There are several standout features of this project that make it a winner. The most obvious one being its prime location right at Yonge and The Esplanade. (Do not underestimate the power of location when choosing your first investment condo!) However, the two ‘killer’ features of the building are the PATH connection, and the 70′ rooftop infinity pool with lake views (not a typo-seventy feet long).

Being directly connected to the PATH in this location gives you underground access to several subway stations and hundreds of shops. If you have not been in the PATH in the financial district lately I encourage you to check it out. The retail and restaurants that you find there are trending more and more towards the ‘high end’. Imagine going to work every day in the winter and never bringing a coat!

The 70′ infinity pool looks like it will be incredible. I don’t know if there is a longer infinity pool existing or planned for any condo building downtown (someone let me know if there is). This kind of feature was unheard of in Toronto condos a few years ago, but developers like Cityzen are really starting to push the limits of what is to be expected in a mid-range condo.

It’s worth noting that the smallest suites in this building are 531 sq ft! What a contrast from most of these downtown towers that are packing their buildings with sub 500 sq ft units resulting in buildings where the majority of suites will be owned by investors. It may sound counter intuitive, but as an investor, sometimes you WANT to buy into a building where there are as few other investors as possible.  Why? Less competition for rental units, and a better maintained and cared for building.

Standard suite finishes are well above average, and prices are starting below $600 per square foot (resale units at Cityzen’s completed “London” building are selling in the $575 PSF range today). Deposit structure is very cash-friendly, with only 15% over 365 days +5% at occupancy. For floor plans and pricing for Backstage, please contact me.

Backstage is Toronto’s most dramatic condominium lifestyle experience, located against the vibrant backdrop of The Esplanade just west of the St. Lawrence Market at Yonge Street. Live just minutes from the financial district and all the action at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the Air Canada Centre, and Rogers Centre. Spend quality time with friends at the many exciting bars, bistros and nightclubs in the entertainment district. Backstage, a condominium address where you are both the performer and the audience. Welcome home.

Building Features

• 36 Storey, glass point tower with sleek, slender lines of steel and shimmering glass inspired by architect Page + Steele
• Upscale urban interiors designed by Munge Leung, and landscaping by the internationally recognized Claude Cormier
• Panoramic views of downtown Toronto and Lake Ontario
• Candidate for LEED certification
• Future connection to the PATH concourse running throughout the downtown core
• Amenities include rooftop garden with a 70 foot infinity pool and lake view
• Uniformed 24hr concierge

Suites Features

• Soaring 9 and 10 foot, smooth ceilings, as per plan
• Contemporary kitchen cabinetry with extended height uppers and under valance lighting
• Granite kitchen counter tops with under mount sink and ceramic back splash
• Bosch appliances include cook top stove, built-in oven, built-in dishwasher, built-in microwave/hood fan, stacked front load washer and dryer
• Fisher Paykel refrigerator and bottom mount freezer
• Multi-plant, engineered hardwood flooring in entry, kitchen, living area, dining area, den, and bedrooms
• Bathrooms include floating vanity cabinets with slab marble counter tops
• Ensuite bathroom floors offer choice of marble, porcelain, or over sized ceramic tile while main bathrooms include choice of porcelain or over sized ceramic tile
• Thermally isolated Low E, energy efficient, double glazed windows

*All details subject to change without notice and as per plan. See builder for details

Welcome to your online guide to “The Best Penthouse Suites in Toronto“. In this installment I will be profiling the penthouse suite at The Residences At The Ritz-Carlton.

Author’s note: This blog post was originally published in 2008. Hence, some of this information may be out of date. For the most up-to-date information regarding the best penthouse suites in Toronto, please contact me.

Take one quick look through the Ritz-Carlton’s marketing materials, either on the developer’s website, or in their print materials, and you quickly realize what type of clientele they are trying to attract. Only the best of the best, the most successful, the private jet and private yacht kind of buyer.

Ritz-Carlton to many is synonymous with 5-star hotel luxury living. The brand has been around for over 80 years, so they certainly have the history to back up their reputation. Interesting that they are billing every suite in the building as a ‘penthouse suite’-they are committed to upholding their ultra luxury brand

The true penthouse at the Ritz-Carlton has been sold, reportedly to an international buyer. At the time it was marketed as Toronto’s largest penthouse at just under 11,000 square feet. This has recently been eclipsed by the penthouse at College Park: Aura.  Selling price was not released, but initially it was reported to be priced at $11 million.

