Ryan Starr – Toronto Starr

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]rowing numbers of this city’s wealthy empty nesters are looking to downsize from larger homes and enter the world of condo ownership, but without sacrificing the luxurious lifestyles to which they are accustomed, naturally.

When it comes to truly luxe condo offerings, however, options in Toronto tend to be limited.

“There’s a lot of luxury real estate on the market with hotels and all the activities, the hustle and bustle, if you want that,” says Burnac Development Corp. president Ted Burnett.

“But lots of those people just don’t want to move into a 50-storey condo building where you don’t know your neighbours. The transition from the high-class home in Forest Hill, with a lawn and driveway, to a huge pill box — it’s too much to handle.”

Burnac’s new luxury project, 277 Davenport, a six-storey, 10-unit boutique building just west of Avenue Road — or Ave and Dav, where Yorkville meets the Annex — offers the upmarket/downsizing crowd something rather different, he says. “Here you’ll know your neighbour; you’ll walk down the hall and say hello to someone. And there are only 10 units, so the elevator will come when you want it.

“It’s a nice transition for an affluent person who becomes an empty nester and who doesn’t want (to deal with) that whole thing with the highrise.”

277 Davenport’s luxury suites range from 1,819-square-foot units with two bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms to 3,767-square foot suites with three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms.

Prices go from $1.65 million for lower-floor suites to $3.3 million for those on the top levels. All units come with one parking space. (The project went on sale late last year.)

The penthouse takes up the entire top floor of the building, has a direct elevator, large patio, a terrace, and a green roof with lounge seating and swimming pool. It recently sold for $5.3 million, “by a local empty nester,” Burnett says — to someone in the “fashion business.”

277 Davenport, a building with strong horizontal planes punctuated by large balconies and floor-to-ceiling glass, is designed by Toronto architects Hariri Pontarini, the top-flight firm behind projects such as One Bloor, Shangri-La and The Florian.

Unlike some of the glitzy new hotel-condos downtown, 277 Davenport is aiming for luxuriousness without going gaudy, explains interior designer Tristan Fuller. “It’s not over the top luxury. We’re not talking Trump here. It’s more subtle; an understated elegance.”

Suites have 10-foot-high ceilings in principal rooms, floor to ceiling windows and terraces. Flooring is custom-stained straight plank hardwood. All residences are pre-wired for future installation of motorized shading and come with a glass enclosed gas fireplace.

“We’ve designed the principal rooms to serve as backdrops for collections and for entertaining,” explains Alana Boychuk.

Kitchens have Corian countertops, 10-foot islands and high-end appliances, including a 30-inch Miele fridge/freezer, Miele gas cooktop and a stainless steel Miele wall oven. There is also a dishwasher and front-loading washer/dryer — yes, both Miele.

The master ensuite has a six-foot Duravit soaker bathtub and Zucchetti shower bar with rain shower-head. “The appliances and fixtures are in keeping with what’s expected at this level,” Boychuk says.

“Conformity is not spoken here,” the sales brochure for 277 Davenport notes.

Indeed buyers are able to customize their units, and most so far have done just that, Burnett says.

“One buyer wanted traditional design, so we changed the trim package. One wanted totally modern, so we switched to modern. Even walls, if they’re non-structural, we can change that too.”

Most builders would freak at having to deal with so many changes, but in this case Burnett insists he doesn’t mind. “This is not a cookie cutter project, customization is definitely available here.”

Accordingly, Boychuk + Fuller have designed residences that present a “comfortable backdrop,” Fuller says. “The colours are all very warm and there’s a certain plushness … but we didn’t over-program the suites.”

Burnett says 277 Davenport is modeled on the kinds of apartment buildings one might find along Park Avenue in New York — smaller high-end residences with a concierge. “It’s a way of life that’s well-tested in other major cities, and something we thought was lacking here.”

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Contact Laurin Jeffrey for more information – 416-388-1960

Laurin Jeffrey is a Toronto Realtor with Century 21 Regal Realty. He did not
write these articles, he just reproduces them here for people who are
interested in Toronto real estate. He does not work for any builders.
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