8 Projects Energizing the Greater Toronto Area Market
Long the subject of click-bait headlines centred on unaffordability and supply shortages, Toronto’s housing market is legendary. Over the past year, unattainable detached home prices have shifted buyer’s attention to the condo market across the expansive Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and as a result, new development sales and starts have exploded.
Last month, the GTA experienced the second highest October ever for home sales, increasing the average yearly selling price by 19.3 per cent, bringing it to $1.16 million. These skyrocketing numbers aren’t new or exclusive to this past October — the GTA has seen a steep climb in both prices and demand throughout 2021 as we glide along the trajectory of exiting the COVID-19 pandemic that rocked real estate markets across the globe. As with other primary markets, similar influences are fuelling the condo boom in Toronto, especially at the top end. On the release of their recent 2021 Top-Tier Real Estate Fall Forecast, Don Kottick, president and chief executive officer of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada shares:
“Since the start of the pandemic, local luxury condo demand has been solid. From affluent baby boomers who are wanting to downsize and simplify from their larger homes, from buyers across all generations who moved outside of the city over the course of the pandemic but still want to keep a pied-à-terre downtown, from buyers looking for more affordable options than single-family homes, and from local and international investors who continue to see the financial opportunity in a city that is considered Canada’s business and economic epicentre.”
With such strong demand, developers are taking note and bringing a ton of fresh inventory and projects to market solidifying Toronto’s status as an ever growing world class city.
Following is a list of 8 exciting new development projects for sale in 2021.
One Deslisle
American “starchitect” and founder of Studio Gang, Jeanna Gang is bringing her first Canadian project to Toronto in the form of One Delisle, a residential condominium tower developed by Slate Asset Management and marketed and sold by RAD Marketing.
One Delisle will take on a futuristic approach to high-rise living, becoming an instant Toronto landmark. Located on the corner of Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue West in the Deer Park neighbourhood, One Delisle was designed by Gang to “fit the grid of the city at the bottom and transform to a rounded top that connects with the surrounding ravines and horizon.” This 47-floor tower will consist of a City, Sky, and Penthouse Collection, each offering a different view and range of amenities at the same level of unmatched luxury.
In a city known for limited outdoor space in residential floor plans, One Delisle will give residents something to boast about, with most residences offering not only balconies, but a terrace as well. Gang thoughtfully designed the tower to lean outward for sun-shaping and wind protection, maximizing balcony usage during Toronto’s cooler seasons. Though the customization options vary slightly throughout the collections, the interiors seamlessly connect through earth inspired tones including porcelain and engineered stone surfaces, extra-long, wide plank premium European engineered hardwood flooring, and European cabinetry.
Verge 2
341 units by RioCan Developments are set to revolutionize condominium living in Etobicoke through the introduction of new indoor and outdoor amenities to the area that provide residents with what they need at their fingertips. 1-minute from the Gardiner expressway and a 2-minute walk to multiple bus stops, Verge offers quick access to the necessities nearby while giving ease of access to the city beyond.
Phase 1 & 2 of Verge will make up their own ‘Verge Community’, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects to offer sprawling outdoor spaces. DesignAgency is incorporating warm tones into the interiors of Verge 2, inviting residents to utilize public and private spaces to not only socialize with the Verge community but to co-work within it as well.
Marketed and sold by Austin Birch, this modern addition will complete the Verge community while contributing to the greater modern suburb of Etobicoke.
9th & Main
Developed by Pemberton Group and marketed by Milborne Group and Montana Steele, 9th & Main will give owners the best of both worlds. Nestled in the community of Stouffville, 9th & Main provides maximum functionality met by the fabulousness of luxurious ambience. With future residents in mind, this project will feature premium appliances and spa inspired bathrooms, gifting residents with the opportunity to escape day-to-day life in the comfort of their own homes.
This collection of two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom + den apartments, and townhomes optimizes spacious floor plans to present a comfortable and convenient style of living, detailed with wide plank flooring, contemporary tiling, and smooth ceilings. These two connected residential buildings are designed by Graziani + Corazza Architects Inc. and bring a timeless addition to the nature-filled town of Stouffville.
Aqualuna
Aqualuna by Tridel will make the most of resident living experiences by maximizing water views and window space and providing elevated amenities. Aqualuna takes shape with the goal to embrace the outdoors and natural light, providing a tropical aesthetic anchored in the eastern edge of Bayside Toronto. Every home’s terrace is angled to face south-east or south-west, creating an exterior silhouette that allows residents to look “past” each other and onto the lake. Amenities located between the two buildings include a fitness centre, yoga studio, sauna, outdoor pool, terrace lounge, party room & lounge, private dining room, billiards and media lounge.