Developer: Graywood Developments and Cadillac Fairview
Penthouse: 11000 square feet, 52nd floor. Has been sold.
Sub-Penthouse: Available on the 51st floor. Half the floor, $9.065M for 6005 sq ft. (about $1509 per square foot) Also available are sub-sub-penthouses for $1.5M – $3.8M (1513 sq ft – 3475 sq ft. $990 – $1093 per square foot)
Key Features: 5-star hotel amenities. 2 parking spaces included with sub-penthouses. Miele and sub-zero appliances. 12′ ceilings in the sub-penthouse suites. Connected to the PATH network supposedly is planned which would also mean direct subway access.
Notes: Internationally recognized luxury brand.
Occupancy: 2009
Smallest suite is 1400 sq ft.- Mostly end-users, very few ‘investors/flippers’.
Potential Negatives: 79 cents per square foot maintenance fees. No enclosed parking garages available. Location (Wellington and Simcoe) is close to financial district and theatre district, but similar to Shangri-La, it is located in an area that is very quiet after 6pm.

For more information on the Residences of the Ritz-Carlton, please contact me.

Downloads:

• The “Valencia” Floor plan – 51st floor sub penthouse, 6005 square feet, $9.065M
• Price Sheet for Ritz Carlton including sub-penthouses

The Best Penthouse in Toronto Series:

• College Park Aura Penthouse
• Four Seasons Yorkville West Penthouse
• Shangri-La Penthouse
• 1 Bloor Penthouse

Welcome to your online guide to “The Best Penthouse Suites in Toronto“. In this installment I will be profiling the penthouse suites at Shangri-La.

Author’s note: This blog post was originally published in 2008. Hence, some of this information may be out of date. For the most up-to-date information regarding the best penthouse suites in Toronto, please contact me.

The term “Shangri-La” refers to paradise on earth, and that is exactly what the ultra-luxury hotel/condo development of the same name is trying to create at Adelaide and University in downtown Toronto.

There are two penthouse suite units at Shangri-La and they occupy the 64th and 65th floors of the building. These two-storey penthouses are unique to the ultra-luxury penthouse market in Toronto and wil provide the buyer with something truly spectacular. 6700 square feet of sprawling luxury priced at about $12.5 million.

Construction at Shangri-La is well underway with sales beginning well over a year ago now.   At 65 storeys it will not be the tallest condo in Toronto, but it will likely be in the top 3 along with 1 Bloor and Aura. Below are the details on this unit as well as the “Signature Suites” which are equivalent to lower-penthouses in this project.

Developer Westbank and Peterson Group (lesser known in Toronto, but very active developer in Vancouver including Shangri-La Vancouver)
Penthouse: 2 available. 2-storey units, each one composing one-half of the top-2 floors of the building (floors 64+65). $12.5485M each. 6730 sq ft. North/East/West exposures or South/East/West exposures.
Sub-Penthouse: Called the “Signature Suites”. They are not true sub-penthouses based on their location in the building, but they are the next largest suites in the building, located on the 58th and 60th floors. They are 2-storey units also, priced at $6.4555M or $6.2455M with about 4430 sq ft
Key Features: unique, 2-storey designs with living rooms open to above creating a dramatic 22′ high ceiling with 22′ high windows in the living rooms. Hotel amenities available for residents, Miele and Sub-zero appliances, custom closet organization systems. Kitchens by Boffi. Private, enclosed parking spots available.
Notes -Developer wants the building to be connected to the PATH network and the subway, however, city has not confirmed that this will happen.
-’Shangri-La’ brand is lesser known in North America but is very well respected around the world
-Occupancy: Summer 2011
Potential Negatives: Location (Adelaide + University) not in the ‘centre of the action’, although it is steps to the financial district and a short walk to the entertainment district and Queen Street West. Smallest suites available are 800 sq ft – some investor units in the building, but not many. Penthouse floor is not exclusive-two units on the top floor.

For more information on the Shangri-La Penthouse Suites, please contact me.

