This past weekend, my curiosity got the better of me as wandered around the River City neighbourhood …and in particular, Underpass Park!

I was killing some time in between appointments and trying to find away to snap some pictures of the Don River Park from atop the Adelaide E Bridge.  Sadly, I didn’t have much luck as Cole Haans aren’t the most practical shoes for fence jumping or bridge scaling. Although… I was successful in finding a nice little place to park for free (something that’s getting harder and harder in Toronto).  With my car tucked away, I had juuust enough time to snap a few photos of the changes under the bridge!

Construction started about 6 months ago on the dreary and dark space under the bridge. Once complete, Underpass Park will be the most extensive park to ever be built under an overpass in Canada. Already concrete has been poured, plants have been planted and jungle sets for the kids installed!

I was happy to see that some of the street art that was on the support coloumns of the bridge are still on site… in fact, I think it would be really cool if all of the columns were wrapped in colourful imagery.  Anything is better than boring concrete in my opinion!

In the few months that they’ve been working on it, it’s looking pretty close to the initial renderings (from WaterfrontToronto)! I’ll definitely be going back and taking more pics as progress continues on the park.

This is defintily one of the most exciting parts of town right now and located right next to the park is River City which just recently launched it’s second phase!  I have access to prices and floorplans…if you’d like more information, please fill out the form below, I’d be happy to help:

After spending a week in sunny Varadero,  the end of vacation and the start of work officially commenced with an update letter from the River City team!

The letter was sent out to all the purchasers and their Realtors in an effort to keep us up to date with progress on this changing part of Toronto.   To summarize the changes thus far:

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)

We finally got our first glimpse of what Tableau will look like!  On Thursday, brokers were invited to hear David Wex (of Urban Capital) speak on the unique characteristics that Tableau has planned for future residents!

The play on words of “Tableau”, (French for table) is apparent throughout the marketing of the project!   The features of the condo are broken down in 3 different parts of the Tableau…below, on and above! To add to my previous post of what the condo will offer:

BELOW THE TABLE –  will feature a combination of design powerhouses.  Starting with my favourite part of the project is Shayne Darks “Nova” piece (seen above) that will  shoot through the table and add a dynamic display to the condo.  Below the table will be Claude Cormiers mosaic tiled plaza that will give a “ying and yang” contrast with the green space his firm is also working on across the street from Tableau.  To whisk you to and from your unit will be 4 high speed elevators. The lobby will house a 18′ high marble clad wall on one side with a floor to ceiling windows over looking the public plaza. Residential and commercial lobbies will be designed by Cecconi Simone. The current site of Embassy Night club will be worked into the building…sort of.  The tower and table will sit on top of the existing building with the facade being worked into the design instead of demolished!  Below are a few photos of what the corner currently looks like:

ON THE TABLE  is where you’ll find Tableau’s amenities!  The 5th floor will have 3 private cabanas that residents can rent out for private use.  Each cabana will have a gas bbq, sink, fridge, prep area, dining area, sofas and lounge chairs.  This concept is the first of it’s kind in Toronto and was inspired by a similar idea David Wex saw in a New York loft development.  While hanging on the 5th floor, residents and guests will be able to see Shayne’s installation through the table! The 4th floor amenities below are connected by an open staircase that leads to a party room, lounge areas, fitness, games, yoga and film screening room along with a furnished guest suite!

ABOVE THE TABLE is where you’ll find the suites at Tableau!  We’re talking 9 foot SMOOTH ceilings (I hate popcorn ceilings with a passion), floor to ceiling windows,  Cecconi and Simone designed kitchens AND bathrooms!  The model suite is currently under construction, but i’ll be sure to have an updated post once it’s complete!  Check out more photos below for a better idea of what the building will look like!

What an exciting time to be growing up in the City…before are very eyes, many of the social districts and areas in downtown Toronto are changing!  Take for example, the “Club District”.   The tastes and styles of the party goers who once dominated the area have shifted and because of this many have flocked to different areas such as Queen and King West!  Although the partiers may have left…many of the 20th century warehouses still stand!

Enter: Tableau Condos!

The brains of Urban Capital (Think River City, St. Nicholas and Mondrian for the Ottawa readers), Malibu Investments (think Boutique Condos and LTD) and Alit Developments (think Murano and Water Park City) will be collaborating their experience and skills to transform the Peter and Richmond corner (117 Peter to be exact)!