Aqualuna is the fourth and final opportunity for lakeside living in the Bayside Toronto Community, which is being reimagined by Hines, a master planned community builder. The structure, designed by 3XN Architects intends to benefit the urban environment and enhance the animation of the streets. Two lobbies, one in the North side and the other in the South, will welcome residents home long before they arrive in their unit and open space layouts and floor to ceiling windows make Aqualuna the perfect home for someone seeking the convenience of the city amongst the calmness of the water.
Leaside Common
As the first mixed-use condominium development at the new Bayview/Eglington LRT station, Leaside Common is a highly demanded residential opportunity with limited availability.
Designed by BDP Quadrangle, one of Canada’s leading architecture, design and urbanism practises, Leaside Common takes on the concept of a nest. Featuring a shared open space between the two attached buildings which will act as a community hub with co-working accommodations. Developed by Gairloch Developments in partnership with Harlo Capital, the exterior of the building will incorporate its surroundings of greenery and warm-toned brick, paired with modern glass touches to bring a subtle but contemporary addition to the community.
Conveniently home to some of the city’s top schools, the building will add an array of specialty stores and restaurants to the neighbourhood, leading Bill Gairdner, founder and president of Gairlock Developments to report Leaside Commons as “embracing the exciting changes that are coming” as “a building design that will hopefully stand the test of time”.
SkyTower at Pinnacle One Young
Pinnacle International is bringing the country’s tallest condominium tower to Toronto as the SkyTower. 95 storeys tall, this tower will be one of three that will make up the One Yonge master-planned community which will feature a one-of-a-kind location and lifestyle. A less common concept in Canada, hotel residences, Pinnacle’s 2,500 community residences will be complimented by 250 hotel rooms, 1.5M square feet of office space, 160,000 square feet of retail space, 50,000 square feet of community facilities and 80,000 square feet of resident and guest amenities.
Resident offerings go beyond SkyTower’s exterior, with luxurious interior features composed by Tannerhills Interior Design to provide experiential options with stylish touches. Owners at Skytower will have access to an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub and lounge areas, outdoor terrace, fitness centre, yoga room, party room, kids area, private dining room and study room.
89 Avenue
Developed by Armour Heights Developments, 89 Avenue’s interiors are a remarkable representation of Gluckstein design, bringing a “classic Park Avenue residence” style to Yorkville, Ontario. “Great design starts at street level” says Richard Wengle of Richard Wengle Architect Inc. regarding the Manhattan-inspired limestone facade. Surrounded by luxury retail, art hubs and a variety of locally renowned restaurants, these homes will be a standout amongst the intimate sophistication that is Yorkville.
Intending to channel the Armour Heights sensibility into 89 Avenue, which focuses on the details and putting the finishes first, the building includes luxury features such as an automobile elevator, Japanese rooftop heating and cooling systems, green roof with irrigation system, enterphone system and emergency generator. Furthermore, the dedication to luxury carries seamlessly into the process of design allowing these Yorkville homes to be described as a “collaboration between the developer, the architect, the interior designer, and you”.
Marketed by McOuat Partnership, 89 Avenue is now under construction and will soon be home to those who value rarity in its truest form.
Highland Commons
Altree Developments is bringing an amenity rich condominium building consisting of 550 wellness-oriented homes spread across two towers and 3.05 acres of land to Scarborough. Not only will the surplus of amenities provide connectivity hubs for residents within, but the location will provide connections to the surrounding nature-filled environment and to the convenience of transportation as well. Highland Commons will offer studios and one to three bedroom options as well as ground-level beautiful loft-style homes, providing luxury living for as low as the high $200s with sales aiming to begin this winter.
Uniquely situated next to the Highland Creek river, homeowners will have the opportunity to feel removed from urban surroundings. The concept behind Highland Commons is to make it easier for residents to make the best lifestyle choices they can for themselves day-to-day, with activity options including an outdoor pool, basketball court, squash court, billiards room, and even life-sized chess board.
The exterior of Highland Commons combines a variety of materials and textures, meticulously chosen by Kohn Partnership Architects, to create a unified front. The same mixture of tones will be found in the interior, leveraging different woods, brick, and stones to provide humble luxury.