Downloads:

• Penthouse Suite “02″ Floor Plan
• Signature Suite example Floor Plan

Links:

• Official Developer’s website
• Official site for the Shangri-La hotel
• Construction update site

The Best Penthouse in Toronto Series:

• College Park Aura Penthouse
• Four Seasons Yorkville West Penthouse
• 1 Bloor Penthouse
• The Residences of the Ritz Carlton Penthouse

Welcome to your online guide to “The Best Penthouse Suites in Toronto“. In this installment I will be profiling the penthouse suites at College Park III: Aura.

Author’s note: This blog post was originally published in 2008. Hence, some of this information may be out of date. For the most up-to-date information regarding the best penthouse suites in Toronto, please contact me.

College Park Aura was one of the hottest new condominium launches ever in Toronto. The 75-storey building sold out so quickly when it launched back in March of 2008 that Canderel Stoneridge could probably have sold two of these mega-towers if it had the land to do so.

Now this month finally comes the release of the penthouse suites. At Aura, the ‘lower’ penthouses will occupy the 72-74 floors, with 4 units per floor, and the entire 75th floor will be one gigantic unit-probably the largest penthouse in the city at 12,000 square feet.

Developer: Canderel Stoneridge. One of the most respected builders in the city. Already built and completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 of College Park and the results are very good. Phase 3 will take it up a notch and the Penthouses are going to be yet another level still.
Penthouse Pricing: $17.3M for 12,000 sq ft. Entire 75th floor. Approximately $1440 per square foot
Sub-Penthouse Pricing: $3.36M for 3055 sq ft (largest sub-penthouse suite), 4 suites per floor (2200-3000 sq ft), floors 72-74. Starting prices per square foot for the sub-penthouses range from $900-1100 per square foot.
Key Features: Individual direct elevator access to Penthouse, 12′ ceilings, Miele and Sub-zero appliances
Notes: The penthouse suites at College Park 1&2 are available for private tours to prospective buyers of the Aura penthouses-contact me for more information.
-6 parking spots are included in the purchase price of the Penthouse
-The building will be connected to the subway and the PATH network via a future expansion from Dundas to Gerrard
-There are dozens of shops and restaurants located in the College Park complex including a 24 Hour Dominion grocery store
-Occupancy: Spring 2012

Potential Negatives: Many small units in the building-as small as 532 sq ft, high % of investors who purchased in the building. Also, it could be argued that the location of the building is not in a prime neighbourhood.

Latest News: There is the possibility that 10 more floors will be added to Aura, bringing the total up to 85 storeys and if this happens, the penthouse suites would all be increased in height by 10 levels at no extra charge to the purchasers.

Links & Downloads:

• Click here to download the College Park 3: Aura penthouse floor plans and features.
• To see the floor plans for the sub-penthouses, visit the developer’s official website.

For more information, or if you would like to arrange for a private tour of the already completed penthouse suites at College Park Phases 1&2, please contact me.

The Best Penthouse in Toronto Series:

• Four Seasons Yorkville Penthouse
• Shangri-La Penthouse
• The Residences of the Ritz Carlton Penthouse
• 1 Bloor Penthouse

Contact me now to register for your chance to purchase at Gibson Square at an upcoming VIP sales event.

Menkes already has a great track record in the Yonge and Sheppard corridor with Luxe Condominiums (North York City Centre) and Savvy Condominiums (Yonge and Sheppard). Menkes is one of the largest developers and builders in the city with projects all over the GTA.

Gibson Square will feature two high-rise towers with direct subway access from the lobby and connection to North York City Centre. More details coming soon including floor plans and pricing. Please contact me for the latest information and for your chance to buy at Gibson Square Condos.

Oct 23 Update: VIP sales event on now. Floor plans and pricing for Gibson Square now available. Contact me for details.