Where should I start on why I like this project?… let’s say the bottom!

A tableau (French for table) will sit at the base of the building with the residential component above.  For me this is a welcoming change in design as most condos dedicate their base to a boring podium that tends to isolate the building from the environment around it.  The “table” will help preserve the facade of the current building (Embassy Night Club) and give a more airy feel to pedestrians at street level.  The warehouse facade will be worked into the space and will be home to ground level retail and over 25,000 square feet of office space on the two stories above!

Bursting through the Tableau will be vibrant green 90’ high art installation by Shane Dark called “Nova”.  Many may not recognize his name, but if you’ve passed by X Condo (at Jarvis and Charles) recently, you sure to have seen his work!

In total the development will be a 36 storey mixed use building with 415 residential suites and designed by Wallman Architects!  Residents will be welcomed by a 18’ high lobby designed by Cecconi Simone, with terrazzo floors and a marble-clad feature wall on one side, and floor-to-ceiling windows. (pictured below)

The amenities at Tableau will include: a Party Room, Show Kitchen, lounges, a Reading Room, Film Screening Room, Games Room, fully equipped Fitness Centre with yoga studio, a steam room, and Guest Suite.  For those looking to spend at bit more time outdoors there’s an exterior landscaped roof on the “table” that’s includes three private outdoor cabanas, each with gas BBQ, sink, fridge and prep area, dining area, sofas and lounge chairs, that can be rented for private use.

Suites will have approx 9′ smooth ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows with sliding doors to wraparound balconies, with kitchens designed by Cecconi Simone!

And now for the most important part of the project…price! They’ll be releasing roughly 60% of the units in advance to preconstruciton selling Realtors.  Sales will be handled in lottery format (so no lineups or fights like seen at the X2 event) meaning interested purchasers should contact their Realtor for a chance to submit a work sheet.  Prices start from $234,900 and go up to $499,900 for the initial release.  Price increases per floor range from $1,000-$2,000 per floor.  Units range from 405 sf for the Junior 1 beds to 855 sf for a 2 bed and study!

If you’re interested in living at Tableau please contact me for an appointment as soon as possible.  Starting Saturday, October 16, 2010 I’ll be able to submit worksheets and bring clients to see the model unit at the sales centre, but if you’d like to discuss your options before that date, feel free to call or email…I’d love to help! The deadline for worksheets is 5pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2010

There’s a new neighbour in town, and they go by the name of Concert Properties! Largely known in Vancouver, Concert Properties recently ventured East to downtown Toronto for the launch of their latest project: The Berczy!

The Berczy is a boutique collection of 161 city homes in a terraced 13-storey residential midrise within the heart of the historic St. Lawrence neighbourhood of Toronto.   Sales were very strong for The Berczy, resulting in most units selling out in less than a year!

Like any good neighbour,  Concert will be giving back to the community with a free pancake breakfest Saturday October 16th from 8-10 am at the Berczy Park!  Learn about the neighbourhood’s history and folklore from renowned local historian Bruce Bell as well as enjoy entertainment for the whole family.

If you haven’t visited the sales centre yet, I suggest you do so soon!  Construction is scheduled to start November 1st, leaving only a few weeks left (sales centre closing October 15th, 2010) to check out the two model units on display at their showroom.

If you’d like to live at the Berczy…Send me an email or give me a call, I’d love to help!

This weeks Photo Friday takes us 25 storeys above Toronto in the Lanterra built building know as Murano!  The Murano is made up of two towers (35 and 45 storeys respectively) that rise up from a two story podium along Bay St (north of College).  The developer was inspired by the “glass making” island off of Venice, aptly named: Murano! Architect Peter Clews definitely made the historic connection of island apparent with the fusion of glass cladding around both buildings!

The cladding allows for some of the most desirable sweeping views of the City. In the above picture (looking North East) you can see Casa and X condos emerging in the skyline! The North towers lobby is also quite significant with it’s two way fireplace, sitting area, library and travertine floors.  All of these elements are tied together by a beautiful blue and gold glass sculpture that greats residents and guests as the enter the building…just like the ones found in the art galleries of Venice.

I came up with the name “Business as Usual” for this photo because the breath taking views of Toronto are what I usually see on a daily basis!  If you’d like to buy a place with similar sights…give me a call or send me an email, I’d love to help!