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ICE 2 Launching This Month

The second tower of ICE Condominiums by Lanterra Developments and Cadillac Fairview is about to be launched. Sales at tower 1 started back in July 2008, and that tower is well over 80% sold out.

The development is part of the York Centre community which is located at York and Bremner. Lanterra and Cadillac Fairview are the developers behind the highly successful Residences of Maple Leaf Square which will be right across the street from ICE. Other Lanterra projects include: WaterParkCity, 22 Wellesley, One Bedford, Murano and Burano, and 18 Yonge street.

Wondering what all the buzz is about for this project? To begin, it is going to be big. Really BIG! The second tower is to be a 65-storey super-tower which would put it in the ultra-exclusive height category that currently only Aura, Trump Tower, Shangri-La, and the Ritz Carlton occupy after the recent death of 1 Bloor.

Also, it is to have a direct underground connection to the PATH system via Maple Leaf Square, the ACC and Union Station. Perks will include being able to leave your coat in your condo as you walk indoors to the 40,000 square foot Longo’s grocery store in the base of Maple Leaf Square, or catch a game or concert at the ACC.

Peter Clewes of architectsAlliance (One of Canada’s resident Starchitects) designed the building and judging by the renderings it will certainly stand out and has real potential to be that landmark building that investors and condo buyers are always looking to be a part of.

It goes without saying that suites will feature stone counters, hardwood floors, stainless steel European appliances, cutting edge design and finishes, and 9′ ceilings. These are not entry level, low-end condos. Prices are going to most likely be in the $600-$650 per square foot range at the launch phase.

Prices and floor plans for the upcoming VIP broker’s sales event should be released soon. If you are interested in buying a suite at ICE 2 prior to the public launch, please contact me.

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Giraffe Condos: Building Redesigned and Prices Lowered

Giraffe condos launched with significant fanfare and acclaim almost exactly 1 year ago. It was about one month later that the real estate market in Toronto all but collapsed. Sales at Giraffe were less than spectacular and like many Toronto developments, they had to react to what the market was telling them.

I’m pleased to announce that Giraffe has significantly lowered their prices across the board, introduced new suites, and kept nearly all the distinctives of the project in place that made it so appealing in the first place.

Prices are now starting as low as $360 per square foot. Prices have essentially been reduced as much as $50-60K for some units. 565 sq ft 1 bedrooms from $212,000, 612 sq ft 1+dens from $224,000, and 833 sq ft 2 bedrooms from just $302,000.

The major changes to the building are these:

• Eliminated the roof-top garden/patio area resulting in significant construction and maintenance savings
• Ceiling heights on lower half of building reduced to 8′ instead of 9′
• Depth of balconies reduced from 6′ to 5′ (but will still have gas lines on them)

Deposit structure is 15% in 180 days + 5% at occupancy (standard). Parking spots are $28K (very reasonable). Maintenance fees are $0.45/sq ft.

Giraffe is a LEED designed building by Teeple Architects.

All these changes have come about with little to no advertising on the part of the developer. Despite this, suites are selling fast with over 30 units sold in the past few weeks. Don’t wait for the mainstream media marketing hype (radio ads, newspaper ads etc) to tell you this is a great opportunity! This project is a great investment NOW. If you are thinking about buying at Giraffe, contact me today.

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Giraffe Condos: International Design Comes to Toronto

Coming soon from TAS DesignBuild to Dundas St W and Bloor W, Giraffe Condos.

Register with me now for you chance to purchase before the public at a VIP sales event.

Giraffe will be a 29-storey tower with 275 units and a unique architectural style that has potential to put it on the international map. The building will be designed to meet LEED standards, and will have many ‘green’ features including an 8000 sq ft roof top garden where residents will be able to grow their own vegetables!

Giraffe is kind of a strange name for a condo but this one is supposed to be unique and independent much like the animal it is named after. Very funky design for sure and I have a hunch that Torontonians will embrace the project in a big way. I can only hope that this will also encourage other developers to take chances and get creative with the architecture in their condo towers. Glass wall towers can be great, but we also need variety.

Giraffe Condos VIP event coming soon! Contact me for more info.

Oct 24 update: Now booking appointments for Preview Sales. Contact me for more info, floor plans and pricing.

Nov 3 update: Thinking about buying a unit at Giraffe condos?  Hire me as your Exclusive Buyer’s Agent.

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