Feb 09, 2008 04:30 AM
The Victory condo in Toronto’s entertainment and fashion district near King St. W. and Spadina Ave. will appeal to young urban professionals who want to live near some of the city’s hippest restaurants, shops, clubs and theatres.
The design philosophy for the 12-storey condo by BLVD Developments incorporates elements from music, fashion, art, technology and urban culture.
BLVD principals Brian Brown, Brandon Frankfort and Michael Pearl have long-standing family involvement with some of the industry’s veterans at Lifetime Urban Development Group. Their experience was honed with developments such as the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences, WaterParkCity, Lumiere and Liberty Market Building.
Award-winning Rudy Wallman of Wallman Architects designed Victory’s steel, brick and glass exterior to have an industrial look. The sleek exterior is punctuated with oversized balconies and terraces, and the two-storey penthouses feature private rooftop patios. Suites at the back of the building overlook a courtyard and reflecting pool.
“For Victory,” Brown says, “we spent a lot of time working with Wallman Architects and interior designers Munge//Leung Design Associates to really understand the neighbourhood. Being located in the fashion and entertainment district, we are catering to a specific audience that’s in the 25- to 35-year-age range.”
Suites range from one bedroom to a three-bedroom design in sizes from 470 to 1,115 square feet, priced from $246,900 to $567,900.
The team met with neighbourhood businesses, other developers and community organizations in the area to ensure the building plans were appropriate.
“We wanted to make sure Victory was functional, effective and friendly to the block. This block has historical buildings on it so we had to be sensitive to that environment, but still be dynamic, attractive and of interest to buyers,” Brown says.
Particular emphasis was placed on amenity space for entertaining.
“We focused a lot of attention on the lounge, dining room and screening room,” he says. “Knowing the audience we were dealing with, we recognized that they are very social and outgoing. They like to entertain, even if it’s outside of their own suite. So we designed a full entertaining area with a lounge, bar and screening room that would encourage that. There is a dining room, full kitchen, wet bar, several flat-screen TVs, long couches, two-sided fireplace and terraces for outdoor space. It’s a true King- or Queen Street-style lounge.”
The building, Brown adds, also has a modern lobby area with concierge services and fitness facilities.
“We are also excited about the private rooftop patios for the two-storey penthouse suites. It’s a unique feature of the building and there are many units that overlook the courtyard.
“We took part of the ground floor space that we would have used for more retail and created a new entrance down to the parking garage that people could access directly off King St. and not have to go to the back courtyard to reach. So we’ve done many things that would benefit the entire block and not just our building.”
There are 2,500 square feet of retail on one side of the building and 3,500 square feet of retail on another side. A parking space is available for $30,000 for certain units.
Suite features include five appliances, nine-foot ceilings, engineered veneered hardwood in the living/dining room, kitchen and study, 40-ounce broadloom in the bedroom, ceramic or porcelain bathroom flooring, a soaker tub, marble or granite one-piece countertop, and Munge//Leung-designed custom cabinetry.
Heating and cooling systems are individually controlled and wiring accommodates high-speed Internet access and future technology. Direct gas connection for balcony barbecues is an upgrade.
First occupancy is slated for summer 2010. Watch for the release of penthouses coming soon.
http://www.thestar.com/article/300794