Posts Tagged ‘530 St. Clair’

Things are looking “up” at the 530 St. Clair construction site!  Over the past few months demolition, digging and foundation has been underway.  On a recent drive through the area I noticed a crane has now been erected as well.  This is exciting news for purchasers at 530! Majority of the units have sold at 530 St. Clair but there are still 4 different layouts available. The latest literature I read from the sales centre had fall 2012 as the anticipated time of occupancy…if progress continues at this pace, I think it’s very likely that they’ll be right on time!

If you’re looking for something to move into a bit later than 2012 and would like to still be in the area…don’t forget to read up on The Rushton Residences, which will be built a few blocks west!

Looking for the 530 St. Clair sales centre? Try across the street!  The old sales centre on the North side of St. Clair has closed down to allow for demolition of the remaining structures.  The new sales centre is now located in the old TD Canada Trust building on the South side of St. Clair (521 St. Clair Ave West, next to Shoppers Drug Mart).

It’s been a little less than a year since sales started at 530 and already construction is starting to begin!  On my last visit to the sales centre, several units were still available for those wanting live at 530. The building is scheduled to be built by Fall 2012.  For those looking to move it a bit sooner, 500 St. Clair is fully complete and selling on the resale market! Whether your plans are long term or short, if you’d like to live in either of these great condos…give me a call or send me an email, I’d love to help!

A few posts back, I wrote about how much I liked the 500 and 530 St. Clair project… now that a Starbucks opened up on the main level of 500, add another reason!  I actually don’t drink coffee (per-say) but I do love their green tea and the occasional moca-frappucino!

So why is a Starbucks such a big deal??? After all, it’s just another coffee shop right?  Well yes, but Starbucks doesn’t just open a place on any corner.  It’s not very often you see a Starbucks close down, and I believe it’s because of all the research and surveying that’s done before one actually opens. I was prepared to write a whole post on the “Starbuck Effect” and the type of positive changes that one brings to an area….BUT another blogger beat me too it!  Instead of rewriting what he’s already written, I encourage you to check out David Fleming’s post entitled “The Starbucks Effect“ He pretty much sums up all the areas that have benefitted from having the popular coffee shop open up in their area!

I firmly believe that the strip of St. Clair (From Bathurst to Oakwood) will be seeing positive changes in the coming years.  It already has streetcar AND subway access, not to mention the massive Loblaw’s for shopping, and Cedervale Park for leisure.  With big name chains like Starbucks moving in, it’s only a matter of time before others set up shop!  Local residential hot spot “Ferro” also looked like it was expanding its space in anticipation for more business along the strip!

Property values aside, there is another reason why this particular store deserves attention.  It’s the first (at least to my knowledge) Starbucks in Toronto that was built to LEED standards!   LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, and a system that more and more Toronto developers trying to incorporate into their buildings.  Though ordering your moca-froca-whatever from a LEED Certifies Starbucks won’t taste and different than any other Starbucks… It is good to see the massive coffee chain reducing their environmental footprint through energy and water conservation, recycling and green construction.

Drop in to the new Starbucks; it has a very loft-like look to it with a decent combination of wood and concrete finishes!

500 and 530 St. Clair, are in my opinion, one of the most underrated projects in the City!! The development is in the process of transforming the Bathurst and St. Clair corner with two well-thought-out condo towers. One of the reasons I so heavily favour it is because it’s perfectly placed location. Once complete, the towers will positioned between several highly desirable neighbourhoods, including Cedarville – Humewood, Forest Hill, Casa Loma and Hillcrest all offering unique characteristics for its residents.

Topographically speaking, the condo’s placement at the top of Bathurst allows for some of the most comprehensive views I’ve ever seen of the Toronto skyline. The photo below was taken from the 16th floor of 500 St. Clair, and perfectly depicts what I mean!

Lake views can be had to the South West!

Of course it takes more than views to make a great a building, and here’s where the project really shines! I had the opportunity to accompany a client during their “pre delivery inspection” last week. The layout was well planned, and had ample room for a beautiful kitchen with tons of storage space. I love to eat, so naturally the kitchen is something I hold very dear to my heart. Both my client and I both commented on how it was very similar in size to something found in a residential house (a huuuge plus, based on some of the smaller kitchens I’ve seen in my time). The stainless steel appliances complemented the space and completed the picture perfect image one should expect in a condo!

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