GTA Condo Life - March 26, 2022

Greater Toronto’s COMPLETE CONDO GUIDE

Greater Toronto Area March 26–April 23, 2022

The Residences at Central Park Where the Urban and Natural Worlds Connect

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MORTGAGE PRE-APPROVAL

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MARCH 26–APRIL 23, 2022

CONTENTS COVER STORY

26 THE RESIDENCES AT CENTRAL PARK AMEXON INTRODUCES A NEW NATURE-INSPIRED UPSCALE COMMUNITY IN BAYVIEW VILLAGE AREA 6 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

36 Neighbourhood Watch Oshawa and Whitby

58

Maps & Amenity Charts

65 Advertisers Index Want more information? Just ask — and you could win a prize

COLUMNS

22

Stat Chat Could a potential tenant exodus impact your real estate investment?

30 Legally Speaking Four things to look for in your new home contract

40

31

Real Insight What buyers and sellers are saying about the months ahead

34 Personal Finance What you need to know about the mortgage pre-approval process

35

Home Realty New home or condo? What’s the difference?

37

Western View West End Home Builders’ Association celebrates industry accomplishments

44 Real Estate Pro Many reasons to buy a new home or condo

45 Realty Insider Look at the big picture when mortgage interest rates rise

42 Property profile 38

The Dawes Marlin Spring sets the bar with modern condo east of Main Street

40 Tribute UC Tower 3 It takes an idea to transform a city

42 Express 2 Malibu introduces the next chapter of condominiums on the subway

46 Condo Design Vertical living in a virtual world

DEPARTMENTS

8

66 Industry Report The National Home Show returns in April

Editor’s Note On fire and in sync

10

Contributors

12

Condo Life Online

14

In the Spotlight GTA new home sales off to a strong start in January; more news on pages 16, 18 and 20

INTERIORS

47 Cover 48 Decor 50 Big Style 52

Home Life

24 Inside The GTA 32

In Conversation With...

Mike P. Moffatt Smart Prosperity Institute

nexthome.ca 7

EDITOR’S NOTE

ON FIRE AND IN SYNC

WAYNE KARL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Condo Life Magazine

EMAIL: wayne.karl@nexthome.ca TWITTER: @WayneKarl

+ get social 8

Spring is around the corner, and in real estate, that typically means busy season.

But in 2022, this usually hot time of year is shrouded in questions, and lots of them.

What can you afford? Where can you afford to buy? How high will interest rates rise this year? Could the conflict in Europe affect the economy? Are we finally clear of COVID? These are among the more common things prospective homebuyers are wondering. And if you’ve been studying the market and doing research as you prepare to make your new home purchase, you might have come across some slightly more complex issues that could have an impact: What’s this labour shortage we keep hearing about? How might that affect newhome projects? And what’s up with inflation? Everything is becoming more expensive… Should you buy sooner rather than later?

Since the Bank of Canada raised its influential overnight rate target on March 2 – to 0.50 per cent from the 0.25 per cent where it has been for four years – early reports are of a market frenzy. On a recent call with members of the housing industry, hosted by new home marketing firm PMA Brethour, CIBC World Markets’ Deputy Chief Economist Benjamin Tal remarked that the economy could be “on fire” in the spring and summer. Why? A combination of typical seasonal activity, the relaxing of COVID restrictions, pent-up demand from consumers looking to beat interest rate hikes, and the continuation of economic strength in Canada, Ontario and the GTA. Add to this the progress of the Ontario Housing Affordability Task Force, the prospect that our various levels of governments may eventually get in sync on housing supply and immigration (see page 32), and you have the makings of a spike in homebuying interest.

It’s all a lot to consider, and no one could blame you if it makes you a little nervous. But for prospective new-home buyers, it all boils down to three key points: Where, what and when to buy.

And we’re here to help. You’re not going to want to miss our April 9 issue, when we present an all-star cast of market experts to advise you on, all things considered, what you really need to do to best prepare to buy a new home.

We’re even going to go a step further and showcase a “hot list” of projects and upcoming launches that would make strong choices for your new home purchase.

On fire and in sync? That remains to be seen. But our expert sources next issue will break it all down to help you decide where, what and when you should you buy.

Interact with us on social media: nexthome

condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

CONTRIBUTORS PERSONAL FINANCE | JESSE ABRAMS Jesse Abrams is Co-Founder at Homewise, a mortgage advisory and brokerage firm based in Toronto. thinkhomewise.com

CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

Jacky Hill jacky.hill@nexthome.ca EXECUTIVE MEDIA CONSULTANT

Michael Rosset

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – NATIONAL REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE PRO | BARBARA LAWLOR Barbara Lawlor is President and CEO of Baker Real Estate Inc., and an in-demand columnist and speaker. A member of the Baker team since 1993, Barbara oversees the marketing and sale of condo developments in Canada and overseas. baker-re.com

Susan Legge susan.legge@nexthome.ca

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – GREATER TORONTO AREA

Wayne Karl wayne.karl@nexthome.ca MANAGING EDITOR

Rise Levy rise.levy@nexthome.ca CONTRIBUTORS

DECOR | LINDA MAZUR Linda Mazur is an award-winning designer and Principal of Linda Mazur Design Group. With almost two decades of experience this in demand multi-disciplinary design firm is known for creating relaxed, stylish spaces and full-scale design builds throughout the GTA and Canada. lindamazurdesign.com @LindaMazurGroup

Jesse Abrams, Mike Collins-Williams, Sara Duck, Michael Klassen, Barbara Lawlor, Linda Mazur, Ben Myers, Tania Richardson, Lisa Rogers, Jayson Schwarz, Dave Wilkes SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, SALES, NEXTHOME

Hope McLarnon 416.708.7987, hope.mclarnon@nexthome.ca DIRECTOR OF SALES, ONTARIO, NEXTHOME

Natalie Chin 416.881.4288, natalie.chin@nexthome.ca REAL INSIGHT | JASON MERCER Jason Mercer is TRREB’s Chief Market Analyst. His sought-after market analysis helps realtors and their clients understand housing trends and underlying economic drivers in the GTA.

SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS

Amanda Bell 416.830.2911, amanda.bell@nexthome.ca VICE-PRESIDENT, MARKETING – GTA

Leanne Speers

SENIOR CLIENT RELATIONS SPECIALIST – GTA

Sonia Presotto

MANAGER CUSTOMER SALES/SERVICE

Marilyn Watling STAT CHAT | BEN MYERS Ben Myers is President of Bullpen Consulting. Ben provides pricing recommendation, product mix, and valuation studies on new residential housing developments for builders, lenders and property owners. bullpenconsulting.ca

SALES & MARKETING CO-ORDINATORS

Gary Chilvers, Vi Nguyen

HOME SHOW MANAGER & NEWSPAPER CIRCULATION – GTA

Josh Rosset DISTRIBUTION

distributionteam@nexthome.ca ACCOUNTING INQUIRIES

accountingteam@nexthome.ca BIG STYLE | LISA ROGERS Lisa Rogers is Executive Vice-President of Design for Dunpar Homes. Lisa has shared her style and design expertise on popular television programs such as Canadian Living TV, House & Home TV and The Shopping Channel. Lisa is also a regular guest expert on CityTV’s Cityline. dunparhomes.com.

DIRECTOR OF PRINT MEDIA

Lauren Reid–Sachs

VICE-PRESIDENT, PRODUCTION – GTA

Lisa Kelly

PRODUCTION MANAGER – GTA

Yvonne Poon

GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ASSISTANT MANAGER

Alicesa Pullan LEGALLY SPEAKING | JAYSON SCHWARZ Jayson Schwarz LLM is a Toronto real estate lawyer and partner in the law firm Schwarz Law Partners LLP. He can be reached by visiting schwarzlaw.ca or by email at info@schwarzlaw.ca or phone at 416.486.2040.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER & PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR

Hannah Yarkony GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Johannah Lorenzo, Jean Fay Rodriguez, Mike Terentiev

Published by

INDUSTRY REPORT | DAVE WILKES Dave Wilkes is President and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), the voice of the home building, land development and professional renovation industry in the GTA. For the latest industry news and new home data, follow BILD on Twitter at @bildgta or visit bildgta.ca

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condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

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CONDO MARKET

GTA condo sales reach an all-time high in 2021 A booming fourth quarter capped off a record year for condominium unit sales in 2021, according to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board.

NEW DEVELOPMENT

XO2 Condos from Lifetime Developments – where the future has arrived Healthy living and family-oriented amenities take centre stage at XO2 Condos at King and Dufferin from Lifetime Developments.

NEW COMMUNITY

Dunpar offers rare lowrise living at Lambton Towns in vibrant St. Clair Avenue West For homebuyers with a wish list for a walkable neighbourhood, easy access to transit and shopping plus a beautiful home, Dunpar Homes’ Lambton Towns checks all the boxes.

COMMUNITY

Brampton – where the future is now It’s one thing for a neighbourhood to be in transition, quite another for an entire city. But that’s precisely what’s happening in Brampton.

INSIGHT

Choose up-and-coming destinations in Southern Ontario for great value Location is everything when buying real estate. Housing expert Debbie Cosic breaks down some of the hottest upand-coming areas.

Visit or check us out on 12 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

GTA NEW HOME SALES OFF TO A STRONG START IN JANUARY AS LOW INVENTORY LEVELS CONTINUE The GTA new home market saw a very busy January, according to the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD).

There were 2,853 total new home sales in January, which was up 18 per cent from January 2021 and 47 per cent above the 10-year average, according to Altus Group, BILD’s official source for new home market intelligence. It was the highest number of new homes sold in January in 19 years.

A record 2,274 new condominium apartment units, including units in low-, medium- and highrise buildings, stacked townhouses and loft units, were sold in January. This was 113 per cent above the 10-year average and more than 40 per cent higher than the previous high in 2017.

Sales of new single-family homes, including detached, linked and semidetached houses and townhouses (excluding stacked townhouses), with 579 units sold, were down 33 per cent from the 10-year average.

“One needs to look no further than the strong demand and our weakening inventory numbers to know we have a housing supply crisis in the GTA,” says Justin Sherwood, BILD’s senior vice-president of communications and stakeholder relations. “That is why

BILD has welcomed the recent report from Ontario’s Housing Affordability Task Force, and why we support its 55 recommendations to address the housing supply and affordability challenge in Ontario and the GTA.” “January provided further evidence that, despite earlier pandemic-related disruptions, the city of Toronto remains an attractive location for new condo apartment investors and end user buyers,” adds Edward Jegg, analytics team leader at Altus Analytics, Altus Group. “Strong sales at the large number of recently opened city of Toronto projects boosted overall GTA new condo sales to their highest January ever. New single-family home sales, however, continued to be weak across the GTA, plagued by record low inventory.”

With nine new condominium projects opening in January, remaining inventory increased slightly compared to the previous month, to 8,333 units, but still represented only 2.9 months of inventory based on average sales

for the past 12 months. A balanced market would have nine to 12 months of inventory. Condominium unit inventories have fallen to within 1,000 units of the recent lows of 2017, and are half the level compared to as recent as the 2011-16 period, says Jegg.

Remaining inventory for singlefamily homes reached a record low of 550 units in January, about 10 per cent of the level from 2019, before the start of the pandemic, and far below the more than 15,000 units on average for the 2000-09 period.

Remaining inventory includes units in preconstruction projects, in projects currently under construction, and in completed buildings.

Benchmark pricing eased somewhat in January for both condominiums and single-family homes. The benchmark price for new condominium apartments was $1.15 million, up 12.7 per cent over the last 12 months, while new single-family home prices rose 30 per cent to $1.77 million.

JANUARY NEW HOME SALES BY MUNICIPALITY REGION Durham Halton Peel Toronto York GTA

HIGHRISE 2022 2021 2020 62 44 27 33 91 52 291 80 92 1,618 364 616 270 106 274 22,274 685 1,061

2022 189 50 103 30 207 579

LOWRISE 2021 2020 673 152 216 190 142 201 28 16 674 439 1,733 998

2022 251 83 394 1,648 477 2,853

TOTAL 2021 2020 717 179 307 242 222 293 392 632 780 713 2,418 2,059 SOURCE: ALTUS GROUP

14

condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

CONNECTED END EAST LIVING C O N D O S C O M I N G S O O N | R E G I S T E R N O W at T H E D A W E S . C O M

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In the spotlIght

GTA RESALE MARKET RECORDS hiSToRic SAlES in FEbRuARy February home sales were down compared to the all-time record in 2021, but represented the secondbest result for the month of February in history. New listings dropped, but by a marginally lesser annual rate than sales, pointing to a modest move to a slightly more balanced market. Competition between buyers, however, remained tight enough to support double-digit price growth year-over-year.

GTA realtors reported 9,097 sales through the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s (TRREB) MLS System in February 2022, representing a 16.8-per-cent decrease compared to February 2021.

The supply of listings for lowrise home types (detached, semidetached and townhouses) was also down year-over-year, but not by as much as sales. In the condominium apartment segment, particularly in Toronto, new listings were up in comparison to February 2021.

“Demand for ownership housing remains strong throughout the GTA, and while we are marginally off the record pace seen last year, any buyer looking in this market is not likely to feel it, with competition remaining the norm,” says TRREB President Kevin Crigger. “Many households sped up their home purchase and entered into a transaction in 2021, which is one reason the number of sales were

forecasted to be lower this year, and a trending towards higher borrowing costs will have a moderating effect on home sales. Substantial immigration levels and a continued lack of supply, however, will have a countering effect to increasing mortgage costs.”

The MLS Home Price Index Composite Benchmark was up by 35.9 per cent year-over-year in February. The average selling price for all home types combined was up by 27.7 per cent to $1.33 million.

The pace of price growth varied by home type and region, but there was relative parity between lowrise and condominium apartment growth rates.

