Moshe Safdie, the Montreal-trained architect whose first waterfront project, Habitat at Expo 67, made him world-famous is designing a mixed-use complex for a site on Queens Quay, just east of Sherbourne Street.

Safdie’s plan calls for a 36-storey condo tower a top a 10-floor podium, mostly glass, that would face Lake Ontario. The complex will also form the eastern edge of Sherbourne Park, now under construction.

Because it sits on the north side of Queens Quay, the new development will have no direct water access. But as Safdie notes, above the 10th floor, residents will have views of the lake.

Architecturally, the most striking feature is a series of “terraces” that cascade diagonally down the west and east facades nicknamed “gardens in the sky. These terraces are made of concrete; the recessed parts in between, of glass. Undoubtedly, this will make the building a landmark on the Toronto skyline.

The $200 million building developed by Great Gulf will include condos, offices and retail outlets, as well as a daycare centre. At least 5 per cent of the condos are to be three-bedroom units.

Safdie, who lives in Boston and teaches at Harvard, has worked around the world. His credits include the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, the Vancouver Library, Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and Terminal One at Pearson Airport. This is his first job in downtown Toronto.

The never-bursting bubble might actually never burst.  Don’t wait.  Buy now.  Invest in your future, invest in real estate.

By Ovais Qassim, MBA
Broker of Record
Vice President

Buying a condominium as an investment strategy is not as simple as most people are led to believe.  It’s not rocket science either. However, it does require some level of analysis, research and due diligence. We can help you with making the critical ‘go’ or ‘no-go’ investment decision with our special Condo Investment Return on Equity (RoE) Report.

Benefits investing in condominiums as an investment strategy:

1. Condos generally appreciate in value at a rate which is almost consistently higher than the inflation rate.

2. It is relatively easy in many major Canadian cities to find an occupant for a condo apartment primarily due the constant influx of new immigrants and foreign students and low vacancy rates.

3. There is an increasing demand among the populace for the condominium lifestyle and the luxury and convenience that comes with living in a condo complex.

4. Due to the minimal amount of upkeep involved, the economic benefits of owning a condo are more attractive for the first-time investor.

5. There is the available option to the investor to appoint the condominium corporation or a professional management company to take care of management and maintenance issues, thereby eliminating time/resources required for tenant management.

6. Facilities such as tennis courts and swimming pools are maintained by the condominium corporation. This frees the new investor from the responsibilities of upkeep.

7. Taxation benefits – If you invest in a condominium rental property, you can deduct many of your personal expenses from income, in addition to the normal tax deductions such as mortgage, interest, depreciation, and other condo-related expenses. For instance, you would normally be entitled to set up a small office in your current residence for managing your investments, which would include keeping your records. You could deduct a percentage of all your home-related expenses. The normal formula is to take the square footage of the office area that you are using relative to the total square footage in your home. In general terms, 10% to 15% or more is usually deducted for that portion.

8. The owner is protected by the bylaws and the rules and regulations set by provincial condo legislation, by the original project documents, and by the bylaws and rules and regulations. For example, many condominiums do not allow pets in the building because of the potential wear and tear on the apartment. This type of rule protects and benefits the investor.

In addition, you would be entitled to deduct a part of the car-related expenses involved in managing your investment portfolio, whether it is one rental property or more than one. The percentage of all your car-related expenses can vary, obviously depending on the usage of the car relating to your investment.

Investor Tip:
If you are looking for higher appreciation (resale value) for your condo investment, buying the least expensive unit in a luxury condominium/townhouse complex generally offers a more financially attractive return than the purchase of the largest unit in a modestly priced development, assuming the price is the same.

Premier Matrix Realty’s Special Condo Investment Return on Equity (RoE) Report:

Our custom report helps our clients figure out whether their investment will give them the desired return.  Our RoE analysis report is not supposed to help predict your profit on sale because future sale price is an unknown. We are more keen to address – the rent-ability of your condominium investment; and the amount of down payment that will be required to make the investment feasible.

One must remember that, generally speaking, rents have very little variation from one area of Toronto to another. Therefore, it is important to quantify that amount of down payment required in any particular condominium project and the price being paid.

Our analysis report will help you understand whether the condominium you are considering is worth the investment. Simply enter the information required and let us show you whether your condominium is a good investment.

CLICK HERE to respond to our questionnaire.

Important: If you are contemplating investing in condominiums as an investment strategy, it is important to seek competent tax and accounting from a qualified professional, and legal advice from a lawyer specializing in condominium law.

The new Tridel community – REVE Condos is located at 560 Front Street West in King West Village, Toronto.

Tridel (Canada’s largest condo builder), reportedly completely sold out of all 1 and 2 bedroom units over the weekend.

Tridel saw a huge shortage in the Toronto condominium marketplace for units priced under $300,000. They packed the building with small 1 bedrooms and studios and the market responded loud and clear. They launched this project with almost no marketing, using only the momentum of the market, word of mouth, and a simple formula of giving the people what they want.

REVE will be located at 560 Front St West, just west of 550 Front St (a mid-rise condo building), and just east of Front and Bathurst. The building will be made up of suites ranging from studios, one bedroom, one bedroom with den, two bedrooms, two bedroom with den, and three bedroom terraced suites. Per square foot, units range from $420 to $500 with prices starting at $199,000. The building will even feature two different 3 bedroom units (PLUS 2 baths) with prices for those starting at $460,000.

The project is already under construction and is to be completed by next year. The site was originally going to be a hotel, but Tridel bought the site over the summer and will build a condo on the existing floor plate. This may explain why many of the floor plans were quite unusual – the floor plate was never designed to be for condos.

