2011 was ‘astonishing,’ BILD chair says (February 25, 2012)
BILD chair Paul Golini needed just one word to capture his reaction to the GTA real estate market’s 2011 sales totals: “astonishing.
Lanterra Developments to redevelop Sutton Place hotel (January 28, 2012)
Lanterra Developments has bought the Sutton Place hotel and will be redeveloping the venerable but timeworn tower into a luxury condo.
Jared Menkes is building strategically hip condos (January 28, 2012)
Jared Menkes has a simple yet effective way of dreaming up the kinds of condos he’s going to develop. “I want to build projects that I’d want to live in,” he says.
Architect instructed: ‘Give me something different‘ (January 28, 2012)
Architect Richard Witt knew he’d designed a great condo when a community meeting for the project ended with him receiving a round of applause.
Living down by the river (January 28, 2012)
David Wex has been so impressed with what’s happening at Underpass Park that the developer recently threw a party there to show it off.
The value of good karma (January 28, 2012)
Karma condo’s charity/marketing campaign generated a great deal of interest in the project and raised over $15,000 for three local charities.
Nice guys really do finish first (January 21, 2012)
A gutsy approach to business — tempered by humility and community mindedness — has served Charles Mady well.
Toronto embraces Shangri-La living (January 14, 2012)
If the rip-roaring success of condo sales at Shangri-La Toronto can serve as any indication, this city appears to have embraced the new arrival with open arms.
New townhomes on the ‘Block’ (January 14, 2012)
The success of this redesigned townhouse project is a testament to the demand in the city for at-grade contemporary housing.
Lago takes full advantage of Lake Ontario views (January 7, 2012)
Lovely vistas are a big selling point for Lago Condos, Monarch’s latest project at its Waterview master-planned community in Humber Bay.
Merton townhouses have a custom home feel (January 7, 2012)
It’s a cold morning, but Sarit Chandaria, principal of Tibro Developments, offers a warm grin and firm handshake as he welcomes me to The Merton.
Highrise sales set records in 2011, but what lies ahead? (December 31, 2011)
It was the best year on record for highrise sales. According to RealNet Canada, 27,224 condos were sold between January and November.
Bond, The Bond, coming soon to downtown T.O. (December 3, 2011)
In conceiving of a design for The Bond, a condo to be built at John and Adelaide, architect Charles Gane figured the best approach was to keep it simple.
Picasso: A sculpture on the city skyline (November 25, 2011)
Architect Stephen Teeple has designed a tower composed of “suspended solids” — white cubic forms that float on the building’s dark-grey core.
Ten York will link downtown with the waterfront (November 25, 2011)
Ten York, the proposed 75-storey condo unveiled earlier this week by Tridel and Build Toronto, is poised to become one of the city’s most iconic new towers.
Ion to benefit from new Humber River hospital (November 25, 2011)
Ion Condos, just down the road from where Humber River Regional Hospital’s new acute-care facility will be built, appears a healthy real estate proposition.
Bringing condo life to an established neighbourhood (November 5, 2011)
Tarek Sobhi felt that Eglinton Ave. near Bathurst St. was in need of a nice new condo project, having not seen any multi-family development for decades.
It’s all about the Karma: Developers give back (October 28, 2011)
Condo developers like to boast that their projects will give something back to communities. With Karma Condos, this is truly the case.
Condo brings community space to Carlaw (October 28, 2011)
The Carlaw-Dundas area has witnessed a fair bit of condo construction in recent years, but few projects have contributed much in public space or amenities.
LEED mansion goes for the Gold (October 20, 2011)
Developer Reza Hosseinian never built an eco-home before. But that doesn’t mean he was interested in going small for his first foray.
Website lets users rate, review contractors (October 20, 2011)
EiEi Home, which launched in August, has been fashioned as a TripAdvisor for the home renovation market.
Barrie condo project targets investors (October 15, 2011)
While Mady Development didn’t set out to build a condo in Barrie, before long they realized the potential for great success there.
Lakehouse residences blends modern with earthy (October 15, 2011)
The father-son duo behind Reserve Properties pride themselves on their aptitude for acquiring top-flight sites in some of Toronto’s trendiest neighbourhoods.
Brand power is in their DNA (October 8, 2011)
DNA condos’ success is a testament to the power of an innovative condo brand that’s been carefully nurtured throughout the project’s decade-long development.
For some condo buyers, bigger is better (October 1, 2011)
The crowd that used to want a single-family home sees condos as a cost-effective and more convenient alternative.
Etobicoke condo puts spacious suites in perspective (October 1, 2011)
Rose Devoe likes living in Etobicoke but she’s tired of dealing with the headaches that come with owning a house.
Love is in the air at Scarborough condo project (September 24, 2011)
The ad team behind Love Condos went to great lengths to generate affection for the Agincourt development project.
International buyers undergird Toronto’s condo market (September 17, 2011)
For developers like Plaza, new-Canadian buyers play a key role in the sale of downtown projects.
Madison presentation centre inspired by Guggenheim (September 17, 2011)
Condo will include 644 condos and more than 53,000 square feet of retail space, anchored by a large grocery store.
Deerhurst cottages offer traditional Muskoka flavour (September 17, 2011)
Gil Butrich made out like a bandit when he bought Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville for a mere $26 million earlier this year.
B.hold, a ‘playful’ plan for west end (September 17, 2011)
B.streets condo sales centre features large airbrushed mural that covers 25 metres of the building’s brick wall along Bathurst.
‘Any colour you want’ at Paintbox (September 10, 2011)
26-storey Paintbox condo is being built atop a new $24-million Regent Park arts and cultural centre.