“We have seen a slight balancing in the market so far this year, with sales dipping more than new listings,” says TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer. “However, because inventory remains exceptionally low, it will take some time for the pace of price growth to slow. Look

for a more moderate pace of price growth in the second half of 2022 as higher borrowing costs result in some households putting their home purchase on hold temporarily as they resituate themselves in the market.”

“We are close to provincial and municipal elections in Ontario,” adds TRREB CEO John DiMichele.

“We know that housing affordability will be top of mind. Parties and individuals vying for political office must concentrate on bold and creative policies that will support increased and diverse housing supply to account for the current deficit and future population growth as immigration accelerates.

“History has shown that tax-based policies pointed at foreign buying and speculative activity, which seem to be the political preference, have had very little impact on the market simply because this type of activity accounts for a small share of overall market activity.”

GTA resAle AverAGe prices, FebruAry 2022 (yr/yr % chAnGe) 416

905

Total

Detached

$2.07M (23.0)

$1.72M (32.9)

$1.79M (31.0)

semi-detached

$1.49M (14.0)

$1.28M (37.5)

$1.35M (29.6)

Townhome

$1.13M (22.8)

$1.11M (32.3)

$1.11M (30.5)

$822,090 (21.5)

$756,146 (34.2)

$799,966 (24.6)

condo

Source: TrreB

16 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

GTA BUILDERS AMONG THE FINALISTS AT 2022 CHBA NATIONAL AWARDS FOR HOUSING EXCELLENCE GTA homebuilders are among the finalists for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s (CHBA) 2022 CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence.

The annual competition recognizes the best in Canadian new homes, home renovations, community development and residential marketing. This year a record-setting 800 entries were submitted from eight different provinces, showcasing a variety of housing types, from large cities and small towns.

Forty-eight awards for excellence in housing will be presented on May 13. For a complete list of finalists, visit chba.ca/housingawards.

BEST DIGITAL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

Branthaven Homes, Burlington – The Fifty, with Roc Media Inc. Camrost Felcorp Inc. and Gladstone Media, Toronto – EX3, with IBI Group Collecdev and Montana Steele Advertising, Toronto – Cielo Condos Cortel Group and Impact North Inc., Vaughan – Abeja District, with Quadrangle BEST PRINT AD

Altree Developments and Gladstone Media, Toronto – Forest Hill Private Residences, with Graziani + Corazza Architects Inc. and U31 BEST VIRTUAL TOUR EXPERIENCE

GTA FINALISTS INCLUDE: BEST SIGNAGE

Collecdev and Montana Steele Advertising, Toronto – Cielo Condos BEST BROCHURE/KIT

Acorn Developments and Gladstone Media, Toronto – Sincerely, Acorn, with VA3 Design and GCB Interiors Architecture Inc. Cortel Group and Impact North Inc., Vaughan – Abeja District, with Quadrangle StateView Homes, Toronto – The Enclave, with 52 Pick-up Inc.

Geranium, Markham – Courts of Canterbury, with Builder Insight Group Inc. and RN Design ELAD Canada and Pureblink, Toronto – Galleria on the Park, with DesignAgency Tridel and Aareas Interactive Inc., Downsview – Westerly Condos Virtual Scale Model BEST SALES OFFICE

Aoyuan International, Toronto – M2M Community, with Figure3 ELAD Canada, Toronto – Galleria, with U31 Reid’s Heritage Homes and Calibrex Developments, Cambridge – Lackner Ridge Rosehaven Homes, Oakville – The Vincent BEST SHORT VIDEO

Menkes Developments, Toronto – ADAGIO, with The Brand Factory Treasure Hill Homes, Vaughan – McMichael Estates, with 52 Pick-up Inc. BEST LONG VIDEO

Armour Heights Development, Richmond Hill – The Hill on Bayview, with U31 Design 18 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

Brookfield Residential, Toronto – Drawn Home Tridel and Pureblink, Toronto – The Dupont, with Gladstone Media and U31 Design BEST INTERIOR DECORATING (MODEL/SHOW HOME)

Altree Developments, Toronto – Forest Hill Private Residences, with U31 Kylemore, Markham – Kennedy Manors, with The Brand Factory BEST BRANDING AND IDENTITY

Acorn Developments and Gladstone Media Inc., Toronto – Sincerely, Acorn, with VA3 and GCB Interior Architecture Inc. Branthaven Homes, Burlington – Upper West Side Condos 2 (UWSC2), with Kirkor Architects & Planners Camrost Felcorp Inc. and Gladstone Media Inc., Toronto – EX3, with IBI Group RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust and Gladstone Media Inc., Toronto – VERGE Rosehaven Homes, Oakville – The Vincent, with McOuat Partnership BEST MID- TO HIGHRISE BUILDING (PLANNED)

Armour Heights Developments, Toronto – 89 Avenue Yorkville Branthaven Homes, Burlington – Upper West Side Condos 2 (UWSC2), with II BY IV Design and Kirkor Architects & Planners Modern Skyline Corp., Toronto – Modern Skyline, 160 Trafalgar, with Figure3 Rosehaven Homes, Oakville – The Vincent, with McOuat Partnership

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

4 IN 10 ONTARIO PARENTS FINANCIALLY HELP THEIR KIDS BUY A HOME New polling from the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) shows Ontario’s older parents greatly value the importance of homeownership – so much so, that they are willing to financially help their children buy a property. Conducted by Abacus Data for OREA, the Housing Affordability in Ontario: Perceptions, Impacts, And Solutions (Wave 2) report found that four in 10 parents of young homeowner adults (aged 18 to 38) helped their child financially with the purchase.

Of those that helped their children, 44 per cent dipped into their own general savings to support their child’s dream, with 15 per cent borrowing from their own retirement savings or investments. On average, those who loaned money lent $40,878, while those who gifted money gave $73,605.

For parents of those young adults who do not own property, 91 per cent say it is important that their children be able to eventually buy a home.

These parents overwhelmingly recognize that it is more difficult to buy a residential property today compared to when they were in their 20s, citing high housing prices (88 per cent) and the difficulty of saving for a down payment (49 per cent) as the top contributing factors. Other influences include a less secure job market, expensive education costs and fewer homes being built.

20 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

“Parents are becoming increasingly worried that their children may not be able to achieve the dream of homeownership, so they are pulling out all the stops to help them get their foot in the market,” says OREA CEO Tim Hudak. “Ontario’s parents have seen first-hand the benefits of homeownership on neighbourhoods: It fosters vibrant and stable communities, improves quality of life, and has been the bulwark of Canada’s middle class for generations, so it is not surprising that they want the same for their children.”

The rest of Ontario agrees.

Regardless of age, 92 per cent of Ontarians believe we need to do what we can to make sure that future generations have the same opportunity to own a home as the generations that came before. The risk, should Ontario get it wrong, is real: 80 per cent of Ontarians believe that the cost of housing in Ontario is making the province a less attractive place to live and work.

“We are in a housing affordability crisis being driven by severe lack of supply, and increased demand, especially around ‘missing middle’ type properties,” says Hudak.

“Without meaningful action at all levels of government, Ontario’s millennials and young families will be forced to look outside the province for their first home, leading to brain drain and negatively impacting our economic competitiveness. To

bring affordability home for young Ontarians, we need to be continually increasing housing supply and choice in the market, across the province.”

The majority of Ontarians echo those sentiments, with 52 per cent saying not enough housing is being built in the province.

While Ontario has drastically improved the number of housing starts – in 2021, the province saw the highest level in more than two decades, at nearly 100,000 – Ontarians want to see further political emphasis on housing affordability. Seventy-six per cent of poll respondents believe housing affordability should be a high priority for the provincial government – but feel it currently is a moderate to low priority.

Since conducting the poll, the Ontario Government’s Housing Affordability Task Force has recommended that the province aim to build 1.5 million homes in the next decade by increasing density in urban and suburban areas, as well as updating the development approvals process employed by municipalities.

All levels of government need to work together and take meaningful action to increase supply to help create future generations of Canadian homeowners, OREA says. More homes and more affordable choices are what will help frustrated young families finally get the keys to a new home.

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ADVICE | STAT CHAT

COULD A POTENTIAL TENANT EXODUS IMPACT YOUR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT?

BEN MYERS

COVID-19 and this current health crisis has forced many people to reconsider where they should be living and working. The 400-sq.-ft. downtown condominium apartment was perfect for a short walk to work for a young and single Torontonian, providing access to nearby restaurants and was a short subway ride to your bestie’s house. With many companies allowing employees to remain remote in the post-vaccine era and house prices and rents up 15 to 40 per cent annually in some neighbourhoods, does urban living still make sense?

New condo prices have skyrocketed in Toronto over the past decade, going from $700 per sq. ft. for a brand-new pre-construction launch, to more than $1,500 per sq. ft. today. If you want a new singlefamily house in the suburbs, good luck, as prices continue to rise at an unprecedented pace.

We have witnessed a massive shift over the last 20 years with the complete revitalization of downtown Toronto, the building of new office buildings, and especially new highrise condos. The population has soared in recent years. Many buyers have chosen to live in downtown condominiums for lifestyle and environmental reasons. They want to be walking distance to cafes, shops, parks, friends, hospitals and employment, all while reducing 22 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

the need for development on the outskirts of the GTA that eats up greenfield lands and increases the reliance on cars. They don’t want to pay for a parking spot, a car lease, license fees or insurance for a vehicle that sits in a garage most of the day and pumps out pollution the rest of the time.

A second group of people are living downtown for affordability reasons.

They would much prefer to live in a single-family detached home in an inner-suburban community with a big backyard and two parking spaces.

However, that requires many years to save for, and based on recent trends presented earlier, that number of years is rapidly increasing. They need to be as close to work as possible to save time and money, and centrallylocated highrise buildings have fit that need for them in the short term.

A trend that was accelerated because of COVID-19 is an exodus out of Toronto, as people flee for less expensive housing, especially families tired of cramped conditions and expensive daycare. If you’re thinking about buying a new home as an investment, how worried should you be about prices falling due to a declining demand as residents leave?

Alternatively, what if no one can afford to buy your property when you want to sell?

We will certainly see some of the older residents sell their GTA homes and move to the smaller, quaint and walkable downtown areas in places such as Peterborough, Brighton, Cobourg, St. Catharines and Niagaraon-the-Lake. However, expect most of these older residents to stay due to proximity to family and friends,

and the unwillingness to start over in a new place, finding doctors and dentists or favourite restaurants. The baby boomer generation is likely to stay in their homes, and this is a big demographic group that is living longer than past generations.

The second group, the ones living in Toronto for affordability reasons only, have less ability to move. If you can only afford a $600,000 condo, you have to travel pretty far to get a single-family house for that price, and you better be a handy person for all the work you’ll have to do on it. GTA buyers have driven up house prices in Niagara Falls, Cambridge, Welland and even places as far as Woodstock.

Toronto remains one of the most desirable cities in the world to live in (despite house prices). Now that borders are open again, expect record immigration, especially with the social and political unrest in other parts of the world.

My advice is to buy for the long term, and add value to the property you buy via design, renovations and additions – but stay within your budget. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Ben Myers is the President of Bullpen Consulting, a boutique residential real estate advisory firm specializing in condominium and rental apartment market studies, forecasts and valuations for developers, lenders and land owners.

Contact him at bullpenconsulting.ca and @benmyers29 on Twitter.

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#InsidetheGTA

by SUSAN LEGGE

GTA

LAKEVIEW VILLAGE WINS URBAN DESIGN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

LAKEVIEW VILLAGE in Mississauga was recently awarded the Award of Excellence in Sustainable Development at the 2022 National Urban Design Awards. The jury commended the project, recognizing its meaningful and long-standing commitment to sustainability. The brownfield site, which is located just east of Lakeshore Road and Cawthra Road on the site of the former Lakeview Generating Station, will soon be home to Canada’s first “15-minute city” – a connected, environmentally conscious and socially responsible community.

This transformative 177-acre revitalization project will revolutionize the way people live, visit and experience the waterfront through its thoughtful design and curated collection of housing, retail, office and recreational programming. mylakeviewvillge.com 24

condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

Reina breaks ground in Etobicoke Canada’s first all-female development team has broken ground on its Reina community in Etobicoke.

Having quickly reached more than 85 per cent sold, construction is ready to begin, and the signature Quonset-style sales centre on The Queensway will soon be demolished to formally kick off construction.

Taya Cook of Urban Capital and Sherry Larjani of Spotlight Developments say this trailblazing project rethinks the multi-residential living experience.

Cook and Larjani combined forces to build an exceptional female leadership team across industries such as construction management, architecture, interior design, engineering (including structural, civil, mechanical and electrical), legal, surveying and sales to develop Reina. Doing so, they hope to change the narrative and inspire more women to join the industry. reinacondos.com

Vandyk Start Program aims to help first-time buyers With demand growing, the GTA market has become incredibly competitive, making it tough for firsttime homebuyers.

To help, Vandyk Properties has launched the Vandyk Start Program, a collaboration with the City of Toronto

that is now available at Vandyk’s Grand Central Mimico masterplanned community in Etobicoke.

The Vandyk Start Program works with eligible first-time homebuyers by: • Reducing upfront deposit requirement to only 10 per cent compared to the traditional 20 per cent deposit for a market-priced condo • Extending the deposit structure to more than 540 days • Providing an interest-free, paymentfree loan in partnership with the City of Toronto At closing, buyers’ interest-free and payment-free loan is applied as a “silent mortgage” amount based on the unit type. The loan is provided by the City of Toronto. vandyk.com

Andrew Brethour appointed to Abraham Global Peace Initiative board of governors Canadian human rights organization, The Abraham Global Peace Initiative (AGPI), recently announced the appointment of PMA Brethour Executive Chairman, Andrew Brethour, to its Board of Governors.

The Abraham Global Peace Initiative is the voice for the oppressed and all who call out for freedom, democracy and human rights. Its exclusive purpose is to contribute and advance the moral and ethical development of the community, work to preserve human life and uphold the administration and enforcement of Canadian law in all this entails.

