The Height of Style, No Matter What the Height

By Barbara Lawlor

Is there anywhere in the world that offers a more wonderful choice of condominiums than the City of Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe? We really do shine when it comes to variety; there is something for everyone seeking the carefree condominium lifestyle, from four-storey boutique buildings to majestic towers with 50 floors and more.

Typically when people think of condos, high-rise buildings come to mind first. If that is your preference, you certainly have a beautiful array to choose from. A lot of the buyers we encounter at Baker Real estate Incorporated love the busy-ness of a high-rise, the dynamics of interacting with a lot of neighbours coming and going. They also appreciate the views from high floors, which are simply stunning.

The higher a condominium building, the more amenities can be included, and considering the luxury of today’s common areas, this is saying a lot. These buildings are also usually home to 24-hour concierge service, which adds convenience and a level of safety that suite owners appreciate.

We are also seeing an influx of boutique condominiums that inject a mid-rise component to our urban communities. Measuring in from four to 20 storeys or so, these buildings offer a great option for buyers who are moving from large homes and prefer a more intimate connectivity to the street. The transition to a mid-rise building is easier and more comfortable for them. In addition, many of the smaller condominiums have an assortment of amenities, so owners enjoy the best of both worlds.

I can think of many examples of both mid- and high-rise condos that fall into these categories. On the taller end in the Yonge-Eglinton area, E Condominiums includes 58- and 38-storey buildings, and 2221 Yonge is a 56-storey tower. INDX Condominiums will rise to 54 storeys at Bay and Adelaide; Karma Condominiums to 50 floors at Grenville Street, northwest of Yonge and College; and Yonge + Rich and 20 Lombard Condominiums in one 50-storey building at Richmond Street East and Victoria Street.

Noir Condos will rise to 49 storeys on Peter Street, between King and Adelaide; King Blue Condos to 44 and 48 storeys at the corner of King Street and Blue Jays Way; Monde Condominiums to 40 floors at 5 Lower Sherbourne Street on the city’s eastern waterfront; The Yorkville to 31 storeys at McMurrich Avenue and Davenport Road in Yorkville; Garrison Point 29 storeys on Ordnance Street near Strachan, just east of Liberty Village; and Rise  Condominiums to 25 storeys on the southeast corner of Bathurst Street and St. Clair Avenue West.

IQ Park Towers West Tower is a 24-storey residence on Zorra Street, near Islington Avenue and The Queensway in Etobicoke; The Carnaby is 20 storeys at Queen and Gladstone; Love Condos is 20 storeys on Bonis Avenue in Scarborough; and One Bloor will soar to 75 storeys on the southeast corner of Yonge and Bloor Streets. Of course, if David Mirvish gets approval for the 86-, 84- and 82-storey Frank Gehry-designed towers planned for the north side of King Street West between John Street and the Royal Alexandra Theatre, that community will become a tall icon on Toronto’s landscape.

On the more intimate end of the scale, look at the 14-storey Signature Condominium Collection in Downtown Markham; 13-storey Biyu at Emerald City Sheppard Avenue and Don Mills Road in North York; at 12 storeys, The Carlaw at Carlaw and Dundas Street East; Canary District Condominiums’ 11- and 8-storey buildings in the Front-Cherry Street area; 7-storey TWENTY Gladstone Condos at Queen and Gladstone. In Burlington, The Mod’rn and Link Condos + Towns are 4-storey residences.

These are just a few of the many gorgeous condominiums available across and beyond the GTA. No matter what the height, these buildings have a striking impact on their surroundings and our extraordinary, ever-changing skyline.

Barbara Lawlor is president of Baker Real Estate Incorporated and an in-demand columnist and speaker. A member of the Baker team since 1993, she oversees the marketing and sales of condominium developments in the GTA and overseas. Keep current with The Baker Blog at blog.bakerrealestate.com