Coming Soon to the heart of the Financial District from Lifetime Developments and Centrecourt Developments: INDX Condos . Register now for floor plans and pricing and your opportunity to purchase a suite before the public opening.

The location of INDX doesn’t get any more central than this. A direct connection to the PATH network would give residents underground access to

• 6 subway stations
• Union Station
• The Bus Terminal at Bay and Dundas
• Hundreds of shops, restaurants, & eateries
• The Eaton Centre
• City Hall & Metro Hall
• The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
• Ryerson Business School
• The Air Canada Centre
• Roy Thompson Hall
• The Metro Convention Centre
• The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Royal York Hotel, 1 King West Hotel, Sheraton Centre, Hilton Hotel
• Many more…

Wow. When you break down this list and see what being connected to the PATH in this area gives you it’s really quite incredible.

The development team is the same team that shocked the condo industry when they basically sold out a 46 storey tower in a matter of weeks back in November with KARMA. Lifetime and Centrecourt are two companies that really ‘get it’ when it comes to giving condo investors what they are looking for: a high quality product in a great location that has a high potential for some serious ROI. Prices for INDX will likely be quite similar to that of Karma which averaged about $680 per square foot according to Realnet.

As proposed the project will be 53 storeys and 784 units. I suspect that if sales are successful they will apply for several more floors. Several years ago Harry Stinson was trying to build a 90-storey tower on this exact site before his project failed, investors lost thousands and he sort of went off on a self-imposed exile to Hamilton where he is attempting to build some condos. This site has been the subject of many rumors ever since but now that we have two bonafide developers sitting on it and ready to repeat the success of Karma Condos, this site will surely be home to hundreds of people in about 4 years time.

Contact me now for INDX Condos VIP Sales.

This condo is launching in 2012. Contact me for floor plans and pricing and your chance to buy before the public launch!

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

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.

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