“I am deeply honoured to be appointed to AGPI’s Board of Governors,” says Brethour. “AGPI is a leading Canadian advocacy organization, and I am humbled to play a small part in their fight to uphold and advance human rights globally. It has long been a cornerstone of my beliefs to give back to those in need, and AGPI is a champion of that cause.”

Brethour is a former director and executive of the Toronto, Ontario and Canadian Home Builders’ Associations.

He is the founder and former chair of the Toronto and National SAM Awards and has been the recipient of several awards, including the prestigious Maple Leaf Award honouring Canada’s top associate member.

To learn more about AGPI and its mission, visit the website. agpiworld.com

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COVER STORY

THE RESIDENCES AT CENTRAL PARK

AMEXON WILL SOON INTRODUCE A NATURE-INSPIRED, MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY

Every now and then, a residential opportunity comes along that is unlike any other. That’s what Amexon Development Corp. has in mind for Central Park, its 12-acre, masterplanned, mixed-use community on Sheppard Avenue in the Bayview Village neighbourhood. Central Park has been designed to be a vibrant, environmentally sustainable community and a nexus between the urban and natural worlds.

Residents enjoy proximity to a range of urban conveniences, have the subway and GO Transit at their front door, and direct access to the East Don Parkland’s sprawling, forested ravine that surrounds the property in lush nature.

26 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

Jason Shiff, executive sales manager, explains: “Central Park is a nature-inspired upscale community unlike anything else in Toronto. We’re tremendously excited about launching sales. Central Park will be a quiet oasis in vibrant urban surroundings, where outdoor lovers are going to be able to immerse themselves in nature all year long. The ravine is part of the Don River Valley parklands where there’s a network of walking and cycling trails to explore that lead all the way downtown. And the community is connected, with the Leslie subway station and the relocated Oriole GO station right at your front door. Getting around the city, the GTA and beyond will be incredibly convenient.”

Bayview Village Shopping Centre is just down the road, with Loblaws, Pusateri’s Fine Foods, Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill and a variety of other shops and services, ranging from restaurants to lifestyle and wellness. Yorkdale, Fairview Mall, golf courses, parks and other destinations are within easy reach with immediate access to public transit, Hwy. 401, the DVP and the 404.

“We took a lot of time and care planning the look and lifestyle potential of Central Park,” Shiff adds.

“It’s going to redefine how residents live, work and play.”

The community itself will feature outstanding shared amenities, retail, restaurants and services – including

an on-site daycare. The awardwinning Central Park Common is at the heart of the community – an artfully landscaped, three-acre urban park. Think traditional village green, where residents can gather and connect in person along pedestrianfriendly streets lined with bike paths, casual dining venues, fountains and reflecting pools. Year-round programming will include a farmers’ market and a picturesque skating rink.

Amexon enlisted an awardwinning team to craft a development destined to become a local landmark.

CORE Architects’ artful exterior for the residential condominiums is in harmony with the natural surroundings, with facades displaying an organic leaflike design in a constant interplay of sun and shade.

Balconies are a full six ft. deep with vista views, and floor-to-ceiling suite windows invite the outdoors in for a stunning effect. “We wanted to break away from the conventional,” explains CORE’s Deni Poletti, “to express a harmonious coexistence between sparkling glass and nature. It

nexthome.ca 27

was important to be respectful of the tower’s natural setting above the East Don Parkland.”

The visionary design features an elegant, hotel-inspired, port-cochere that provides an inviting sense of arrival, with an artisan-designed fountain and lush landscaping by renowned Cosburn Nauboris Landscape Architects.

Sophisticated suite and amenity interiors continue a contemporary vibe, with modern features grounded in natural materials and earthy colours. “We were really inspired to create something new and fresh,” says Dan Menchions of II by IV DESIGN. “We want these spaces to evoke the allure and comfort of nature, with detailed features and finishes that unite a love of the outdoors and creative living.”

In keeping with the “lifestyle like no other” approach of this development, residents will have the use of 55,000-sq.-ft. of fitness, wellness, leisure and social amenity space offering something for residents of all ages. The Park Club will be home to indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, a state-of-the-art fitness club, halfcourt basketball, a screening room/ theatre, recording/media studio, event space, piano/wine lounge, kids’ club, guest suites and yoga studio.

28 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

Among the leisure-inspired amenities will be rooftop Zen gardens, barbecue areas, a skating rink, bowling alley, golf simulator, hobby studio, and pet daycare/grooming facilities. Working from “home” will be made easy in the spacious 5,000-sq.-ft. co-working space, featuring smart technology, meeting rooms, hot desks and a business centre.

Environmental sustainability is high on the priority list, and Central Park will be built to Amexon’s Green Development Standard, incorporating industry-leading Green features. The tower’s glass crown has reflective solar panels that supplement the building’s energy needs, and Green roofs that reduce energy consumption. A thermal building envelope minimizes energy usage and next-generation mechanical systems incorporate advanced airflow and filtration systems. Central Park is the first large-scale project of its kind in Canada to include EV charging stations in all parking areas. There will also be on-site auto-share and bikeshare options available.

The community will eventually encompass more than 1,500 suites, in suites ranging from one- to threebedroom plus den layouts, in sizes from 439 to 1,200 sq. ft. Among the superb features and finishes will be

nine-ft.-high, smooth-finish ceilings, European-inspired kitchen cabinetry designed by II by IV DESIGN, and granite or quartz-surface slab countertops. Prices will begin from the $600,000s.

For a true appreciation of Amexon’s superior design and meticulously detailed craftsmanship, visit the must-see, 10,000-sq.-ft. all-glass Presentation Centre at 1200 Sheppard Ave. E. Spectacular gallery-like surroundings include kitchen, bathroom and walk-in closet vignettes that display many of the high-end appointments that come standard here. In the Finish Gallery, designer packages ensure a design-driven suite for every aesthetic sensibility.

Amexon Development is one of Toronto’s most prominent and innovative real estate developers, building its reputation as a multiaward-winning firm by delivering superior-quality properties. The Residences at Central Park is a world-class residential destination that sets new standards in the condominium industry.

The Presentation Centre will be located at 1200 Sheppard Ave. E. 416.252.3000 centralparktoronto.com nexthome.ca 29

ADVICE | LEGALLY SPEAKING

FOUR THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR NEW HOME CONTRACT JAYSON SCHWARZ, LLM and HAMZA AHMAD, JD

The length of a pre-construction contract will leave you reminiscing about the complications in Lord of the Rings. Schedules, addendums and page-long paragraphs can leave any reader feeling overwhelmed.

Here’s a guide to four important things to watch out for and make sure you understand.

1. IS IT ASSIGNABLE?

Your closing date will likely be years away, so consider that circumstances change, unforeseen events occur, and your position in life might change so much that as closing approaches, you may not wish – nor be able – to close.

An assignable contract will help you sleep better at night, because if life throws you a curveball, you can hit it right back by assigning your contract to a new buyer who can step into your shoes. If the market is anything like the last few years, you might even end up with some profit from the assignment.

If your contract is not assignable, you may have no choice but to close – and that will mean closing costs, builder’s adjustments, occupancy fees and mortgage approvals, and more cash down.

Review the assignment clause in your agreement. Not all assignment clauses are the same; some may require builder consent and approval, some may require that a significant 30 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

fee is paid, and some may have other restrictions attached.

to understand your rights as well as the builder’s.

2. EARLY TERMINATION CONDITIONS

4. COOLING OFF PERIODS

We’ve all heard the stories about projects being cancelled, and buyers facing the choice of having to pay more for their new home, or have their deposits returned.

Builders cannot cancel your contract for any reason, but they may do so if they cannot meet certain listed conditions in your contract, such as meeting a sales threshold or obtaining their own financing for construction.

Being informed may not prevent your contract from being cancelled, but you will be aware of important deadlines and the reasons for which your builder can cancel the project. Most of this information is contained in the Tarion Addendum that is attached to your agreement.

It is important that you read this and understand all your rights.

3. DELAYED CLOSING TIMELINE

Your closing is scheduled for, let’s say, 2025. It’s worth it, you tell yourself as you think about the next few years.

COVID slowed everything. What if your closing is delayed to 2026, 2028 or 2030? Highrise projects can be delayed a long time. Construction can be complicated, and your contract may allow your builder to delay the closing for several years to deal with those complexities.

In lowrise construction, there may be material shortages or other legitimate reasons for delay. Again, refer to your Tarion Addendum

New home purchase contracts are exceptionally long and complicated.

Condominium contracts come complete with a Disclosure Statement that can be extremely complex. You want to ensure that you are protected and informed, so taking it to an experienced lawyer for their review should be your next step. Reread articles, such as the ones on our website, speak to others who have purchased both types of products, and listen to focus on the things that are important.

Condominiums have a 10-day cooling off period that provides you a right in law to rescind the contract, if your expectations are not met.

Freehold purchases, on the other hand, are firm when you sign and you must close – unless you insert a conditional clause.

The best advice we can give you is to invest in a review with a knowledgeable professional to advise you. It may be the best investment you ever made. Remember, you are spending a large amount of money.

Do not scrimp in ensuring it is the right investment.

Jayson Schwarz, LLM, is managing partner of Schwarz Law Partners LLP. Hamza Ahmad, JD, is lead partner in residential real estate. schwarzlaw.ca, info@schwarzlaw.ca

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ADVICE | REAL INSIGHT

WHAT BUYERS AND SELLERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE MONTHS AHEAD

JASON MERCER

The latest consumer buying and selling intentions are in. Each year, TRREB and Ipsos poll GTA residents to gauge consumer sentiment on the housing market, including buying and selling intentions in the upcoming year.

GTA overall. When we drill down a bit deeper, we see that while there were fewer prospective first-time buyers in the suburban regions surrounding the city of Toronto, the number of intending first-timers actually increased year-over-year in the 416 area code. Stronger first-time buyer intentions in Toronto will continue to support a resurgent condo market.

The bottom line is that those who are looking to buy a home will do so in 2022. However, some may put their decision on hold, partially due to higher borrowing costs.

the next four months. This is down one point from last year and four points from 2020. A high number also shared they wouldn’t consider selling because they are satisfied with their current home. The poll also found that moving costs, land transfer taxes, and mortgage qualification rules will also prevent new homes from hitting the market. This means the supply of listings will remain constrained in 2022, resulting in continued competition between buyers and very strong upward pressure on home prices.

HOMEOWNERS STAYING PUT

DISCOVER MORE DRIVERS

On the supply side of the market, results showed fewer homeowners are likely to sell. Overall, 35 per cent of homeowners who took the survey said they would consider selling in

AND TRENDS

BUYERS REMAIN STEADY

The number of buyers who said they were very likely to purchase a home in 2022 was similar to results from 2021. But, when it comes to first-time buyers, their intentions to take the plunge into the market dipped for the

If you’re interested in delving deeper into the latest buying and selling intentions, discover TRREB’s 2022 Market Outlook & 2021 Year in Review report. Inside, you can uncover more trends in the new home, condo and commercial markets. Or, explore the digital digest for sought-after takeaways, plus access the full report.

You can also visit trreb.ca to connect with a TRREB member realtor and search listings in real time on any device.

Jason Mercer is TRREB’s Chief Market Analyst. His sought-after market analysis helps realtors and their clients understand housing trends and underlying economic drivers in the GTA. trreb.ca

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nexthome.ca 31

IN CONVERSATION WITH...

MIKE P. MOFFATT SENIOR DIRECTOR, POLICY AND INNOVATION SMART PROSPERITY INSTITUTE

by WAYNE KARL When it comes to forecasting anything, accurate data is important.

When it comes to projecting housing needs in already challenged markets such as those in the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton (GTAH) and surrounding communities, it’s absolutely essential.

It’s hard to fathom, then, that on a subject so vital to Ontarians in every way, our federal and provincial governments have been so badly out of sync, that it’s contributed to the drastic undersupply and affordability challenges we’re facing here.

32 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

It sounds like a recipe for disaster. Or, what the Smart Prosperity Institute (a national research network and policy think-tank based at the University of Ottawa) titled its new report for the Building Industry and Land Development Association, Forecast for Failure: How a Broken Forecasting System is at the Root of the GTAH’s Housing Shortage and How It Can Be Fixed.

We sat down with Mike P. Moffatt, senior director, policy and innovation at the Institute and author of the report, for further insights on this quandary, and where governments, homebuilders and even buyers, go from here.

Your report revealed some very surprising results – that forecasts have underestimated population growth and overestimated housing completions, meaning municipalities have been planning for growth using inaccurate or outdated assumptions.

Predictably, we’ve ended up with a severe shortage of housing and infrastructure to support new residents. How, in the 2020s, could this happen?

The problem goes back a decade or more and is a classic Canadian problem of different levels of

government being out of sync with each other. When it comes to population growth, there are two important actors. The first is the federal government, which sets rules around immigration, including immigration targets, as well as rules involving temporary foreign workers and international students.

The second is post-secondary institutions. Much of our population growth is coming from international students who attend our colleges and universities, and it is ultimately up to each institution on how much they will increase enrollment.

But when it comes to housing supply, two other sets of actors are important. First, you have the provincial government, which sets a framework for housing growth for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) under the province’s Growth Plan for the region. Second, you have the municipal governments, both inside and outside of the GGH, which have their own planning processes.

In short, you’ve got four different sets of actors, two of which affect population growth, and the other two which affect housing supply, and there’s a real lack of coordination between them.

How encouraged are you that we will now “get it right” going forward, when it comes to matching population projections with housing needs? The report says, “There is a genuine (and we would argue quite likely) possibility that the future may look a great deal like the past and that current forecasts are underestimating population growth and overestimating future housing completions.” That doesn’t sound too promising…

I’m cautiously optimistic. The first step to fixing the problem is understanding it, and the response we have received from policymakers on the report has been overwhelmingly positive.

There’s a need for better tools and better data, and both the provincial government as well as mayors, have identified these as issues.

How do you view the recent recommendations from the Housing Affordability Task Force?

