Coming Soon to The Danforth: Carmelina Condos
Feb 16 update: Suite reservation requests for Carmelina being accepted now. Please contact me for floor plans and pricing
Carmelina Condos is a low-rise boutique condo coming soon to The Danforth, just west of Woodbine. The site that it will be built on has been literally a hole in the ground for almost a decade now since the building burned down. The developer is JFC properties, and although they have no development history (as far as I know),  they have done at least 2 things right: hired a top architecture firm to design the building (TACT), and hired a top sales firm to sell it (Milborne). This project could be a game-changer for the future of the Danforth if it is well received and once built, contributes positively to the area.
Spacing did an article on the project about a year ago that highlighted some of the challenges facing this project, namely, the constant struggle developers face to go ‘high’ on the Danforth, and the fact that the site fronts on a mixed use street (Danforth), but backs unto a residential neighbourhood (with access from Woodbine).
The banner on the site reads, “From $199,900” which I presume will be the starting price for a junior 1 bedroom suite, but we will have to wait for more details. If you are looking for an affordable condo on the subway line, minutes from downtown, and in a highly walkable neighbourhood, Carmelina could be an excellent opportunity. I am hopeful that the attention to detail on the exterior will be matched by quality finishes and features on the interior.
An interesting factoid about this part of the Danforth, there are no Starbucks between Jones and Victoria Park. This is a stretch of 4.4Km, which covers 6 subway stops. Now, usually the ‘Starbucks Factor’ when buying real estate assumes that the presence of a Starbucks in a given area means the area is likely a good one to live in with high average incomes. In this case though, the absence of a Starbucks in an area where the average home price is probably around $500K means there is a ‘Starbucks vacuum’, and once filled could signal a shift in the area dynamics. Bloor East Village? Upper Leslieville? This area has real potential to take off over the next few years.
If you are interested in buying a suite at Carmelina Condos, please contact me for more information. Please note I do not work with the developer and am not affiliated with the developer in any way. I am a buyer’s agent. To learn more about why it is essential to hire your own buyer’s agent when buying a pre-construction condo, go here.
