Suites and retail space located 'hot' area
SYDNIA YU
From Friday's Globe and Mail
May 2, 2008 at 12:05 PM EDT
Stage East
LOCATION: Leslieville
BUILDER/DEVELOPER: Neilas Inc.
SIZE: 530 to 863 square feet
PRICE: from $195,000
CONTACT: to register, phone (416) 368-5262 or visit
www.stageeastlofts.com
Neilas Inc.'s new condominium project in Leslieville is designed to foster a close-knit community, according to the builder.
Dubbed Stage East because of its location just east of the film district, the building will be set on a deep and narrow site on Queen Street East at Leslie Street, within an up-and-coming section of the city.
"It's just at the east end of what would be considered the 'hot' area," lead architect Richard Witt of Raw Design says of the development, which will open for sales on May 16.
"This is the first [development] which will be going in on that strip, so it's going to stand out just because it's a new building," he adds.
The building will consist of two four-storey towers linked by an interior courtyard and glazed corridors leading to a freestanding elevator. There will be 24 units between the towers.
"The way that we've arranged the building around this courtyard — with these glazed links — no one's going to be a stranger in the building," Mr. Witt says.
"Everyone is going to see you walking through the corridors and know who everyone is. It's a real community that we're trying to make here."
A green roof will be put on top of the mezzanine, while the courtyard and balconies will have landscaped dividers. Operable windows will be installed, and the south side of the building will have large overhangs.
Bike storage space will be provided, and residents will have access to a vehicle through an auto-sharing operation.
"The Queen Street streetcar is right there and there's access to bike paths along the lake not very far away," Mr. Witt adds.
The building will have retail shops fronting on Queen, and residents will be within walking distance of parks with sports facilities.
Suite sizes range from 530 to 863 square feet in one-bedroom, one-bedroom-plus-den or two-bedroom plans.
Interiors will include walls of windows; high-end, contemporary finishes; and private terraces averaging 250 square feet.
"In all our projects, we try to provide as much outdoor space as possible," Mr. Witt explains.
"There's something really nice about being in the city, but also being outside in your own space."
The largest model will have 863 square feet of living space on two levels, with two bedrooms and a den, a balcony and a 350-square-foot wraparound terrace on the roof.
"All the top [floor] units … have absolutely fantastic sunrooms up at the top that have wraparound terraces," Mr. Witt says. "They're sensational units."
Parking and lockers will be available for an extra cost, and maintenance fees have not been set yet.
Occupancy is slated for fall, 2009.