The task force did a fantastic job with the mandate it was given. Its 55 recommendations recognize that there is not going to be one policy that fixes everything. The current mess was years in the making, and it will not be fixed overnight.

Recommendations 51 through 53 deal with population forecasting and data gaps, and are quite aligned with the recommendations we make in Forecast for Failure.

However, the province has its work cut out. It has set a target of 1.5 million new housing units over the next decade. That’s double what we have built over the last decade.

The recommendations are a good start, but those alone likely will not be enough.

What more could, or should, the Task Force focus on?

The Task Force’s mandate was to examine bottlenecks to increasing the housing supply built by the private sector, and it fulfilled that mandate well. There is still a need to look at demand-side issues, particularly the role speculation and money laundering are playing in our housing market. I would like to see either the provincial or federal government examine demand-side issues next. As well, there is also the need to increase the amount of social housing in the province.

One of the biggest bottlenecks to building housing, whether through the private or public sector, will be a lack of skilled tradespeople, particularly given the high numbers that are reaching retirement age.

The province has been focused on this issue, but there’s more work to be done.

All of this doesn’t really sound all that encouraging for those looking to buy a new home in the GTA. What advice would you give them?

Be patient, though that’s easier said than done. The combination of a

supply shortage along with access to cheap credit has created a great deal of irrational exuberance in this market, as well as fear of missing out.

Supply-constrained markets tend to have not just rising, but also volatile prices, so the odds of a price drop are fairly high.

Similarly, given what you now know about all this, what are some new-home markets buyers should look at? Is it simply a matter of looking further and further outside the core of Toronto to find affordability?

Understandably, families have been doing this since 2015, which has driven up prices across southern Ontario. Take London, for instance.

Back in early 2017, the benchmark home price was less than $250,000. It has since tripled, to $750,000, in just five years. Any families driving until they qualify must travel much further than they did just a few years ago.

What are some of the other key takeaways from the report that homebuyers – and even the homebuilding industry – should note?

The most important is the need for governments to work together.

Policymakers have been making decisions in silos, and that needs to stop. We need not just more transparency, but more accountability.

For both groups, I would suggest that supply shortages will persist, even though home prices will be volatile and experience periods of decline. If we’re building eight new homes for every 10 new families, two are going to walk away empty-handed, and that doesn’t change if the price is $500,000 or $2 million. Ultimately, you cannot have more households than houses, and we will continue to see young families move out of the GTA if supply cannot keep up with population growth.

institute.smartprosperity.ca nexthome.ca 33

ADVICE | PERSONAL FINANCE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MORTGAGE PRE-APPROVAL PROCESS IN CANADA

From starting your home search to qualifying for a mortgage, buying your first home can feel daunting. To reduce some of the stress, mortgage pre-approval is a great way to kickstart the homebuying process.

help you budget and account for any other household expenses, including closing costs and carrying costs.

A common mistake many buyers make is forgetting to factor these additional costs into their initial budget, often leaving them in a financial bind down the road. Preapproval encourages buyers to capture all the unforeseen costs and plan better from the start so there’s no surprises.

WHAT IS MORTGAGE PRE-APPROVAL?

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM RISING INTEREST RATES

In simple terms, a mortgage preapproval is a commitment your lender makes to hold a rate and a mortgage product for up to 120 days. If you buy a home within that period, a preapproval can turn into a mortgage approval, pending certain conditions are met. Getting pre-approved means your lender has reviewed your credit history, employment income and other key factors to verify your financial stability and conditionally approve your eligibility for a mortgage. Essentially, lenders do this to get a better sense of your level of risk as a borrower to determine whether they should provide you a mortgage loan.

As previously mentioned, your lender will hold your initial interest rate for a 120-day period when you get pre-approved. This saves you from unpredictable rate increases and guarantees that you’ll receive the initial agreed upon rate at the time of your pre-approval. This also gives buyers the ability to make a purchase without rushing or delaying the transaction.

Currently in Canada, we’re seeing interest rates rise for the first time since 2020, with the expectation that further increases are possible. If you are planning to buy in 2022, getting pre-approved is a smart move to ensure you’re locking in a mortgage at a favourable rate.

JESSE ABRAMS

GET INSIGHT INTO YOUR HOME AFFORDABILITY

Getting pre-approved sets the record straight on what you can afford from the get-go. It saves time and helps to guide your home search so that you’re shopping in neighbourhoods you can actually afford to buy in. It also manages your expectations and doesn’t put you in a position where you’re going to overspend. Based on what your down payment is, it can 34 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

MOVE ONE STEP CLOSER TO FINAL APPROVAL

It’s important to remember that preapprovals are conditional and never 100 per cent promised. If you fail to maintain the requirements set by your lender, you can be denied final mortgage approval. To ensure that you meet all of your lender’s criteria, it’s recommended to avoid: • Making large purchases on credit

• Applying for new credit • Leaving or switching your job • Failing to respond to lender requests • Agreeing to co-sign a loan Avoiding these mistakes will make the mortgage process easier and bring you one step closer to becoming a homeowner.

HOW DO YOU GET PRE-APPROVED FOR A MORTGAGE IN CANADA?

If you’re thinking about getting preapproved for a mortgage, the first step would be to head to a mortgage company that can help. They should be able to walk you through the process, explain all the steps involved and get you pre-approved in a matter of days. At Homewise, we’ve brought the entire mortgage process online – and made it simple, quick and free.

After understanding your financial situation and long-term goals, our team of dedicated mortgage advisors work with more than 30 banks and lenders to find you the best options available in the market so you can lock in a mortgage that aligns with your needs.

As a first-time homebuyer, the mortgage process can appear to be complex – but it doesn’t have to be.

The key is to educate yourself on what’s involved so that you can be fully prepared and confident in the journey ahead.

Jesse Abrams is Co-Founder at Homewise, a mortgage advisory and brokerage firm. thinkhomewise.com

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ADVICE | HOME REALTY

NEW HOME OR CONDO: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

DEBBIE COSIC

If you are shopping for a new home or condominium for the first time, or even if you’re a seasoned buyer considering alternative options, it’s wise to know what exactly you’ll own.

When you select a freehold lowrise home, you own the house and the lot it sits on. Buying a condominium, however, means you own an individual suite and an interest in the common elements of the condo corporation.

Unit owners also share in the costs involved in maintaining the common areas, and they agree to restrictions set out by the condominium board on what they can and can’t do as far as their suites and the common areas are concerned.

One interesting point for condo owners is that they don’t actually “own” their suite until the building is registered with the municipality.

In the interim, they pay an interim occupancy monthly fee to the builder that covers the estimated municipal taxes for the unit, maintenance expenses and the interest on the unpaid balance. There is a third scenario, in which lowrise freehold homes have a condominium component with shared maintenance costs for snow clearing, landscaping or exterior upkeep.

ARE BOTH COVERED BY THE TARION WARRANTY?

Ontario new home and condo buyers enjoy one-, two- and seven-year warranty coverage by Tarion. The one-year covers items such as Ontario Building Code violations and defective

Amacon Voya 2

workmanship. The two-year coverage protects against water penetration through the basement or foundation walls, defects in the electrical, plumbing and heating systems, defects in exterior cladding and more. The seven-year component has to do with major structural defects. The common elements in condominiums are also covered, as are delayed closings, delayed occupancies and some deposit protection. Last year, Tarion increased several coverage limits to provide even better protection for homeowners. For details, visit tarion.com.

HOW DOES HOME INSURANCE WORK?

Most people understand house insurance for single-family residences, but it is different for condominiums. First, your condo maintenance fees cover insurance for the building itself, including items such as the driveway, common areas, garage and roof. This will all be explained in the condominium declaration purchasers receive. Suite owners, however, are responsible to insure everything from their suite’s walls in. This includes your furniture and possessions (contents), but

also the floors, counters, fixtures – anything that is attached to the suite itself. You are wise to hire an insurance company that handles condominiums and understands the ins and outs.

RESOURCES

An educated home buyer is a happy one. Find out as much as you can before you sign on the dotted line. The Condominium Authority of Ontario’s website (condoauthorityontario.ca) offers a Residential Condominium Buyers’ Guide. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) also provides Homebuying Step by Step, and CMHC’s Condominium Buying Guide, at cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

Debbie Cosic is CEO and founder of In2ition Realty. She has overseen the sale of more than $15 billion worth of real estate. With Debbie at its helm, In2ition has become one of the fastest-growing and most innovative new home and condo sales companies. in2ition.ca

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nexthome.ca 35

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

OSHAWA & WHITBY GROWING APPEAL OF THESE HOMEBUYING DESTINATIONS

by WAYNE KARL As prospective homebuyers have looked outside the Toronto core in search of more affordable homes, many of them are heading east.

Communities such as Oshawa and Whitby have plenty going for them – close enough to Toronto to benefit from easy transit and highway access, but also sufficiently distant to boast their own small-town characteristics.

Indeed, in its 2022 Housing Market Outlook, ReMax cites Durham Region as one of the strongest areas in the entire province in terms of price growth. Average prices in Durham rose 29 per cent in 2021 to $914,548, from $706,810 in 2020. The company forecasts another seven-per-cent increase in 2022 to $978,566.

By comparison, average prices in London jumped 30 per cent in 2021 to $633,700 from $487,500; and in Brampton, 25 per cent to $1.08 million from $869,107. Toronto experienced a modest seven-percent increase year-over-year, to $1.05 million from $986,085 in 2020.

As for the new home market, the Building Industry and Land Development Association reports new condo sales in Durham are also on the rise – to 62 units in January 2022, compared to 44 in January 2021 and 27 in 2020.

What’s the appeal in the east?

Convenient natural location just east of Toronto along Hwy. 401 is among the reasons, with Pickering just 40 km from downtown, Ajax 46, Whitby 59 and Oshawa 62. Living in these areas and commuting into the city is a real option – particularly with recent GO Transit improvements and the expansion of Hwy. 407.

EXPANDING ATTRACTIONS

As with any growing municipalities, these areas also offer expanding amenity and retail options. The Oshawa Centre, for example, is the largest shopping complex in Durham and is home to more than 230 outlets. And in downtown Oshawa, of course, there’s a variety of unique shops and restaurants.

Nature is also front and centre, as Oshawa is home to wildlife preserves such as the Pumphouse Marsh, Second Marsh and McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve.

Oshawa Botanical Gardens boasts North America’s largest contemporary peony collection, and on Oshawa’s Lake Ontario shoreline, Lakeview Park offers many picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields, a waterfront pier and sandy beaches.

In Whitby, more than 100 parks more than 60 kilometres of trails, including the Bio-Diversity Trail, the Cullen Central Park Trails, Otter Creek Trail and the Whitby Shores Waterfront Trail, await residents.

HOME PRICE GROWTH MARKET OSHAWA Condominiums Aggregate WHITBY Condominiums Aggregate

Q4 ‘20

Q3 ‘21

Q4 ’21

Q/Q % CHG

YR/YR % CHG

$372,500 $662,200

$460,200 $807,000

$457,200 $850,500

-0.7 5.4

22.7 28.4

$503,300 $841,800

$617,400 $1.00M

$640,900 $1.04M

3.8 4.9

27.3 24.6

SOURCE: ROYAL LEPAGE HOUSE PRICE SURVEY AND MARKET SURVEY FORECAST

36 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

+ LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Located east of Toronto, east GTA comprises Pickering, 40 km from Toronto, population 91,771; Ajax 46, population 121,780; Whitby 59 km, population of 128,377; Oshawa 62 km, population 159,458.

KEY LANDMARKS Casino Ajax Claremont Conservation Area Frenchman’s Bay Greenwood Conservation Area Petticoat Creek Pickering Town Centre Veterans’ Point Garden SELECT CONDO DEVELOPMENTS Axess Condos

By Liberty Hamlets Inc. axesscondopickering.ca FourSixteen Condos

By Kaleido Developments 416whitby.com Oshawa Condo

By Karmina Developments karminadevelopments.com Treehouse Condos

By Karmina Developments karminadevelopments.com UC Tower 3 Condos

By Tribute Communities mytribute.ca The Landing Whitby Harbour

By Cartera carttera.com

ADVICE | WESTERN VIEW

WEHBA CELEBRATES INDUSTRY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT FIRST IN-PERSON GATHERING IN TWO YEARS MIKE COLLINS-WILLIAMS

More than 320 leaders from the home building and construction industries recently attended the West End Home Builders’ Association (WEHBA) Annual Industry Luncheon. After two years of small get togethers and virtual experiences, guests were pleased to be back in person for one of the largest events in the industry.

Keynote Speaker, The Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, delivered strong remarks about all levels of government needing to take coordinated action to address the housing crisis. “We need to make it easier and less expensive to build all types of housing faster, so that hard-working Ontarians can find a home that meets their needs and budget. It’s crucial that all levels of government take coordinated, prohousing action to make it easier for all Ontarians to find the home that’s right for them.”

Three weeks after the Ontario government introduced several initiatives to accelerate the construction of new homes and increase supply and affordability options, Clark highlighted the urgent need to identify and implement additional measures to address the housing supply crisis.

“We know Ontario is the best place to live, start a business, and raise a family,” Clark said. “But we can only build on our progress if all hardworking Ontarians are able to find a home they can afford. Once the ink was dry on More Homes,

More Choice, I was hard at work planning for our second housing supply action plan because we know there is no silver bullet to the housing crisis.”

WEHBA President Bianca Bruzzese also addressed the assembly, and delivered updates on the association’s growth and transformation over the past two years. “Our membership has thrived. Corporate support from our partners is greater than ever. And we have seen significant growth and diversification within our builder member group, providing an excellent representation of the homes that our members build for this Community and the homes that buyers aspire to purchase.”

Bruzzese also discussed the housing supply crisis and the importance of providing a safe and accessible community for our children and generations to come.

“We, as an association, want to collaborate with all stakeholders and all levels of government to provide attainable housing options for home buyers today and for generations to come. We need to build 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years. So, let’s work together to get it done.”