Red metal cladding will be the focal point on both ends of the building. Wallman Architects and Burka Architects Inc. have collaborated on the bold glass and steel exterior. The interior will be designed be award winning designer Alex Chapman. The definitive lines and red cladding help to set this building apart from other buildings in the area.

Club Rêve will feature a large sized party lounge with kitchen and fireplace, a theatre room, a multi media lounge, and a billiard room. The rooftop piazza allows for entertaining on those hot summer nights!

CLICK HERE for registration and grand opening pricing.

Urbancorp – Toronto’s leading developer in the King-Queen West area in Downtown Toronto has added yet another jewel to its condominium projects – The CURVE – ideally located in the heart of Queen West just across the road from the popular Drake Hotel.

The development features contemporary European styled lofts and condos and the price starts at an affordable $181,996 for a 420 sq.ft. bachelor unit.

Booking has started and you can get ahead of the crowd and secure a prime location in the condominium by registering online with Premier Matrix Realty.

Located alongside the splendid shoreline of Lake Ontario, Toronto’s Waterfront district has a view that is second to none. It spans 46 kilometers between the mouth of Etobicoke Creek in the West, and the Rouge River in the East.

Once used for industrial sites, the land in this area has now become an extremely valuable asset for the city of Toronto. Redevelopment of this area started in the 70’s, with one of the most notable parts of this landscape – the CN Tower. Development has been non-stop and Toronto’s Waterfront is now home to the Rogers Center, the Toronto Convention Center, and a wide variety of impressive residential and commercial building projects.

Waterfront neighborhoods are always primed for development. The Ontario government has already spent a lot of money with various revitalization projects for Toronto’s waterfront neighborhoods. Current projects are estimated to last between 25 and 30 years. During this time frame, an estimated $17 billion will transform the remaining areas  for development. This project is currently the largest revitalization effort being undertaken in the whole of North America.

Toronto has become a green city. Some of the new neighborhoods being built under the current revitalization project require green rooftops to ensure energy efficiency. Child care facilities, good shopping, and mass transit are all part of the city within a city projects. Rather than building wider streets, the city plans to build wider sidewalks for pedestrians to reach mass transit within five minutes of their homes. No green city would be green without a lot of open space and new parks.

Toronto’s new waterfront district has the best of green technology in convenient luxury condominiums located close to transportation, shopping, and work. Other cities should follow Toronto into the 21st century.

All these reasons make a Waterfront Toronto Condo a valuable investment.

The new Four Seasons Private Residences, designed by Peter Clewes of the prestigious Canadian architecture firm Architects Alliance, is located in the center of Toronto’s upscale Yorkville District at the corner of Yorkville Avenue and Bay Street with full access to the services of one of the world’s premiere five star hotels.

Four Seasons Hotel Toronto has been the icon of life en vogue in the city for more than 25 years. Now, along with the development of a new luxury hotel in the Yorkville neighbourhood, the internationally renowned collection of Four Seasons Private Residences is being introduced to Toronto.

The ultra-luxurious Four Seasons Private Residences development will consist of two towers. These exquisitely designed condominiums will range in size to over 5,000 sq. ft. and will be accessed from a private courtyard to an opulent lobby with 24 hour Concierge service and private elevator access. Of course, residents will also enjoy Four Seasons services and amenities including sumptuous restaurants and bars, valet parking, in-room dining and access to housekeeping service as well as an extraordinary Spa and Fitness Centre on the seventh floor.

The West Residence which will be a 55 storey structure containing a 253 room Four Seasons Hotel and 100 private residences on the top 20 floors. The East Residence will be a smaller 25 storey structure with an additional 100 private residences. The lofts will have 10′ or 12′ ceilings, floor to ceiling windows, direct elevator access and gourmet inspired kitchens complete with the finest appliances and fixtures offered. The suites range in size from 1,000 sq.ft. to over 8,000 sq.ft. and prices start at $1.2 million dollars to $16 million dollars.

Ideally located in the Yorkville District, residents will have unlimited access to the upscale shopping as well as access to the some of the city’s best cultural venues including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Bata Shoe Museum and the Gardiner Museum. In addition, residents will also be able to take full advantage of the impressive 28,000 sq.ft spa, the chic Four Seasons Bar and many other amenities provided by the hotel.

Located in the up and coming Queen West corridor, the Westside Gallery Lofts developed by the Landmark Building Group (a sister company of Urbancorp), is now open for sale.

Ideally located in the busy sector of Queen West, best known as the Art and Design District, the Westside Gallery Lofts is already on the cusp of something “big” with the revitalization of nearby hot spots like The Drake Hotel and The Gladstone Hotel and popular hangouts like The Social, The Rhino, Cadillac Lounge, Saigon Flower, Rolling Stones and the newly appointed Nyood Restaurant.

Residents in this sector of Queen West virtually enjoys 24 hr TTC service at their doorstep, 5 minutes to downtown by car and walking distance to great cafe’s, restaurants, lounges, art gallery’s, hotels and grocery stores.

Westside Gallery Lofts comprising 2 mid-sized buildings, features 9 foot ceilings, floor to ceiling windows, stainless steel appliances, engineered laminate flooring, exposed concrete ceilings in one of Toronto’s best neighbourhoods.

The condo units comprise studio lofts, 1 bedroom and 1 bedroom + den lofts, and 2 bedroom lofts, ranging from 480 sq.ft. to 890 sq.ft., with prices starting in the low $200,000 range.