A view from the Buckingham lobby
In Safe Hands Smart home technology connects remote caregivers and opens new doors for security at Grand Central Mimico's upcoming condo development.
The newest condos-to-be f launt
amenities like pet spas, yoga rooms and libraries — perks that future resident’s look forward to. But
BY REBECCA MELNYK
what is sometimes missing from the list of niceties are technologies that respond to crucial issues like safety and security.
As society ushers in an era of smart home technology that is more adaptable and efficient, some developers are pushing this to the top of a pile of conveniences—for owners aging in place or buyers looking for extra protection from building emergencies or unwanted visitors. One of them is Vandyk Properties. As the first private developer to have signed a binding agreement with Metrolinx for a transitoriented community in Ontario, the city builder is bringing an integrated home technology system to its Buckingham condos.
The trio of towers will span 1.85 million square feet in the upcoming Grand Central Mimico mixed-use community in South Etobicoke. Every suite will have a wall pad and smartphone app that owners can control from anywhere. The whole intent of the wall pad is that it’s accessible, whether that means controlling the temperature within a suite or calling for elevator access in the morning. Owners can also load the wall pad set-up onto any smart device as an app.
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Remote Caregiving When it comes to remote caregiving, the technology may be a most important amenity as it creates a family support service for elderly purchasers. For instance, parents can give access to their children to monitor and assist with any heating or cooling issues, or to make sure doors are locked. Domenic Zita, executive vice president and managing director of operations at Vandyk Properties, says children unable to contact their parents can actually see if they left their suite; the technology records residents