Every year during the Industry Luncheon, the West End Home Builders’ Association recognizes a distinguished member, by inducting them into the Association’s Hall of Fame. The WEHBA Hall of Fame was instituted in 1990 for the purpose of recognizing those members who have historically made outstanding and lasting contributions to the Association, the community or the industry. The 2022 Inductee, Diane Murray, made history as the first woman to be inducted into the WEHBA Hall of Fame. Murray, who

served as a board member between 2002 and 2004, and also served for many years on the executive of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA), is also the recipient of multiple association awards.

This year, the West End Home Builders’ Association is also celebrating the 80th anniversary of its founding in 1942. WEHBA was formed in a time period when new home growth in the HamiltonHalton region exploded and the need for a professional association that would establish high standards for new homebuilding was prominent. This year, in the midst of one of the gravest housing crisis’ the province has ever seen, WEHBA has been working closely with Industry partners and the provincial government to provide more housing attainability and choice.

Mike Collins-Williams, RPP, MCIP, is CEO West End Home Builders’ Association. westendhba.ca.

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nexthome.ca 37

BUILDER PROFILE | DANFORTH VILLAGE

THE DAWES MARLIN SPRING SETS THE BAR WITH A MODERN RESIDENTIAL OPPORTUNITY EAST OF MAIN Marlin Spring continues to expand its residential portfolio with the launch of The Dawes in Danforth Village. This new mixed-use residential community will total 631 condominium residences split between two buildings, at 38 and 24 storeys, respectively. Included will be more than 27,000 sq. ft. of amenity spaces, as well as more than 17,000 sq. ft. of retail and office space, a new public park and a more than 11,000-sq.-ft. new daycare facility within a reimagined two-storey heritage site.

Award-winning architectural firm IBI Group was inspired by the superior transit commissions in the community to create a real transitoriented development similar to a European lifestyle where residents are able to get anywhere seamlessly, without the need for a car.

Special consideration was also given to the integration of the existing heritage building on site. The historic grain silo structure has been 38 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

retained and fully integrated into the new podium, along with an exciting program that will bring this structure back to life in a two-storey daycare facility, enhanced with a new public urban park for all to enjoy.

The entire scale and materiality of the podium has been designed to respond and complement the heritage component. The sequence of multi-storey vertical windows and the stone piers are both reminiscent of the warehouse typology found near the railway land. The continuous retail frontages at grade will provide for lively street animation while the wider sidewalk and boulevard on Dawes will complement and enhance the pedestrian experience.

Interiors at The Dawes were conceived by award-winning design firm U31. “When considering the common areas and amenity spaces at The Dawes, our goal was to provide flexibility, adaptability and, of course, a memorable experience,” says U31 Partner Kelly Cray.

“Highlights include a doubleheight lobby lounge, featuring a spectacular fireplace that drops from the ceilings, making it the focal point for residents to cosy up to. The pale wood scalloped ceiling will also be a feature, with recessed linear lighting that hovers above, and unifies the lounge and concierge area.”

When it comes to the suite finishes, U31 incorporated a holistic approach, extending the overall design language into the suites by including warm woods, stone countertops and graphics in the bathrooms.

With more than 27,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor amenities, The Dawes will offer residents a focus on smart living, wellness and creative work from home spaces.

This comprehensive offering will also include a welcoming residential lobby with the convenience of parcel rooms, a robust two-storey fitness studio with weights, machines, spin bikes, a yoga studio and boxing facility. An indoor and outdoor kids’

Park and Coleman Park. Greek Town and The Beaches are only an eightminute walk away, and Michael Garon Hospital is an eight-minute drive.

The Danforth Village will be enhanced with the completion of the new subway stations, LRT lines, buses and streetcar lines. The Dawes is only five stops away from Pape station, which enables access to the entire city of Toronto.

It’s easy to see why there are more than 5,000 residential

units proposed for this incredible neighbourhood. The Dawes is a rare opportunity to get into a great location early, because the market is awaking to its potential as this new evolution takes shape.

The two-phased Dawes community launches this spring, featuring 631 residential suites ranging from 367 to more than 1,360 sq. ft.

To register and for further information, visit thedawes.com.

area has been specially designed for residents and their guests of all ages.

An indoor dining lounge, a screening room, social lounge, co-work area, games room, artmaker studio, meeting room, library lounge, pet wash, outdoor dining with barbecues, and outdoor lounge round off this expansive lifestyle amenity program.

The Dawes has a near perfect transit score of 95, with both the Main Street subway station and Danforth GO station just a short five-minute walk away, and endless connections to the entire city. With a walking score of 95 as well, the neighbourhood has an abundance of recreational, convenient and entertaining location amenities just a short stroll away. Danforth Village, known for its popular restaurants and vibrant community, is only a twominute walk from the project. In less than 10 minutes by foot, residents will be able to access several area parks, including Taylor Creek Park, Dentonia Park, Maryland Park, Goodwood nexthome.ca 39

BUILDER PROFILE | NORTH OSHAWA

Artist Concept

TRIBUTE UC TOWER 3 IT TAKES AN IDEA TO TRANSFORM A CITY As one of Canada’s fastest growing cities in 2022, Oshawa has become a diverse urban centre buzzing with energy and anticipation. The city’s GDP has seen a rapid increase of an astonishing 4.7 per cent, and just this past year, Oshawa was voted the No. 1 Place to Live In Durham, according to Maclean’s magazine.

Perhaps Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter put it best when he said, “The rest of Canada is discovering why so many of us are proud to live, work, and learn in our great city.”

Today, it seems as though the city of Oshawa just might

Artist Concept

40

condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

be Canada’s best kept secret. Offering homebuyers unprecedented value, optimal access to services and convenient transit options, sprawling protected greenspaces and trails, world-class education and, of course, strong employment growth.

Not too long ago, Oshawa was a suburban factory town, a humble community of modest, interconnected neighbourhoods amidst an expanse of fields and greenspaces. It was home to those who worked and played across southern Ontario, but where some saw a sleepy suburb, others saw a landscape brimming with opportunity.

Enter Tribute Communities. In partnership with one of Canada’s largest real estate investment trusts – RioCan Living – Tribute sought to realize Oshawa’s immense and untapped potential by creating the city’s first true milestone community. One that would stand as a testament to the highest facets of connected, contemporary urban family living. A grand vision to create a new city centre brimming with vibrancy, in what would become Oshawa’s future uptown core. It was this transformative notion that would spark an unprecedented citywide change, and continue to have a profound impact over a decade after its inception. Consequently, the U.C. community was born.

Opening for sale in 2013, the first iteration of U.C. was a sizable undertaking of more than 2,000 townhomes, semis and detached-singles. A vibrant streetscape of the city’s best home designs was sewn into a tapestry of vast natural spaces, preserved with parks, ponds, and an expansive network of trails weaved throughout the community itself. Beyond becoming Oshawa’s greatest residential sales success, it laid the foundations for five more low and highrise phases, and helped create the infrastructure for Oshawa’s largest retail development with RioCan Windfields, just moments away. In all, the whole of U.C. has brought thousands of new residents to Oshawa, and continues to attract more.

To date, the U.C. community represents Oshawa’s total transformation into one of southern Ontario’s most prolific urban hubs. Building on a foundation of excellence to create a new expression of contemporary and connected living. Its ideal location places it just moments from landmark institutions such as Ontario Tech University and Durham College, the city’s best retail opportunities, the diverse eateries of Simcoe St., cherished protected greenspaces and conservation areas, ideal local and regional transit, and convenient access to Hwys. 401, 407, and 412.

Now, Tribute Communities has announced the newest extension of the acclaimed U.C. community is coming soon with U.C. Tower 3. Sharing a podium with its rapidly sold-out predecessor, U.C. Tower 2, this new addition has been meticulously designed to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. Offering a medley of suite designs ideal for both families and young professionals, world-class amenity spaces, refined features, upscale finishes and so much more, U.C. Tower 3 is quickly becoming the city’s most anticipated condominium opportunity yet.

Residents will enjoy a truly comprehensive living experience, with renowned spaces such as an expansive fitness centre, outdoor terrace, dedicated yoga and meditation areas, private party and dining rooms, an innovative tech/work lounge, beautifully appointed guest suites for visitors, a convenient pet spa, and so much more.

Better still, residents will embrace the pristine greenspaces and trails embedded throughout the entire U.C. community.

For everything one could want, Tribute Communities has truly gone above and beyond to create what is nothing less than the finest condominium community in Oshawa.

Tribute Communities is an award-winning builder with more than 35-years of experience, building more than 35,000 homes and condominiums across the GTA. Tribute consistently creates unique high- and lowrise communities that are always above industry standards for excellence and design. The company has an outstanding reputation that has been recognized with many top industry awards.

For more information on U.C. Tower 3 or to discover Tribute’s many other fine communities, please visit mytribute.ca.

Artist Concept

nexthome.ca 41

BUILDER PROFILE | YORKDALE

EXPRESS 2 MALIBU INTRODUCES THE NEXT CHAPTER OF CONDOMINIUMS ON THE SUBWAY Malibu’s next chapter in the North York-Yorkdale Neighbourhood is set to launch with Express 2.

Malibu has been hard at work in the Wilson-Tippett neighbourhood.

Following the success of Gramercy Park, Southside and Express, Malibu is now introducing its next chapter with the launch of Express 2 Condominiums on the Subway.

Located on Tippett Road, just steps to the Wilson Subway Station, Express 2 is all about connectivity in a dynamic and multi-layered community.

Express 2 is designed to deliver an enviable living experience. Set next to a new community park, its modern architecture complements the surrounding area and its sister building Express. The sixstorey podium surrounds a private landscaped courtyard that features barbecues and seating, with a South and North tower rising above to 13 and 16 storeys, respectively. With unique suite designs, reimagined amenities and services, Express 2 offers the best of all worlds.

42 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

One of the best things about Express 2 is its proximity to transit.

With a walkway to Wilson Subway Station and easy access to the 400 series highways, every place in the city and beyond is either a quick transit ride or drive away. These transit connections also ensure seamless connectivity to both educational and employment opportunities.

TRANSIT SCORE 100: • 2-MIN WALK: WILSON SUBWAY STATION • GO TRANSIT • YORKDALE TERMINAL: 1 SUBWAY STOP

In fact, York University is just an 11-minute subway ride, Centennial Downsview Campus seven minutes, and Seneca College at York U 11 minutes, to mention just a few.

Express 2’s proximity to so many post-secondary institutions make it a great option for students and faculty members alike.

The Wilson-Tippett area is undergoing a dynamic transformation that boasts great investment potential.

The neighbourhood has been earmarked by the City as a growth area. This will significantly increase the desirability and livability of the area. And that means – more jobs, more convenience, more excitement.

Express 2’s convenient location ensures residents enjoy the best of city living. With its proximity to first-class shopping, dining, parks and recreational amenities, it offers the perfect blend of liveliness and tranquility, all in one vibrant community. From everyday necessities to designer brands, Express 2 is minutes from the shopping mecca of Yorkdale Mall and SmartCentres. And for those who enjoy the great outdoors, nearby Downsview Park, Earl Bales Park and the neighbouring new Tippett Park bring nature close to home. The new Tippett Park features a children’s playground, water park, open lawn space,

seating area and workout area.

Greenspace right in your backyard.

Express 2 features condo living at its finest. Its thoughtfully designed suites (all with balconies) include modern finishes and open concept living.

Kitchens feature custom cabinetry and quartz countertops with islands incorporating storage and dining.

The carefully composed amenities address the needs of residents.

The welcoming Lobby at Express 2 has 24-hour concierge with the management office nearby to deal with residents’ needs. The seventh floor Sky Lounge is a beautiful outdoor space with a feature water wall for the perfect lounge setting to gather with friends, or residents can find tranquility in the butterfly meadow. There are also sun loungers and seating surrounded by lush landscaping.

If residents need a quiet place to work remotely or study, or even a coworking space, Express 2 delivers.

There are two Wi-Fi Lounges at Express located on the seventh floor of both towers. There is a quiet Wi-Fi lounge located in the North tower and a more congenial Wi-Fi lounge in the South Tower, both overlooking the Sky Lounge.

The Party Room at Express is the perfect place to celebrate with friends and family, plus there is much fun to be had in the adjoining

Karaoke/Sports Lounge. A private dining room with kitchen allows residents to host the perfect

Overlooking the private courtyard and new Tippett Park with walkway to Wilson Subway Station.

dinner party. There is a kids’ indoor playroom, a fully-equipped fitness centre with CrossFit and boxing equipment plus yoga studio, pet spa and bike repair room. When it comes to amenities, Malibu has thought of everything.

Surrounded by a thriving neighbourhood abounding in opportunities, close to everyday conveniences, higher learning institutions, recreational facilities and parks, Express 2 reflects Malibu’s vision for the WilsonTippett master-planned community.

Steps to the Wilson Subway Station, with a City plan that promotes connectivity, comfortable living both indoor and outdoor, Express 2 is your ticket to a great life.

Register now at express2condos.ca nexthome.ca 43

ADVICE REAL ESTATE PRO LOREM | IPSUM IF NEEDED

MANY REASONS TO BUY A PRE-CONSTRUCTION HOME OR CONDO

BARBARA LAWLOR

I often advise homebuyers to purchase new, for many reasons.

The first that comes to mind is Tarion Warranty Corp. coverage for those who buy in Ontario. And oh, don’t a lot of resale purchasers wish they had that?

Previously called the Ontario New Home Warranty Program, Tarion is a consumer protection organization that administers our province’s warranty program. By law, all new homes built in Ontario are provided with this warranty. Among the provisions are deposit protection, delayed closing coverage, and work and materials coverage for up to seven years. For details on these aspects, and the complete coverage, visit tarion.com.

Then, you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your new home or condo will be built to Ontario Building Code.

The OBC is updated regularly, so your new home is built to the latest construction, technological and materials standards. It is also more energy-efficient than ever before.

Aside from the expense, think about the hassle of bringing a resale home up to your standards.

