with the area!  Be sure to RSVP with the number above…and if you’re thinking of buying in the East end, give me a call I’d love to help!

On a recent visit to the River City Sales Centre, I noticed something different about the street… the old commercial buildings that once stood on the North side of Eastern Ave were gone!

The demolition of the buildings was to make way for Underpass Park, the most extensive park to ever be built under an overpass in Canada, and the first in Toronto.  The Park will cover approximatily 2.5 acres under and around the Eastern Avenue overpasses.  I had thought the park would be much smaller, but after seeing the work being done, it’s much more clear of how far the public space will stretch!

According to the Waterfront Toronto website:

“Designed by renowned landscape architects Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg in association with The Planning Partnership, Underpass Park embodies design excellence and is the epitome of innovative urban park design.  The design creates a socially-engaging park for community members of all ages and abilities by incorporating public art, recreational space, playful climbing structures and play areas, flexible community space, community gardens, and public gathering places.” 

Here are a few photos I took of the park under construction:

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I took a short break in between appointments to enjoy Toronto’s newest beach, appropriately named “Sugar Beach”. Located at the foot of Lower Jarvis Street adjacent to the Redpath Sugar Factory, this beautiful public space was once a parking lot in a former industrial area!

Escape the hustle and bustle of downtown and relax at the beach for a bit…you’ll be glad you did!

*minor correction* I say “Cherry Beach” in the last 10 seconds, but meant “Sugar Beach”… blame it on the sun!

The Gotham Vintage lofts, located at 781 King Street West, has something quite different that your average Downtown condo…forget about virtual golf simulators or bowling allies, this loft has it’s own app! Created by Christopher King of MOBILE HOME™, the app is the first of it’s kind in Toronto (at least to my knowledge).

According to it’s press release:  The app allows residents to view the current building notice, contact property management and building services, manage a list of neighbor contacts from their address book, and view the building’s location and track their own location with a fully functional Google map.

I was really attracted to the “Building and User” tab feature!  With few taps on the screen users can see exactly where they are, where the building is, how to get themselves home, and how to explore the neighbourhood!

The app also helps bridge the communication gap between suite owner and property manager.  I often get calls from clients looking for the “front desk number” and other building contacts.  There’s a tab that has all that info posted at your finger tips! Even investors who don’t physically live in the building can benefit from the app as notices from the building can be read right from your phone.

I visited Christopher’s site to learn more about the app because I think it’s a brillllllliant idea!  For $1000 (plus tax), MOBILE HOME™ can build your condo it’s very own app too!  It also mentions that versions of the app for the Android, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile platforms are in the works.

My only concern with the app is that everyone and anyone can download it.  Meaning any notices or communications meant for residents can be read by any user who has the app on their phone.  In the interest of full disclosure…I’m currently using a BlackBerry (though that might be changing soon) and haven’t physically tried the MOBILE HOME™ app.  If any readers have, please let me know your thoughts and experience by leaving a comment below!

In the mean time, check out some screenshots or download it for FREE from the AppStore!…hopefully more condo’s follow!

Have you ever wondered what happens to all the fancy furniture in condo sales centres?

Sometimes it’s re-used, sometimes it’s tossed…and on some rare occasions it sold at a bargain price!  On Saturday July 10th, 2010 from 10-2 all the left over furniture from the Freed showrooms will be put on sale.  One of Brad Lamb’s projects in King East had a similar sale a few months back.  I stopped by for that one and saw a ton of great furniture for crazy low prices!

I’m guessing this should be the same…or possibly even better!  The Freed sales centres are some of the best out there, so if you’re thinking of attending, SHOW UP EARLY!!!

…and if you need the condo before the furniture give me a call or send me an email.  I’d love to help!