Sydnia Yu – The Globe and Mail

Project: TWENTY
Location: Queen West
Builder: Streetcar Developments
Size: 485 to 751 square feet
Price: $288,900 to $382,000

Streetcar Development’s latest downtown development will put residents within steps of boutique shops, restaurants, galleries, cultural and musical outposts in Queen West. But buyers in the fourth and final phase will have the luxury of taking their walks sheltered from inclement weather.

This seven-storey residence will have commercial space at its base and underground access to shops, studios and supermarket anchoring sister buildings within the master-planned project at the corner of Queen and Dufferin streets.

“There isn’t anything quite like what we’re doing in the west-end area,” says vice-president of sales and marketing, Alie Warren, who cites nearly 90% of the 113 units have sold in the mid-rise Twenty, named after its address on Gladstone Avenue.

“The Carnaby will have interior access to the Metro, as will Twenty, but 2 and 8 Gladstone do not since they were built prior to the rest of the property coming online.”

However, these buildings will also have retail spots facing inward toward a central pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly row with paths exiting to Gladstone Avenue and a new park along Dufferin Street to the east and west respectively.

“In other master-planned [communities], like in Europe, it’s a very common feature to have these rows or laneways that are really vibrant and focused on retail to bring residents down, so it’s not just being about cars,” Ms. Warren adds.

“It will draw in the community versus being its own blocked-off plot of land that only people who live within those buildings will have access to.”

While the developer hopes locals will venture into the infill site, residents will also have sole use of amenities in the third phase.

Designed by Seven Haus, there will be a fitness centre with cardio, weight and yoga areas, a juice bar, party, games and media lounges, as well as a rooftop terrace with barbecue and dining facilities.

“You’re getting all the big, high-rise amenities in a little boutique building,” Ms. Warren says. “It’s an extension of an already great, vibrant West Queen West neighbourhood.”

To remain respectful of the existing streetscape, TACT Architecture conceived a contemporary envelope with brick, terracotta, metal, concrete, glass and steel materials punctuated with terraces and balconies.

Inside, one and two-bedroom suites will have open-concept principal rooms appointed nine-foot ceilings, exposed concrete pillars, hardwood floors and frosted-glass sliding doors, plus high-gloss European cabinetry, granite and Caesarstone counters and backsplashes.

“We’ve got some smaller units, so the prince points are more manageable for people – both investors and end users,” Ms. Warren adds.

“A lot of people are drawn to the one-bedroom plus den or two-bedrooms, especially for professionals who want to work at home or have a guest room … or those that want to rent out the unit.”

Monthly fees will be 50 cents a square foot. Parking will be $30,000 and bike lockers $500.

Occupancy is slated for spring 2016.

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

Laurin Jeffrey is a Toronto real estate agent 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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