If you buy early enough in the pre-construction cycle to select your features and finishes, your house or condominium suite will feel like home right away. Today’s appointments are more gorgeous than ever before.

44

condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

Plus, when you walk into your new home or suite, everything is fresh and clean. You are the first to live in these surroundings and use the appliances and fixtures. It is a wonderful feeling, like slipping into a brand-new car for the first time.

Buying pre-construction also means you get the best choice of lots, layouts, floorplans and views.

This is a huge advantage, especially for green thumbs planning on doing a lot of gardening (even in a condo), families with children and in general, anyone at all who has lifestyle preferences. Today’s layouts are efficient, functional and beautiful.

Buyers usually have specific needs and wants, so getting in early, while the choices are optimum is a great idea.

Buying pre-construction means you can take advantage of the best prices. And speaking of prices, as the developer begins construction and the community progresses, you can build equity as well, maybe even before you move in. In the long run, equity in real estate is a wise investment. We have all seen how well buyers have done financially over the past few years.

And with a new home community or condominium, your move-in date is likely several months to a few years in the future, which gives you time to save toward your purchase.

New home and condo communities are popping up in spectacular locations across the GTA. Exterior architecture varies from traditional to contemporary and downright modern – so there is something out there for everyone.

This is wonderful news for buyers

DUO Condos in Brampton,

by National Homes

who live in their purchase and for investors who want to appeal to the spectrum of renters. As always, my advice is to buy new and buy now.

Barbara Lawlor is CEO of Baker Real Estate Inc. A member of the Baker team since 1993, she oversees the marketing and sales of new home and condominium developments in the GTA, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal, and internationally in Shanghai. baker-re.com

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advice | ReaLTY iNSideR

Spurline Common, by Reid’s Heritage Homes

LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE WHEN MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES RISE

MIcHAEL KLAssEN

The doom-and-gloomers are out in full force, reporting likely additional increases in Canadian interest rates.

(On March 2, the Bank of Canada hiked its influential overnight rate target to 0.50 per cent from 0.25 per cent, where it has been since 2018).

Their apparent object is to mine negativity and instill unnecessary fear. In fact, interest rates may rise further this year, but this hardly merits panic in the homebuying market. In fact, the increases are necessary to help control inflation, so it’s important to look at the big picture.

First, some homeowners will come out ahead of the game when rates rise. Take a look at those who obtained a five-year fixed mortgage

five years ago. The average interest rate was 4.64 per cent back then, and today it’s anywhere from 2.7 to 3.0 per cent. When they renew this year, even if rates increase, they’ll still be better off than their current rate.

Then consider people who locked into a mortgage during the COVID lockdown. They probably settled for a rate between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent. When they go to renew within the next five years, they may have to pay a higher rate – but they also have five years of appreciation on their property, as well as five years of principal paydown. Those who purchase pre-construction homes or condos often earn equity even before they take possession.

The thing is, we don’t know for sure what will happen. If the rates increase at a reasonable pace over the next few years, we’ll ease into the situation in a positive way. There won’t be a market crash, which happens when rates go up too quickly. And frankly, talk to previous

generations of homebuyers who paid mortgage rates as high as 20 plus per cent when that happened back in the 1980s and 1990s. Most of these homeowners never dreamed they’d see single-digit rates again, and they’re astounded at how long our current low rates have been around.

Even if rates go up two per cent over the next year or two, we will still be at historically low rates.

There is simply no need to panic when you read about rising interest rates in Canada. Look at the big picture, keep calm and carry on making one of the best lifestyle and financial investments of your life – real estate.

Michael Klassen is the Broker of Record, Eleven Eleven Real Estate Services. Based in Toronto, this firm is a residential preconstruction listing brokerage. 1111realty.ca

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nexthome.ca 45

ADVICE | CONDO DESIGN

VERTICAL LIVING IN A VIRTUAL WORLD

TANIA RICHARDSON

Condo living has rapidly evolved and transformed the way we lived during the last two years. Prior to the pandemic, we designed large, open communal spaces for community living. Today, the criteria for condo dwellers has drastically changed because of the new narrative of living a life focused on health and wellness.

Designers for condominium communities are now mandated to re-evaluate our design formula for common amenities and shared spaces, from social distancing, segregated and smaller common amenity rooms, gyms and workspaces to breakout pods in libraries and individual Wi-Fi study zones. The need for more bicycle storage and bicycle parking is also being addressed. Touchless technology, such as hands-free door sensors and virtual concierges, is being integrated into condo buildings, as well. We are incorporating larger storage rooms for parcel and mail pick-ups and refrigerated rooms for grocery dropoff and pick-up.

Luxurious condominium projects are incorporating more contemporary spaces for relaxation, meditation and self-reflection, including spa-like wellness facilities. Another example involves replacing regular terraces or garden patios with gardening centres where residents can grow their own food.

Dedicated space for children and teens is now important for vertical

46 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

communities to thrive and grow. We have taken children’s spaces to a whole new level with indoor yearround spaces that cater to families.

These may include fun fantasy play spaces filled with sensory activities, climbing walls, playhouses, theatres, whimsical art installations and virtual and video arcade lounges. The younger generation in condos now have their own sense of identity with gathering spaces that inspire them to form bonds for years to come.

We have also seen a major shift in decor colour preferences, from cool monochromatic tones to earthy warm colours and textures inspired by Mother Nature. A spectrum of warmer tones, such as desert sand, copper, bronze and gold, will continue to grow in popularity because they bring the outdoors in and provide a grounded and balanced ambiance.

Natural light, textures, minimalism, nature and simplicity are all elements we are seeing incorporated into new condominium buildings.

Organic modern design inspired by nature has been linked with reducing stress, improving our cognitive wellbeing and creativity, and inducing a more harmonious living environment.

The design world has seen a significant shift toward biophilic elements. Biophilic design refers to blurring the lines of indoor and outdoor spaces. This simple concept is being introduced by opening up common amenity areas and integrating them with outdoor patio spaces. By incorporating organic materials and natural textures, as well earthy elements such as plants, water and fire, we create spaces that are thoughtful, relaxing and promote a more balanced mindset.

Groove Condos

Nowadays, functionality overrides opulence, and comfort dominates design. More so than ever, our private dwellings and quality of life in vertical communities have become the pinnacle of our mental well-being.

We live, sleep, play, recharge, and recentre in our private abodes and shared common amenities.

Our priorities have been revisited, re-evaluated and revised.

Organization, functionality and dualpurpose dwelling are now a focus. We have adopted a “less is more” mindset as we create Zen-inspired spaces that focus on overall health and well-being. This is an exciting time to embrace the simplicity of vertical living in a virtual world.

Tania Richardson is CEO and Co-founder of Tomas Pearce Interior Design, an international interior design firm based in Toronto. tomaspearce.com

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Photo : CIOT Tile : Ego Collection in Grigio Scuro ciot.com

INTERIORS

IN THIS SECTION:

HOME LIFE | DECOR | STYLE

47

INSPIRATION |

decor

PATTERN PLAY MIXING PATTERNS LIKE A PRO

by LINdA MAzuR

Spring is here, and with it traditionally comes a new array of wonderfully stylish inspiring fabrics bursting with colours, textures and some of the most incredible patterns.

As a designer, I look forward to the start of a new project. I enjoy pouring over fabric books gathering ideas and direction, and have been known to design an entire space from the inspiration of just one fabric.

48 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

Fabric is tactile, and as such, the feel of lush velvets, the beauty of some richly woven silks and the simplicity and texture of coarsely woven linen accompanied by rich, saturated colours is enough to inspire anyone to decorate. However, the question is: With all these fabrics and patterns to select from, how do you know what works together to achieve that “designer look” in your home?

To successfully mix patterns in your space, remember to vary the scale of the patterns from small to large, as well as to maintain the same depth or magnitude of colour. By that, I mean if you’re working with primary colours, try not to incorporate fabrics that are pastels, as you will inevitably create an imbalance. Generally, if you start with blending a minimum of three fabric patterns, you shouldn’t have any problems.

The first pattern selection should be your most impactful one, so choose carefully and select a pattern that is larger scaled. The second pattern should be completely different, about half the scale of the first one and have some of the same colours incorporated throughout. For the third selection, it can be smaller scale and similar in pattern to either of the first two, with at least two to three of the same colours.

For example, if you have selected a large scale floral as your first pattern, the second could be a bold stripe or a geometric fretwork pattern, and then blend in another small scale floral for the third, or an alternative smaller geometric. Consider adding another pattern or two, or three, if you wish; maybe a small check, a dot is always favourable, or something in a solid small scale texture. If you’re more adventurous, consider throwing an animal print into the mix for a bit of fun.

When combining and layering patterns, it’s important to balance them throughout your space. The last thing you want is to create a situation where the heavier weight of patterns are all at one end of the room. They should be well proportioned with solids and any other visible patterns in your room, such as area rugs, wall coverings and fireplace surrounds, to provide equilibrium and an aesthetically pleasing look. Also, when pairing up your choices, it’s important to consider the “feel” of the fabrics you are selecting. Are they formal or more casual?

Dabbling in pattern blending can be fun, and fabrics can make a bold statement in your home.

Mixing fabrics like a pro is all about balance, layering and blending.

When it’s done well, contrasting patterns and textures can elevate your space beyond the typical to a fresh, innovative and welcoming

home. Toiles, stripes, florals, ikats and jacquards… there are so many different patterns, scales and colours that can be beautifully blended to complement your room and add that “designer touch.”

Just remember to keep a common element throughout and watch your home come alive.

Linda Mazur is an award-winning, nationally publicized designer and Principal of Linda Mazur Design Group. With almost two decades of experience this in demand multi-disciplinary design firm is known for creating relaxed, stylish spaces and full-scale design builds within Toronto, the GTA and throughout Canada. lindamazurdesign.com @LindaMazurGroup nexthome.ca 49

INSPIRATION |

big style

SPRING 2022

BEST OUTDOOR DECOR TRENDS

FOR

by LISA ROGERS

Those of us lucky enough to have outdoor spaces know how integral being outside in the fresh air is to our well-being. Come springtime, with the promise of longer days and flowers blooming, it’s a great season to set up your outdoor space so it’s ready for the warm months ahead.

Our connections to our homes have never been more important than now, and spring is an opportune time to carefully choose what you want to surround yourself with, giving you a serene sense of calm and comfort.

Many of the outdoor decor trends for spring 2022 can easily fit any space style (or size).

50 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

Here are some of my favourite ideas, and cheers to us all soon living life in the outdoors!

BRING SOME OF YOUR INDOORS OUTSIDE

Bring some of your indoor creature comforts outside, whether it’s linens on your dining table or throws and pillows in decorative and festive prints and colours. Feel inspired by whatever palette or motifs you have in your home and bring some of the feelings outside – it’s about thinking of your outdoor space as an extension of your living room. I also love stringing sets of bistro lights everywhere in

my backyard to give off a soft and relaxing glow or the simplicity of using one of my fancy crystal vases on my patio table and filling it with wildflowers and lilac bunches I find in my yard.

OPT FOR MULTI-PURPOSE FURNISHINGS

Flexibility and modularity are essential for outdoor furnishings, and thankfully outdoor retailers are taking this into account. Whether you have a balcony, patio or deck, think about dual-purpose items, such as ceramic or stone stools, which can be multipurposed as a table, and stackable

chairs for when company pops by. Or go all the way with a table that works double-duty as a fire pit.

TRY NATURAL ACCENTS

Wicker, rattan, cane, and jute are still trending strong for the spring/ summer season because of their light texture and shape. My advice is to select one or two touches of something woven into your space and not go too overboard; otherwise, it can come across too scattered.

Some fabulous jute outdoor rugs, accent chairs or side tables create a stunning visual contrast to composite decking, grass or wood. In addition to the design and choice of materials, this trend also pays attention to the use of colour. Natural tones, such as terracotta and beige, also are making their way outside. Pampas grass or bamboo are perfect for a sunny terrace. Or for gardens, think of boxwoods, cherry laurel, azalea, wintergreen or common ivy.

BUILD A QUIET GARDEN

A garden full of flowers in soothing colours or the gentle sounds of swaying ornamental grasses – each lends a strong sense of peace and tranquility. If you’re looking to create a little space of serenity, plant a series of taller grasses (such as bluestem) and lower grasses such as carex, then line the border with impatiens or petunias. It’s relaxed, natural and makes it feel like you’re in a wild garden.

If you don’t have the space for a full garden, a terrace full of plants always works. Not only does it provide added privacy to your area, it can also give that sense of living in a garden full of greenery. Terracotta also works well in combination with natural style. Put different terracotta pots with plants in one corner, or place some pots on raised stands and others on the ground. You will create a fun and tropical space by playing with the height difference.

GO BOHEMIAN ON YOUR BALCONY

In a small space, it’s always better to opt for a few oversized items than to fill the entire area with smaller ones. The same principle goes for balconies. If you don’t have much space, you don’t have to sacrifice cosy seating because of it. The Acapulco chair is stylish and has a timeless design, and it’s also very comfortable to sit in. Add an outdoor ottoman (which can work as a chair and table) and a small carpet to create texture and comfort.

Lisa Rogers is Executive Vice-President of Design for Dunpar Homes (dunparhomes.com). Lisa has shared her style and design expertise on popular television programs such as Canadian Living TV, House & Home TV and as a regular guest expert for fashion and image, health and wellness and design on CityTV’s Cityline. Follow Lisa’s blog at craftedbylisa.ca nexthome.ca 51

Wallflower INSPIRATION |

home life

by SARA DUCK

Spruce up your space with spring-inspired floral wallpaper

N

o doubt you are familiar with the classic spring saying, “April showers, bring May flowers.” We hold on to the hope that

by May, boom, everything will be in bloom, and suddenly all is right in our world. But don’t you wish you could capture that special spring feeling at home all year round? Besides your budding plant family, incorporating floral wallpaper will give you that springtime look, toute l’année.

