Posts Tagged ‘luxury’

Circle your calendar…October 3^rd and 4^th are the official launch dates of 2 Gladstone, the newest loft to launch on Queen St West.  I’ve already reserved one of the first spots for the 3rd, with the possibility of holding a few more. If you want the best floor plan in the development, then this event is for you.

The intimate loft will contain only 54 units and will raise 8 stories above Queen and Gladstone.  It looks like a perfect fit with other area hotspots such as the Gladstone Hotel, Stones Place, Cadillac Lounge and The Drake Hotel.  With TTC at your door steps and Price Chopper seconds away, 2 Gladstone is the ideal location for downtown living.

Prices, floor plans and deposit structures will all be unveiled at the launch, but from what I gather, prices will start at $229,000 for 549 square feet.  That works out to roughly $420 per square foot.  The exclusivity of only 54 units and being steps away from the much sought after Queen St West should make it a fast seller.  Email or call if you’d like to join me at the event!

Context just announced new floor plans at their Market Wharf condo! I had a few details about this in the past, but it looks like its now official. From what I gather, the two bedroom units weren’t selling as well as planned so they’ve redesigned the layouts to allow for more spacious 1 bedrooms. I’ve got more info on the project here but the above ad sums up the latest promo. 

I also got word that a flag ship Shoppers Drug Mart will be on the main level of the Condo.  With the St. Lawrence Market a stones throw away, I wonder how much higher their walkscore will go? I really like their marketing materials, and I hope the condo design and interior follows the same creativity!  If you’d like floor plans or price list (deposit structures etc) send me an email…i’d love to help!

Ps. This wasn’t the vip announcement I was referring to in the previous post…that’s still on the way!

August, which is typically a slow month for the real estate world, is keeping in line with the previous summer months!!  The Toronto Real Estate Board is reporting 8,035 sales, up 27% per cent from August 2008. The average price for August transactions was $387,921 – up by six per cent compared to the same month last year.  Another trend that’s repeated itself is the low inventory.  Down 11% to 10,632 units available for sale, it’s been a tough month for many buyers.  If you’d like a copy of the Report, send me an email…i’d love to help!

September is the start of the Fall market and i anticipate to be blogging similar trends at the end of it!  Check back tomorrow for a super exclusive VIP condo event…here’s a hint: if you like the Toronto International Film Festival,  and in the market for a condo, you’re gonna love the announcement!

So last weekend I had a email enquiry asking for prices at the Giraffe Condo development.  The events that followed went something like this:
12:04- called sales centre
12:07- was pleased to hear they released new floor plans AND prices
12:32- received email with floorplans and prices
12:57- wrote blog post to share with wonderful readers
1:03- forgot to push “publish”…sadly this post never saw the light of day.  Until now that is…

With out any further delay here are the prices and floor plans for the remaining 1 and 2 bed units at Tas DesignBuilds Giraffe Condominiums:

1 bedroom G7-from $218000,on the 9th floor. http://www.giraffeliving.com/imageData/floorplans/pdfs/g7.pdf
G9 (2 remaining from $217000, on the 8th floor) http://www.giraffeliving.com/imageData/floorplans/pdfs/g9.pdf
G21 from $273000 (on 7th floor) http://www.giraffeliving.com/imageData/floorplans/pdfs/g21.pdf
G28 from $303000 on lower floors (3rd 4th floor) http://www.giraffeliving.com/imageData/floorplans/pdfs/g28.pdf
G31 from $329000 on the 8th floor up http://www.giraffeliving.com/imageData/floorplans/pdfs/g31.pdf
G35 from $358000 on the 8th floor http://www.giraffeliving.com/imageData/floorplans/pdfs/g35.pdf
G36 from $369000 on the 10th floor http://www.giraffeliving.com/imageData/floorplans/pdfs/g36.pdf

Sadly, the dreams of an 80 story tower and Yonge at Bloor are pretty much done…or at least the dream of it being built by Bazis is.  Several of my sources have informed me that the land has been sold to an affiliate of Great Gulf Homes.  The price paid for the land is unknown and probably won’t be disclosed until the deal closes in mid September.  Future plans are also anyones guess.  I’ve heard everything from keeping the design (which i HIGHLY doubt) to scraping the whole thing and rebuilding a new concept all together (which more than likely will happen).  You can check out the latest story from the Globe and Mail here.

I’ve been by the Crystal Blue project (Bazis’ current development) and was really pleased with how the outside facade is coming along. Looks like that’s all we’ll be seeing  in Yonge and Bloor area by Bazis. I just hope the condo gods have greater plans for this corner and that whatever is built, truly pushes the envelope.

Buh bye “Canada’s Tallest Residential Building.” Hello “SomethingElse Towers.”  Follow the rest of the 1Bloor story here

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The other day I was doing my nightly ritual (Starbucks Frappuccino and exploring the city) in the Uptown area when I passed by the Petroff Art Gallery.  I usually stop in front as they always have fascinating displays.  But this one REALLLLY caught my eye.  It was the perfect mix of ”forgotten factories” and “modern art.” From July 14th to September 6,2009 you too can view (and purchase) Heather Kocsis’ “New York Collection” at the Pertroff Art Gallery.

I swear it was love at first sight when I saw the detail and time put into each piece.  Heather doesn’t just paint a picture…she recreates an era.  Her pieces are of older buildings but the delivery of the message is in a very modern way.  

To quote her site “using reclaimed, weathered plywood to construct three dimensional representations of industrial buildings, Heather layers the pieces similarly to the way she would have constructed a plate to be rolled through a press”  Although I’ve included photos below (click the thumbnail to view a bigger version),  words and even images don’t do her work justice so check out the video above to get the full effects of her masterpieces. 

If your in the area do stop by and check out these one of a kind pieces.  And heck, purchase one as well (they’re moving fast, on recording the video I noticed a few pieces sold).  They make the perfect addition to any urban art lovers collection…or better yet, the perfect gift for that special loft owner in your life!! Oh and if you like the song on my video you can download it here

Socrates once said ”All I know is that I know nothing.”… and with the latest media reports on the fate of 1 Bloor, the same can be said.  I’m sure by now you’re all aware of the drama surrounding the development of the tower, but just in case your not you can read up on it here.

I nearly fell of my chair when I heard Chris Eby from the CTV News Hour at 6 report that “a last second deal was reached and that eventually 1 Bloor East will rise out of this ruble.”  Apparently a deal was reached and a 3rd party has come on board and to help repay the land loan.  You can view the clip here http://watch.ctv.ca/news/clip204856#clip204856.

Fast forward to 7:21 pm and we have an article published by The Toronto Star’s Tony Wong where a statement is given from Bazis International stating: “A well established Toronto developer has entered into a binding agreement with Bazis International for the One Bloor property with closing in mid-September.”  Of course the new partner isn’t mentioned nore is an actual date in September given for when more information will be known.  Bazis puts it like this ” Due to the confidentiality agreement we cannot comment at this time” .

The latest from the press (as of 10:27pm)  is The National Posts Giuseppe Valiante article titled “Work on One Bloor to continue after loan deal”  What isn’t known is if the original plans the buyers bought into back in 07 will ever emerge?

Although, the one thing I do know for sure is… someone forgot to pay the rent at the 1 Bloor Sales Centre!!