J e n n i f e r f e b b r a r o

T oronto homebuy-ers are feeling the squeeze. With sky-rocketing prices,

more and more people look-ing to get on the housing ladder and those looking to downsize from family homes are turning to con-dos.

Urbanation Inc., a com-pany that tracks sales of To-ronto’s condo units, noted that 27, 217 units sold with-in the city in 2016, a 34 per cent increase from the pre-vious year. More buildings keep going up in order to keep pace with demand.

Here’s an overview of some of the upscale condos that are available.

THE DAVIESPerhaps one of the great-

est amenities a high price tag affords is privacy. David Hirsh, CEO of the Toronto-based Brandy Lanes Homes, says that a big advantage of the Rosedale-neighbour-hood’s boutique building is just that.

“With four principal ele-vators, buyers can be deliv-ered directly to their suite without ever having to meet their neighbours — if they don’t want to that is,” laughs Hirsh. Featuring 36 suites (including one he specific-ally designed for himself ) and 82 parking spots, The Davies promises conven-ience, exclusivity, and es-thetic charm.

The nine-storey prop-erty at 281 Avenue Road just north of Davenport still has a few units for sale in the 1,105 square feet to 2,900 square feet range ($1,170,000 to $4,250,000) and is currently in the pre-construction phase.

“For many people, it’s hard to downsize,” says Hirsh, who has since de-cided to put his custom-designed condo unit in the building back onto the mar-ket. “So we made sure no unit was smaller than 1,000 square feet — and could ac-commodate a dinner table of eight comfortably.”

One innovative design feature of the condo is its divided rooftop with quiet reading areas (facing the East ’s morning sun), a sundeck area with lounge chairs, a BBQ/ social area with outdoor furniture and a catering kitchen and wet bar.

“We have some of the best views of the city,” says Hirsh. “But we didn’t want it all to be a party space. So we made sure there were specific zones to be quiet, to read, and to just watch the

sunsets, which are incred-ible.”

Occupancy is expected for late 2018.

WESTWOOD GARDENS CONDOSOne advantage to a lux-

ury condo in Richmond Hill, such as Westwood Gardens, is that your dollar stretch-es further to afford more square footage.

Pricing for the 374-unit, two-tower structure begins at $750,000 for 1,000 square feet. “We’re building with a view to units that are large enough to support family living, with most of our units have two or more bed-rooms,” says Maurice Wager, president of Collecdev.

Set in an established neighbourhood with mature trees and residential hous-ing in the $8-million dollar range, Westwood Gardens proves an attractive option for those looking to down-size.

Des igned by K i rkor Architects and currently in the preconstruction phase, sustainability and environ-mental preservation were top of mind for Collecdev. Not only does the condo overlook the Richmond Hill Golf Club, but it’s investing in a parkland space just be-side it where they will build a greenhouse for residents.

“It will be something like a smaller version of To-ronto’s Allen Gardens,” says Wager. “But we also have in-stalled a number of energy efficient mechanisms to re-duce our building’s carbon footprint.” Westwood will have a geo-thermal system to save on heating and cool-ing costs.

Occupancy is expected for 2020.

321 DAVENPORT BOUTIQUE CONDOSFrom the people who

brought you the crazy-ex-clusive 36 Hazelton, comes 321 Davenport. Alterra’s 16-suite downtown Annex property showcases a four-storey glazed projection fol-lowing the curve of Daven-port Road.

Elegant in its exterior, select in its tenant list, the $1,600/ square foot prop-erty guarantees exclusivity.

“This is a small boutique setting where every suite is large, no less than 1,400 square feet,” says Robert Cooper, President of Alterra. “But we think Giannone Pet-ricone Associates, the archi-tects for the project — as well as the company behind the Terroni restaurants’ de-signs — did an amazing job.”

Cooper describes the building, which is currently in preconstruction, as be-

ing in a “premium Bedford neighbourhood”. It’s within easy walking distance to high-end shops such as Tif-fany, Chanel and Gucci.

However, amenities are minimal as might be ex-pected from a development with so few units. Other than a 24-hour concierge and valet parking, there’s just a small fitness room and a meeting room.

“What we love about this development is the neigh-bourhood it’s located in,” says Cooper. “I would de-scribe it as East Annex, Yor-kville area. But the houses in the traditional neigh-bourhood are some of the best-kept Victorian homes in the city.”

Alterra snagged resi-dential designer Wayne Swadron for the interiors. Large principal rooms, exotic wood, wide-panelled flooring, porcelain and mar-ble tiles are just some of the details that make these con-dos unique.

Occupancy is slated for 2020.

4 THE KINGSWAYAt the apex of Etobicoke’s

Kingsway and Bloor, North Drive’s eight-storey bou-tique condo 4 The Kingsway aspires to be a Beaux-Arts esthetic with a Brian Gluck-stein interior touch (yes, they were able to recruit the Toronto-based Canadian de-sign celebrity).