When choosing the right floral wallpaper, remember to select a motif that you won’t tire of. Although wallpaper has come a long way in terms of installation (hello, peel and stick!), it still takes time and effort to hang correctly. So, it’s a good idea to get a sample piece before you commit to an entire wall. And, speaking of walls, remember, less is more when working with florals. For example, you may (in a burst of spring fever) have a desire to wallpaper an entire room. While this is definitely a bold statement, you may find it overwhelming over time. Choosing to create one feature wall in a space will give you the look you are after without going over the top. Today you can find a variety of floral wallpaper to choose from in different styles and price points.

Here are some of our favourites.

Vintage-inspired GLASSHOUSE FLORA wallpaper in green. $195 a roll. grahamandbrown.com

PASTEL PEONIES wallpaper.

From $139. livetteswallpaper.com

MIREI peel and stick wallpaper by Wallpops. $50. homehardware.ca

With more than 15 years of experience as a magazine editor, writer and content creator, Sara brings her passion for design and decor to our pages each issue. Instagram @bysaraduck

52 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

Dark & dramatic PINK DELICATE floral removable wallpaper. From $60. livetteswallpaper.com

MEADOW FLOWERS – dark.

Samples from $3. photowall.com

PERENNIAL BLOOMS peel and stick wallpaper by RoomMates. $40 a roll. homehardware.ca

Light

and airy

FLORAL NOIR. Samples from $3. photowall.com

FIORE GREY floral unpasted wallpaper

by Walls Republic. $94 a roll. lowes.ca

FLORAL DREAM watercolour pattern non-woven wallpaper.

From $15. ebay.ca

nexthome.ca 53

1st Place Compact Kitchen Martin DeSousa

1st Place Small Kitchen Linnea Lions

1st Place Medium Kitchen Beverly Binns

1st Place Large Kitchen Glen Peloso & Elizabeth Smith

Turn your DREAM into REALITY

Why Hire an NKBA Professional: • Skills to Design and Plan Safe and Functional Kitchens and Baths • Understand the Industry Environment, Future Trends & Consumer Lifestyles

• Operate and adhere to a strict code of ethics under the guidelines of the NKBA • Utilize Industry Information for Designing & Planning • Research Building Codes and Current Industry Practices

nkba.org/chapters/ontario-canada/

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association that promotes the professionalism of the kitchen and bath industry. Established in 1963 as a network of kitchen dealers, it has grown into the premier association of distributors, retailers, remodelers, manufacturers, fabricators, installers, designers and other professionals. The NKBA’s certification program emphasizes continuing education and career development and includes designers and professionals in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry. The NKBA has become a valuable resource for both professionals and consumers.

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product showcase

n o i t a r i p s in INSPIRATION |

Home

RESTAURANT QUALITY AT HOME Shades of grey

Introducing Bahia, inspired by the contrasting light and dark grey elements forged deep under the millennium-forming geological layers. Vicostone’s quartz version is a popular choice for kitchen countertops and island benchtops, backsplash, bathroom vanities and more. Its desirable marble look makes it a unique design that will be the focal point of any project.

VICOSTONE | vicostone.ca

Inspired by faucets used in professional, commercial kitchens, BLANCO’s RIVANA Semi-pro faucet boasts a powerful pressure sprayer, flexible spring coil and quick snap magnetic docking arm for a seamless experience.

This versatile faucet, combined with BLANCO’s durable sinks and smart accessories, is the perfect Semi-pro BLANCO UNIT for passionate home chefs. BLANCO | blanco.com

House of ROHL presents a world of colours

Select from Victoria + Albert’s 30 new colours to personalize the exterior of its free-standing baths and basins, in gloss or matte finishes. Each finish is multi-layered and hand polished with rich and intense finishes to satisfy all style desires.

More durable than hand-painted surfaces, more striking in impression, Victoria + Albert colours elevate baths to greater luxury. Visit the website to view the full range of colours.

HOUSE OF ROHL | houseofrohl.ca

ADDING THE ‘WOW’ FACTOR The kitchen is the focal point in every home, so why not make it the kitchen of your dreams? Installing quartz or natural stone also adds value and beauty. BMG specializes in countertops, whether it be quartz (Caesarstone or Hanstone) or natural stone (granite, marble, quartzite). This stunning white kitchen with brass fixtures and natural stone countertop features an island with a waterfall edge. A full backsplash helps create a cohesive transition from the top of your countertop to the upper cabinets in your kitchen and really adds the “wow” factor. Visit the BMG showroom in Vaughan and view the vast selection of slabs available. BEYOND MARBLE & GRANITE | beyondmarbleandgranite.com

nexthome.ca 55

CONDO PROFILES

Express 2

Toronto

developer: Malibu style: Highrise features: • Junior 1 bed, 1 bed, 1 bed + den, 2 bed, 2 bed + den, 3 bed • Lobby with 24/7 concierge • Pet spa • Fitness room,cross fit training/boxing equipment, separate yoga studio • 7th floor Sky Lounge with water wall, butterfly meadows, loungers, seating • Steps to neighbourhood park & walkway to subway • 6 storey podium with two towers contact: express2condos.ca | 416-703-2202 location: Tippett Road and Wilson Avenue - Coming Soon!

MRKT Alexandra Park

developer: style: size: prices from: features:

Toronto

The Dawes

developer: style: size: prices from: features:

Toronto

Marlin Spring

Highrise 367 to 1,046 sq. ft.

The low $500,000s • Steps from Main Street TTC Subway Station & Danforth GO Station • Amenities focus on smart living, wellness and creative work from home spaces: 2-storey Fitness Studio, Parcel Rooms, Screening Room, Indoor and outdoor Kids’ Area, Indoor Dining /Social Lounge, Co-work, Games room, Art/Maker Studio, Meeting Room, Library Lounge, Outdoor Dining / BBQ / Lounge contact: Thedawes.com location: Danforth Village

Pinnacle Toronto Cypress

Toronto

TRIDEL

Highrise from 836-1235 Sq. Ft. $1M for 2 bedroom loft suites • Unique loft suites overlooking Kensington Market • High ceilings, large windows, premium finishes • Building amenities include: two-storey gym, swimming pool and rooftop terrace, landscaped courtyard, outdoor dining terrace and garden, kid’s zone and youth zone contact: Tridel.com location: Dundas St. W. + Denison Ave.

56 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

developer: style: size: prices from: features:

PINNACLE INTERNATIONAL

Highrise Up to 1,145 sq. ft.

The high $800,000s • Suites include 9’ ceilings, laminate flooring, quartz countertops • Suites with full size appliances • Amenities include: gym, yoga room, party room, kids play area and outdoor terrace contact: 416.596.1600 • info@PinnacleEtobicoke.ca location: 50 Thomas Riley Road (west of Kipling)

CONDO PROFILES

Gallery Towers

developer: style: size: prices from: features:

Markham

THE REMINGTON GROUP

Highrise 515 to 1,688 sq. ft.

From the $600’s • 9 Ft 10ft and 11ft ceilings • The towers offer exceptional 1, 2 and 3 bedroom residences with den options and spacious terraces with 2 storey towns • Outdoor fitness studio, outdoor dog walk, dog wash station, games room and wet bar, canopied dining with bbq areas and lounge seating • Indoor amenities games lounge, dining and party room, state of the are fitness and more contact: downtownmarkham.ca location: Warden + Enterprise

Central Park

developer: style: size: prices from: features:

North York

Branthaven

developer: style: features: prices from: features:

Oakville

BRANTHAVEN

Highrise • 20 Storeys, 349 Suites ranging from 460 – 1455 SF $600,000’s • Fully furnished indoor and outdoor amenities by II BY IV DESIGN. • 2-storey height lobby, Social & Dining Lounge, Private Meeting/Dining Room, Media Lounge, Co-work Space, Fitness, Yoga & Movement Studio.

• Rooftop Terrace, Entertainment Kitchen and Indoor Lounge.

• BH Home TechnologyTM, a Smart Home solution providing integrated building / home access and control system.

• Pet Wash Station with convenient indoor/outdoor access • Indoor Bicycle storage. contact: Branthaven.com location: 2340 William Coltson Avenue, Oakville

Bristol Place

Brampton

AMEXON DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Highrise – 12-acre, master-planned community 436 - 1,200 sq. ft. from the $600,000s • 1 Bed, 1 Bed+Den, 2 Bed, 2 Bed+Den, 3 Bed+Den • spacious layouts, terraces/balconies • Located in the Bayview Village neighbourhood • Leslie subway station and GO Transit at your door • Direct access to the East Don Parkland ravine • Central Park Common – a three-acre urban park offering year-round, outdoor event programming • 55,000 sq. ft. of resort-style amenities including coworking space, skating rink, indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, privately operated childrens’ daycare, EV charging stations in all parking areas contact: centralparktoronto.com • (416) 252-3000 location: 1200 Sheppard Avenue East

developer: style: size: features:

SOLMAR DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Highrise Starting from 432 sq. ft.

• Two 48 storey towers on a podium within a landscaped courtyard • 1 bed, 1 bed + den, 2 bed, 3 bed • Steps to Go, VIA Rail, and ZUM rapid transit • Surrounded by shopping, dining, arts and culture • Party room, gym, yoga, lounge, outdoor BBQ & dining area, work stations and more contact: bristolplacecondos.ca location: 199 Main St N, Brampton, ON L6X 1N2

nexthome.ca 57

HOT PROPERTIES | GREATER TORONTO AREA

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MAPS

CARTOGRAPHY: MARKETMAPS.COM

Match the map numbers with property listings on the following Hot Properties page

nexthome.ca 59

HOT PROPERTIES

FIND YOUR NEXT HOME

The latest properties in the Greater Toronto Area to keep your eye on

Legend: HR = High Rise CTH = City Home MR = Mid Rise LO = Loft LR = Low Rise LW= Live Work PH = Penthouse RH = Row Home TH = Townhouse