Project Details:

Location: Yonge & Park Home
Builder: Menkes
Building Size: Two 42 storey towers – 441 units total
Occupancy: October 2012
Parking: 1 spot Included in the purchase price (except Unit 10 – “Stratos”)
Maintenance Fees: Approx $0.44 per/sq.ft + hydro
Deposit Structure: 5% with offer | 5% in 90 days | 5% in 180 days | 10% on occupancy
Lockers: $3000 (tentative)
Suite Features: Granite kitchen countertop, mosaic tile backsplash, plank laminate flooring in kitchen/breakfast area, living/dining room, den and bedroom(s), choice of porcelain or ceramic floor tiles in foyer, kitchen/breakfast area and bathroom(s), 6 quality brand name appliances and vertical blinds. 8′ Ceilings on units 28th floor and lower. 9′ ceilings on floors 29 and above.
Building Amenities: 24 hour Concierge, 20,000 sq. ft. Gibson Club features a State-of-the-Art Recreation Centre including an Indoor Swimming Pool with access to an Outdoor Terrace, Weight & Cardio area, Yoga & Aerobics area, His and Hers saunas and change rooms, 2 Party Rooms featuring catering kitchen & bar with walk-out to a landscaped rooftop garden, Theatre Room, Games Room, Mah Jong and Bridge Room and 2 Guest suites. Direct Subway Access.

Hullmark Centre by Tridel will soon be transforming the cityscape at Yonge and Sheppard in North York. Contact me now to register for your chance to purchase a suite in this project before the public launch.

The project will feature a dynamic mix of retail, commercial and residential use that will be unique to Toronto. The concept is almost like a minature Yonge-Dundas Square, or call it Yonge-Sheppard Square.

Certainly the Yonge and Sheppard corridor has absolutely taken off in recent years and with the launch of mega towers like Hullmark and Emerald Park, uptown has become a sort of ‘new downtown’. There are serious concerns growing over how the roads will handle all these thousands of new residents, however, with both Emerald Park and Hullmark featuring direct subway access, this will certainly help alleviate the situation and encourage people to either leave the car at home, or not even own a car at all.

From Tridel’s marketing materials:

Hullmark Centre. A signature development at the corner of Yonge and Sheppard marked by a prestige office component, prime retail fronting onto a vibrant public plaza, and the two tallest condominium towers to grace the North York skyline. Served by direct indoor underground access to the Yonge and Sheppard subway station, this is the most important corner and address in the city. It is undeniably central.

Contact me to be the first to receive floor plans and pricing for Hullmark Centre.

Oct 11 update: Floor plans and pricing for the VIP Sales Event now available. Contact me now to get your hands on them right away!

Good news condo investors. I now have access to units at Emerald Park in advance of the upcoming agent’s only sales event in July. Please contact me now with what unit you are interested in.

Here is a sample of a few units I have available for purchase RIGHT NOW:

1) Unit 4107 – Penthouse suite (top floor of building-soon to be unit 4707 as they will be adding more floors), 1163 sq ft, 2 bed + den, 2 full baths including a spectactular master ensuite with double sinks and separate shower and tub, Contact me for price. North west corner unit.

2) Unit 3306, 778 sq ft, 2+den, Contact me for price west exposure.

3) unit 2904, 581 sq. ft, 1 bedroom, Contact me for price

All the above units are going to be in the East tower. (there will be an east and a west tower)

Let me know if you are interested in any of these units and if you would like to purchase a unit BEFORE the sales event in July.

The excitement is growing and this project is looking really good. More and more news stories are focused on the gap that is growing in real estate values between the suburbs and the city. With DIRECT SUBWAY ACCESS Emerald Park is sure to be a fantastic investment both now and in the years to come and more and more Canadians ditch the suburbs and move back in the city. Just yesterday there was another article on this subject in the New York Times.

From Bazi’s International, the developer behind 1 Bloor and Crystal Blu, Emerald Park is about to be launched at Yonge and Sheppard.  Contact me now for your chance to buy before the public and save thousands.

Stand out features include direct subway access, high-end Miele appliances, 9′ ceilings, and LEED certification. Amenities include indoor pool, roof top terrace, party rooms, and state of the art fitness and Yoga centre. Every suite will have a balcony and terrace suites will be available.

Prices from the $200s but most suites 700 sq. ft and above will be in the 3s and 4s. Price per square foot is in the $460-500 range which is good considering the direct subway access feature (excellent for resale).

This is probably the most highly anticipated development in the Yonge and Sheppard corridor this year. Please contact me now if you are interested as it will sell quickly and prices will go up accordingly. GET IN EARLY!

Links (Get on my email list for updates as more information is released):

Floor plans

Terrace suite floor plans

Prices (with information about deposit structure, maintenance fees, occupancy dates etc.)