In addition to creating the Gluckstein Home Col-lection, Gluckstein has re-ceived numerous awards, including being named an international “top designer” by Andrew Martin’s Inter-ior Design Journal. His soft palette and traditional styl-ing brings an understated opulence to the structure — replete with structured crown moulding framing each room. Occupancy is ex-pected in early 2018.

Each of these condos rep-resents the upper echelon of the market. Money may not be able to buy happi-ness, but it can buy you one of these deluxe suites, which should be close enough.

Special to National Post

Downsize with a deluxe

Toronto condoBUILDINGS ERECTED TO

SATIATE GROWING DEMAND

Clockwise from top left: Davenport, Westwood Gardens, Kingsway, The Davies

nationalpost.com PH3NATIONAL POST, SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2017 P O S T H O M E S

$4,950

,000

mcdadi.ca/2239pCustom built. Gordon Woods. Approx 6,500 sqft.5+2 beds, 10 baths. Jatoba hardwood. 6 fireplaces.

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$2,850

,000

4+1 beds, 7 baths. Custom built. Hardwood. Gour-met kitchen. Finished basement w/ walkout.

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$2,755

,000

5 bed, 7 bath. Gourmet kitchen w/ servery, eat in area,island, + w/o to terrace. Gas fireplace. In-ground pool.

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$3,198

,000

4 beds, 5 baths. Backs the Credit River/Ravine. Gour-met kitchen. Rebuilt. All baths feature heated floors.

mcdadi.ca/46f

$1,998

,000

4 beds, 5 baths. Open concept. Hardwood. Contem-porary kitchen. Finished basement w/ large rec area.

mcdadi.ca/1561t

$1,499

,800

4+1 bed, 4 baths. Custom built. Hardwood. Gourmetkitchen w/ w/o to multi-level deck. Finished basement.

mcdadi.ca/458m

$4,680

,000

Rattray Marsh. 5 beds, 7 baths. Walking distance tothe lake. Mix of modern and traditional decor.

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$1,499

,999

4 beds, 4 baths. Ravine lot. Heated in-ground pool.Hardwood floors. Renovated. Finished basement.

mcdadi.ca/194L

$1,198

,000

3 beds, 4 baths. Rooftop gardenw/ hot tub. Finishedbasement. Hardwood.Ground floor is zoned for business.

mcdadi.ca/1345a

$1,998

,000

4+1 beds, 4 baths. Private lot. Hardwood. Heatedfloors in bsmt. Gourmet kitchen. Finished basement.

mcdadi.ca/1266r

$2,399

,950

3 beds, 3 baths. Treed lot with large pool. Updatedkitchen with island. Finished basement with wine cellar.

Sales Representatives: Abraham Azraq, Ahmad Shehab-Eldin, Alvin Tung, Ben Sadeg, Bill McFarland, Ciro Napolitano, Craig Yaffe, Fadi Abou-Chalha, Helen O’Brecht, Isaiah Bayley-Hay, JohnAthanasiou, Julie Jones, Kayla Ie, Leanne Binsell, Lisa Lee, Maggie Ribeiro, Marcello Marchese, Mark Powell, Marwa Nadr, Maryam Kermani, Marzena Ciecielag, Mase Rasti, Michelle Delemos,Mike Azraq, Mona Azraq, Norm Wilkie, Obie Khwaja, RJ Shahi, Roman Damavandi, Sam McDadi, Sara Azraq, Sean Johnny, Shannon Bowen, Sue-Maya Hawass, Tom Gusić, Tracy Nguyen, ZaheerShaw, Zareer Divecha. Brokers: Ashkan Khaleghi, Harry Nanda, Jim Yurchuk, Leonard Howell, Sabrina Nagar.

mcdadi.ca/1387i

$4,200

,000

5 bed, 6 baths. 7,438 sqft. 98X200 irregular premiumshaped lot. Approx 3,500 sqft of unspoiled basement.

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$3,288

,000

5+1 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 4500 sqf above grade w/finished basement, Mineola home w/ quality finishes.

mcdadi.ca/57c

$2,938

,000

4+1 bed, 6 baths. Port Credit. Custom built. Hard-wood. Heated tiled floor. Salt water pool.

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$2,688

,000

4+1 beds, 6 baths. Steps to the lake. In-ground pool.Gourmet maple kitchen w/ french door w/o to large deck

OPEN HOUSE Sat & Sun 2-4 pm46 Firwood Crescent, Toronto

OPEN HOUSE Saturday 2-4 pm1087 Rebecca Street, Oakville

OPEN HOUSE Saturday 2-4 pm2025 Oak Springs Road, Oakville

*Sale cannot be combined with any other offer and not valid on prior purchases.*We will pay equivalent of tax.

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