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LOCATION

SITE

TYPE

ADDRESS

CONTACT

Etobicoke..............................Mirabella ........................................................... HR ......................... 1926 Lake Shore Blvd. W. ..............................................mirabellacondos.ca Etobicoke..............................Westerly ............................................................ HR ......................... Islington & Dundas............................................................................tridel.com Etobicoke..............................Reina .................................................................. HR ......................... Royal York & The Queensway ..........................................reinacondos.com Etobicoke..............................Humberwood Heights ........................... CTH/FTH ................... 50 Humberwood Blvd. .......................................tributecommunities.com Etobicoke..............................Cypress at Pinnacle Etobicoke ................... HR ......................... 5475 Dundas St. W. ................................................pinnacleinternational.ca Etobicoke..............................Verge ................................................................. MR ......................... Islington & The Queensway ........................................... vergecondos.com Etobicoke..............................36 Zorra Condominiums.............................. MR ......................... 36 Zorra................................................................... altreedevelopments.com Markham/Unionville..........Panda Markham ............................................. HR ......................... 8200 Warden Ave. ............................................lifetimedevelopments.com Markham/Unionville..........Varley Condo Residences .............................LR.......................... 20 Fred Varley.........................................................tributecommunities.com Markham...............................Canvas on the Rouge.................................... MR ......................... Donald Cousens Pkwy & Ninth Line ................................. flatogroup.com Markham...............................Gallery Towers at Downtown Markahm .. HR ......................... 162 Enterprise Blvd. .................................................downtownmarkham.ca Mississauga ..........................Perla Towers and Amber at Pinnacle Uptown HR ......................... 5044 Hurontario St. ..............................................pinnacleinternational.ca Mississauga ..........................Oro, at Edge Towers ..................................... HR ......................... 24 Elm Dr.W..........................................................................................solmar.ca Mississauga ..........................Artform Condos.............................................. MR ......................... 86 Dundas St. E. ............................ artformbyemblemdevelopments.com Mississauga ..........................Gemma at Pinnacle Uptown....................... HR ......................... 5044 Hurontario St. .................................................... pinnacleuptown.com North York ............................Express 2........................................................... MR ......................... Tippett Rd./Wilson subway............................................express2condos.ca North York ............................M2M ................................................................... MR ......................... Yonge & Finch ..................................................................... m2mcondos.com North York ............................The DIamond .................................................. HR ......................... 5336 Yonge St.................................diamond.diamantedevelopment.com Oshawa .................................U.C. Condos..................................................... HR ......................... Simcoe St. N. & Winchester Rd. W. ....................tributecommunities.com Scarborough ........................Pinnnacle Toronto East ............................... HR ......................... 3260 Sheppard Ave. E. .........................................pinnacleinternational.ca Scarborough ........................FourMe .............................................................. HR ........................ Markham Rd. & Ellesmere ............................................fourmecondos.com Scarborough ........................Highland Commons ...................................... MR ......................... 1625 Military Trail..............................................thehighlandcommons.com Toronto .................................111 River St. Condos ...................................... HR ......................... 111 River St. .........................................................lifetimedevelopments.com Toronto .................................200 Queens Quay W. .................................... HR ......................... 200 Queens Quay W. ......................................lifetimedevelopments.com Toronto .................................Lawrence Hill Urban Towns .......................CTH........................ Don Mills & Lawrence ................................. lawrencehillurbantowns.com Toronto .................................489 Wellington St. W. ................................... HR ......................... 489 Wellington St. W. .......................................lifetimedevelopments.com Toronto .................................500 Dupont St. ............................................... MR ......................... 500 Dupont St. ...................................................lifetimedevelopments.com Toronto .................................Aqualuna at Bayside ..................................... HR ......................... 200 Queens Quay East ...................................................................tridel.com Toronto .................................Artistry Condos ............................................... HR ......................... 292 Dundas St. W. ..................................................tributeartistrycondos.ca Toronto .................................Panda Condos................................................. HR ......................... Yonge & Dundas. ...............................................lifetimedevelopments.com Toronto .................................Skytower at Pinnacle One Yonge .............. HR ......................... 1 Yonge St. ...............................................................pinnacleinternational.ca Toronto .................................The Prestige at Pinnacle One Yonge ....... HR ......................... 1 Yonge St. ...............................................................pinnacleinternational.ca Toronto .................................Tridel at the Well ........................................ MR/HR ..................... Spadina Ave. & Wellington St. .....................................thewelltoronto.com Toronto .................................Via Bloor ........................................................... HR ......................... Bloor & Parliament. ...........................................................................tridel.com Toronto .................................The PJ Condos ............................................... HR ......................... 283 Adelaide St. W..................................................pinnacleinternational.ca Toronto .................................36 Eglinton Ave. W. ....................................... HR ......................... 36 Eglinton Ave. W. ..........................................lifetimedevelopments.com Toronto .................................Linx Condominiums ...................................... HR ......................... Danforth & Main ................................................ tributecommunicties.com Toronto .................................Y&S Condos .................................................... HR ......................... 2161 Yonge St. .......................................................tributecommunities.com Toronto .................................Burke Condos ................................................. HR ......................... Bloor & Sherbourne ..................................................... burkebyconcert.com Toronto .................................MRKT Alexandra Park .................................MR HR...................... Dundas & Spadina .............................................................................tridel.com Toronto .................................181 East ............................................................. HR ......................... 181 Sheppard Ave. East ...................................................................stafford.ca Toronto .................................Avenue & Park ................................................. MR ......................... Avenue Rd. & Bedford .....................................................................stafford.ca Toronto .................................50 at Wellesley Station.................................. HR ......................... 50 Wellesley St. East ................................................................pureplaza.com Toronto .................................No. 1 Yorkville.................................................. HR ......................... 1 Yorkville Ave............................................................................pureplaza.com Toronto .................................Theatre District Residences......................... HR ......................... Adelaide & Widmer ..................................................................pureplaza.com Toronto .................................Bijou on Bloor ................................................. MR ......................... 2450 Bloor St. West..................................................................pureplaza.com Toronto .................................The Briar on Avenue .....................................CTH........................ 368 Briar Hill Ave. .....................................................................pureplaza.com Toronto .................................One Seventy .................................................... HR ......................... Spadina & Queen St. West ......................................................pureplaza.com Toronto .................................King West & Charlotte ................................... HR ......................... King St. West & Charlotte........................................................pureplaza.com Toronto .................................Forest Hill Private Residences..................... MR ........................ 2 Forest Hill Rd. ...................................................... foresthillresidences.com Toronto .................................Oscar Residences ........................................... MR ......................... 500 Dupont St. W. at Bathurst...................................oscarresidences.com Toronto .................................Whitehaus ........................................................ HR ......................... Yonge & Eglinton ...............................................lifetimedevelopments.com Toronto .................................Liberty Market Tower..................................... HR ......................... 171 East Liberty St. .............................................lifetimedevelopments.com Toronto .................................XO Condos....................................................... MR ......................... King & Dufferin...................................................lifetimedevelopments.com Toronto .................................The Georgian .................................................. MR ......................... Gerrard & Parliament.......................................................................stafford.ca Toronto .................................The Dupont ..................................................... MR ......................... Dupont & Ossington.........................................................................tridel.com Toronto .................................Bianca Condos................................................ MR ......................... 420 Dupont St ....................................................................................tridel.com Thornhill ...............................Royal Bayview ................................................ MR ......................... Bayview Ave. & Royal Orchard Blvd. ............................................tridel.com Toronto .................................LeftBank ............................................................ HR ......................... River St. & Dundas St. East..................................................... broccolini.com Toronto .................................The Residences of Central Park ................. HR ......................... Sheppard Ave. East & Leslie ................................. centralparktoronto.com Toronto .................................The Dawes ....................................................... HR ......................... Danforth & Main St. ..................................................................thedawes.com Vaughan ................................Park Avenue Place 1 & 2 ............................... HR ......................... Jane St. & Rutherford Rd. ................................................................solmar.ca Vaughan ................................The Vincent...................................................... MR ......................... Jane St. & Hwy. 7 ........................................................................ thevincent.ca Vaughan ................................The Rose Hill Condos ................................... MR ......................... 177 Woodbridge Ave.......truecondos.com/capital-north-communities Vaughan ................................SXSW Condos .................................................. HR ......................... Islington & Steeles..........................................................primonthomes.com

MAPS

Locate properties using the map on the previous page

60 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

+

BUILDERS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE YOUR PREVIEW REGISTRATION, NEW RELEASE OR SITE OPENING IN THIS FEATURE, JUST EMAIL THE DETAILS TO EDITORIAL@NEXTHOME.CA

HOT PROPERTIES | OUT OF TOWN

FIND YOUR NEXT HOME

The latest properties in the Out of Town Area to keep your eye on

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nexthome.ca 61

HOT PROPERTIES | SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO AREA

KITCHENER–WATERLOO

Guelph

Waterloo

Milton

Kitchener

Cambridge

5

Brantford

Hamilto n 11

4

13

14 1 12

LONDON

15

London

62 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

2 3

Mississauga

17

20 18

Oakville 19

6

MAPS Match the map numbers with property listings on the following Hot Properties page

7

Burlington

23 10

16

21

St Catharines22

Niagara Falls

8

24

Welland

CARTOGRAPHY: MARKETMAPS.COM

9

nexthome.ca 63

HOT PROPERTIES

Find your next hOme

The latest properties in the Southwestern Ontario Area to keep your eye on

Legend: HR = High Rise CTH = City Home MR = Mid Rise LO = Loft LR = Low Rise LW= Live Work PH = Penthouse RH = Row Home TH = Townhouse

map

location

site

type

address

contact

1.

Ancaster ................................Meadowlands ............................................MR/CTH .................... 559 Garner Rd E ................................................................ elitemdgroup.com

2.

Brampton..............................DUO Condos ................................................... HR ......................... Malta Ave. & Steeles Ave. .........................................................duocondos.ca

3.

Brampton..............................Bristol Place ..................................................... HR ......................... 199 Main St. North..............................................................................solmar.ca

4.

Brantford...............................Station Sixty Lofts .......................................... MR ......................... 60 Market St. S................................................................... elitemdgroup.com

5.

Burlington ............................Affinity Condos ............................................... MR ......................... Plains Rd. E. & Filmandale Rd. ............................... rosehavenhomes.com

6.

Burlington ............................Millcroft Towns .............................................CTH........................ Appleby Line & Taywood Dr. .............................branthavenmillcroft.com

7.

Burlington ............................Gallery Condos & Lofts ................................ HR ......................... Brant St. & James St. .............................................gallerycondominiums.ca

8.

Fonthill ..................................One Twenty Condos .....................................LR.......................... Rice Rd. & Highway 20 ................................................... mountainview.com

9.

Fonthill ..................................One Fonthill Condominium Collection .. MR ......................... Rice Rd .......................................................................onefonthillcondos.com

10.

Grimsby.................................Odyssey Condos & Towns ..................... HR/CTH .................... Windward Dr. & N Service Rd. ................................ rosehvaenhomes.com

11.

Grimsby.................................Century Condos ............................................ HR ......................... Main St. East & Baker St. South....................................desantishomes.com

12.

Hamilton ...............................1 Jarvis .............................................................. HR ......................... 1 Jarvis................................................................................................1jarvis.com

13.

Hamilton ...............................KiWi Condos ................................................... HR ......................... 212 King William St................................................................kiwicondos.com

14.

Hamilton ...............................Steeltown City Co. ...................................MR/CTH .................... Fennell Ave. E. & Upper Ottawa St. .............................. elitemdgroup.com

15.

London ..................................White Oaks Urban Towns ...........................CTH........................ London ................................................................................ elitemdgroup.com

16.

Niagara Region ...................Lusso Urban Towns ......................................CTH........................ Martindale Rd. & Grapeview Dr. .............................. lucchettahomes.com

17.

Oakville .................................The Greenwich Condos at Oakvillage ..... MR ......................... Trafalgar Rd. & Dundas.........................................................branthaven.com

18.

Oakville .................................Synergy ............................................................ MR ......................... McCraney St. E. & Sixth Line ..............................................branthaven.com

19.

Oakville .................................The Randall Residences ............................... MR ......................... Randall St. & Lakeshore Rd. E. .............................. randallresidences.com

20.

Oakville .................................Upper West Side at Oakvillage .................. MR ......................... 351 Dundas St. E. ................................................. upperwestsidecondos.ca

21.

Oakville .................................Greenwich Condos at Oakvilage............... HR ......................... Trafalgar Rd. & Dundas St. ...................................................branthaven.com

22.

St. Catharines.......................St. Kitt Urban Towns .....................................CTH........................ Oakdale Avenue & Merritt Street ......................... st.kittsurbantowns.com

23.

Stoney Creek ......................Casa Di Torre .................................................. MR ......................... 980 Queenston Rd................................................................branthaven.com

maps

Locate properties using the map on the previous page

64 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

+

Builders If you would lIke to Include your prevIew regIStratIon, new releaSe or SIte openIng In thIS feature, juSt emaIl the detaIlS to editOrial@nexthOme.ca

ADVERTISER INDEX — Find ads easily inside this edition Access Storage .......................................................................... 2 3 Bazis – Tridel ................................................................................ 9 Black & Decker ................................................................... 54, 65 Brand Factory, The ................................................................... 1 4 Bristol Place – Solmar .........................................................3, 57 Central Park – Amexon ..................................................... 11, 57

Enter our Sign-Up to Win Contest!

BLACK+DECKER™ Prize Value: $149.99

Channel 13 .................................................................................2 0 Condo Store, The...................................................................... 1 6 Dawes, The – Marlin Spring .............................................15, 56 Express 2 – Malibu ............................................................56, 68 Fairmont Royal York ................................................................. 2 3 Focal Point.................................................................................. 2 3 Gallery Towers – Remington Group ..............................13, 57 Gladstone ................................................................................... 1 8 Graydon Logistics ..................................................................... 2 3 Greenwich, The – Branthaven...................................... 4, 5, 57 Home + Style Studio Tour ...................................................... 2 3 IDRC ............................................................................................. 2 3 Indigo........................................................................................... 2 3 Lusso – Lucchetta ...................................................................... 2 MRKT Alexandra Park – Tridel ............................................... 5 6 National Home Show............................................................... 6 7

BLACK+DECKER™ 20V MAX* LITHIUM ION DRILL/ DRIVER + 68 PIECE PROJECT KIT

NextHome .................................................................................. 2 3 NKBA ............................................................................................5 4 Pinnacle One Yonge – Pinnacle International ................... 1 9 Pinnacle Toronto Cypress – Pinnacle International ......... 5 6 Reno & Decor ............................................................................ 2 3

Enter Online

U.C. Tower 3 – Tribute Communities ...................................1 7

BUILDERS

Amexon ................................................................................. 11, 57

• Go to renoanddecor.com/contests or scan the QR

Branthaven ........................................................................ 4, 5, 57

• Select this contest within the listing and click Enter to Win.

Lucchetta ...................................................................................... 2

For full contest details & rules visit the link above.

Malibu ...................................................................................56, 68 Marlin Spring ........................................................................15, 56 Pinnacle International ........................................................19, 56 Remington Group ...............................................................13, 57 Solmar .....................................................................................3, 57 Tribute Communities ................................................................1 7 Tridel ........................................................................................9, 56

www.blackanddecker.ca |

@blackanddeckerca nexthome.ca 65

ADVICE | INDUSTRY REPORT

NATIONAL HOME SHOW RETURNS IN APRIL

DAVE WILKES

The National Home Show is back!

What a pleasure it is to write those words after the last two challenging years, when the pandemic forced us to cancel this annual showcase of home design, renovation and construction. The 2022 National Home Show, presented by ReMax, will take place April 15 to 24 at the Enercare Centre in Toronto. The event will abide by all public health recommendations to keep consumers and vendors safe.

In addition to hosting more than 500 exhibitors, the show will bring back many of its popular features, including Design Intervention, the DIY Centre and the Dream Home

by Bonneville Homes. The lineup of fantastic speakers on the Main Stage will include Scott McGillivray and Debra Salmoni from HGTV’s Vacation House Rules, gardening expert Carson Arthur, and designers Kate Davidson and Diana Rose.

An exciting event taking place on April 22 will be a celebration of the winners of BILD’s 2022 Renovation & Custom Home Awards, which recognize RenoMark renovators and custom homebuilders for outstanding design, customer service and industry leadership. We recently announced the finalists in 23 categories. In the category of Renovator of the Year, the finalists are Golden Bee Homes, Lifestyles by Barons, Master Edge Homes and The Finishers Toronto Renovations, while in the category of Custom Home Builder of the Year, the finalists are Golden Bee Homes and

66 condolife magazine | March 26–April 23, 2022

Luxor Homes. For a full list of finalists, visit renoawards.ca.

Many of the finalists and winners will be among the RenoMark renovators exhibiting at the Home Show. You will recognize them by the RenoMark symbol in front of their booths. These renovation professionals, all of whom have committed to RenoMark’s renovation-specific code of conduct, will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your next renovation. The RenoMark Code of Conduct gives homeowners peace of mind, as it requires renovators to offer a minimum one-year warranty on all work, carry a minimum of $2 million in liability insurance and provide a detailed written contract.

You can also meet RenoMark renovators at the Destination

Renovation exhibit, where they will be offering free 15-minute renovation consultations. Make the most of your time by bringing pictures and floorplans.

We look forward to welcoming you back to the National Home Show. Get your ticket now at nationalhomeshow.com.

Dave Wilkes is President and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), the voice of the homebuilding, land development and professional renovation industry in the GTA. For the latest industry news and new home data, follow BILD on Twitter, @bildgta or visit bildgta.ca.

+MORE CONTENT ONLINE nexthome.ca

The The National National Home Home Show Show Returns!

Returns!

Tickets Tickets and and info info atat nationalhomeshow.com nationalhomeshow.com Thank Thank youyou to our to our Partners Partners

April 15-24 / Enercare Centre / Exhibition Place April 15-24 / Enercare Centre / Exhibition Place

From From knockdown knockdown to toknockout knockout