Posts Tagged ‘condo’

Here are a few photos from inside the unit:

One of the first preconstruction projects I started promoting on SavelBlogs was 2 Gladstone by Streetcar Developments.  Sales started back in October of 2009  and to this day, I’m still getting emails from interested purchasers on it.  It was one of the few projects to launch in 09 and with only 54 units, it didn’t take long for them to sell. Fast forward to 2011 and 2 Gladstone is back on the blog!

In early 2010 they demolished the existing buildings and by early spring the had dug a hole large enough to pour the foundation. From there it’s been nothing but up as they’ve already surpassed ground level and have started on the second floor! Estimated move-in is scheduled for October 2011 and with only 7 more floors to go, they might just build this one on time!

It’s hard to get a good indication on what the first level looks like as most of it is covered up, but once cladding starts I’ll be back to take some more photos… In the mean time, click on the thumbnails below to see the progress thus far.

While out on Queen West I spotted a few other sites “ripe for development” which is great news if you missed your chance to buy at 2 Gladstone. If Queen West is calling you…call me (or send me and email) and I’ll help you call it home!

(try saying that 5 times fast)

If 2011 is the year of the Rabbit, then 2010 was the year of the “Shrinking Condo”!  The last quarter brought many new projects to the market and with it came the realization that our living space expectations are changing.  The condos of yesterday (think The Esplande or any of the units at Harbour Square) offered much larger layouts with a more spacious design.  Today the norm is glass clad buildings to give the illusion of more space paired with the ever popular “open concept” design.  Now we’re seeing 2 bedrooms being built in the same size as former one beds. The demand for a great downtown location is at an all time high, and with the price of land also increasing, developers are building as many units as they can in much smaller sizes! This is the new reality of realty, and to argue or complain about the shift is a much of a waste of time as the Toronto Land Transfer tax is to our pockets!

I’ve noticed a lot of new projects incorporating a “study” into their spaces instead of a den. Studies don’t have much of a dedicated space and are often looked at as a waste! It’s similar to the trend of cutting out the second bedroom and making it a den. I’ve walked into a countless number of resale units that feature this awkward space with no real sense of definition.  I don’t blame the sellers for not making better use as many condo showrooms don’t use the “study” layouts in their display.  A few simple (and cost effective) changes is all that’s needed to bring the space back to life!

During the holidays I was at my colleague, Chris Molders place over at Minto Skyy.  He had purchased a one bedroom and study layout a few years back and recently took possession of it. Instead of leaving the space empty, he transformed it into something both functional and aesthetically pleasing!

A few strips of wallpaper was all that was needed to give the study a separation from the rest of the unit. Read the rest of this entry »

Itttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt’s Teeeeeeeeeeeeeee Shirtttttttttt Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime!  Although the cab’s aren’t here, the TTC is!  Show the love you have for your hood by way of these super cool TTC station tees.  They’re called “Where Are You, Toronto?” and essentially answer that very question by wearing one!  They come in a variety of styles: tees, v-neck tees, women’s tees, long-sleeve tees, hoodies, and kids/toddler/infant wear and encompass the entire subway/LRT map!

They make the perfect gift for the Toronto urbanite (or Realtor hint hint wink wink) on your list…and they’re pretty affordable!  You can order your own tee here or follow @torontowhere on twitter for the latest!

If you need a condo near a station…give me a call or send me and email, I’d love to help!

Contrary to what HST stands for…there seems to be nothing harmonious about the tax! Kerry Gold, a writer for MSN money and stationed in BC recently ran a story on how the effects of the tax vary from Province to Province.  I was asked for my experience on how things are handled in Toronto (with regards to pre-construction)! Look for a further post this week elaborating on how taxes are handled in Ontario!

By Kerry Gold, September 28, 2010

It’s not like a couple of years ago, when it was a sellers’ market and the very idea of incentives was like a quaint notion from another era.

With the introduction of the HST in B.C. and Ontario on July 1, developers have had to get savvy when it comes to marketing their product. In Ontario, they started adjusting prices to absorb the new tax a year before it was introduced, which meant buyers hardly felt the pinch. Also in Ontario, developers have made it standard policy to include the new tax in their selling price. In B.C., the HST is just starting to become included in the cost of new homes, rather than passing it along to the buyer. It’s just one of the ways that developers are sucking up the cost of doing business in a tougher market. In some cases, it means a new house is priced cheaper than a resale house.

Looking for a loft? In a boutique style building? In a transitioning area…I may have just the right thing for you – 707 Lofts by Enrox is looking like the next “soft loft” to launch in Toronto!

The development has been in the works for a few years now, but had yet to finalize due to approvals from the city. Initially the lofts were going to be 8 stories tall. After several meetings with area residents, the project was scaled back to 5.

I was lucky enough get some “insider info” on the areas developments thanks to my grandparents living half a block away. On a recent visit to their house, I discovered that the construction wall has gone up over the existing properties.  Check out the photos below.  Click on the thumbnails for a larger image!

Not much is known above and beyond these pictures.  The developers website is up but doesn’t have any info on finishes or prices.  I do like the initial rendering and how it fits with the area with the red brick and glass.  Units fronting on Dovercourt should get a lot of natural light through the over-sized windows.

The site is located half a block south of Bloor on the West side, next to The Church Lofts.  Send me an email or give me a call if you’d like to be notified when 707 Lofts launch!

One King West on the corner of King and Yonge sits the tallest evenidence of Harry Stinsons passion, vision, and non stop ambition!  At 51 stories, One King slices through the sky line as one of the thinnest condos in North America!