Home ownership made simple and affordable (September 10, 2011)
Don Pugh has taken great satisfaction in overseeing the launch of Long Valley, the Daniels Corp.’s 10th FirstHome community in the GTA.
Daniels brings back Rent to Own program at NY Place (September 10, 2011)
For Uchechi Ezurike, home ownership was a dream, but coming up with the hefty bundle of cash required for the down payment proved a challenge.
3-bedroom condo unit is no suite dilemma (August 14, 2011)
Downtown condo developers are being pushed to build family-sized suites. Problem is, few people want to buy them.
UrbanRental provides vital info on condo rental market (August 4, 2011)
Rental rates for leased condos barely increased in the past year, and they’re not likely to rise much anytime soon, according to a new report from Urbanation.
Reclaiming the east waterfront (July 30, 2011)
3C Lakeshore plan calls for a mixed-use community with hotel, retail and about 2,000 condos.
Housing tour showcases leaders in energy efficiency (July 30, 2011)
Ontario Home Builders’ Association green housing tour included leading-edge energy-efficient home developments across the GTA.
Beyond the Bricks: OHBA chief Bob Finnigan (July 23, 2011)
Hugh Heron’s lieutenant at Heathwood Homes has always had a thing for building.
Empire’s highrise project will bring new life to Kerr Village (July 16, 2011)
Paul Golini knows other developers are keeping a close eye on what his company is doing in Oakville.
Kylemore aims to build the ‘Ritz-Carlton of Markham’ (July 9, 2011)
Before he even began to design a condo project at Angus Glen, architect Andrew Bigauskas felt pretty good about the possibilities.
How to create great outdoor spaces (July 7, 2011)
Summer’s here and the time is right for outdoor entertaining. But being the host with the most is tough when your venue is lacking.
Mississauga’s better way (June 25, 2011)
Proposed light rail line from Port Credit to Brampton awaits government funding
Brampton prepares to Züm zoom (June 25, 2011)
New bus rapid transit system has got the city moving.
OpArt Lofts bring edginess to Oakville (June 24, 2011)
When developer Jim Neilas revealed plans for an architecturally ambitious condo in Oakville, the project raised a few eyebrows.
Industry’s top talents join forces on Peter Street Condos (May 28, 2011)
Developer spent big bucks to make sure project was conceived and carried out by a dream team.
Another condo blockbuster (May 28, 2011)
A confident Daniels Corp. has begun construction early on Festival Tower’s sister project, Cinema Tower
Gladstone poised for residential rebirth (May 20, 2011)
The elimination of the Dufferin jog has improved life on Gladstone Avenue considerably.
The Madison: A midtown makeover (May 13, 2011)
With 53,600 square feet of retail space, development will give tired stretch of Eglinton East a retail re-invigoration
Tony Ma has a mind for real estate (May 6, 2011)
Selling real estate isn’t brain surgery. For neurosurgeon-turned-broker Tony Ma, it’s at times been more challenging.
Containers are a condo dweller’s best friends (May 5, 2011)
Green-thumbed condo dwellers take heart: you can still create a great garden in the sky.
First impressions are everything (May 5, 2011)
Whether you’re selling your home or sprucing things up after a nasty winter, curb appeal is essential.
Hive Lofts: A lot of buzz about a little building (April 29, 2011)
Development on the Queensway will help clean up a corner that’s been an “eyesore for a long time.”
Construction underway on Hullmark Centre (April 29, 2011)
Two-tower project at Yonge and Sheppard will boast the tallest condos in the North York skyline.
Old home vs. new: Which one to buy? (April 14, 2011)
To buy a new home or condo, or a resale? It depends on your preferences and priorities.
Turning brownfields into gold (April 2, 2011)
Keystone Mews replaces old factories with Victorian-style townhomes
Shangri-La: Where the living is easy (March 26, 2011)
My mission: Stay at the Vancouver Shangri-La and soak up all the luxury the five-star hotel-condo has to offer.
Unobstructed views on display at Exhibit Residences (March 26, 2011)
Condo located across from the Royal Ontario Museum, which inspired the building’s design.
Westlake: A new centre of gravity in Humber Bay (March 6, 2011)
The development will include 1,300 units in three towers, including townhomes facing Mimico Creek.
Studio on Richmond: The art of the condo (February 25, 2011)
Sales centre shines a light on Aspen Ridge’s partner in the project: Ontario College of Art and Design University.
How much is your condo worth? Check online (February 23, 2011)
RealCondoInvestor.ca enables investors to track the estimated value of their condo(s) online and analyze market activity.
Development charges curbing 905 condo growth (February 18, 2011)
And parkland requirements work against intensification, says new Building Industry and Land Development association chair.
Taking the stage at Yonge and the Esplanade (February 12, 2011)
Backstage – a 36-storey point tower – is the sister project to Daniel Libeskind-designed L Tower.
Pizazz in tight places (February 9, 2011)
Urban home renos mean making the most of a smaller footprint.
Cube keeps residents connected with community (January 28, 2011)
Because not all buyers want to live in a skyscraper with no connection to the outside world.
New luxury living for Old Mill (January 20, 2011)
High-end projects from Tridel and Lanterra cater to affluent local homeowners in transition.
High design at Trinity-Bellwoods Town+Homes (January 14, 2011)
Luxury homebuilder teams up with high-rise condo gurus on design-driven project.
•••
A new era for Muskoka (November 18, 2010)
Touchstone vacation-home resort aims to remake cottage country living.
Tableau sets the table (November 11, 2010)
32-storey condo at Richmond and Peter will sit atop a four-storey canopy covering a public plaza.
Downtown condos offer a change of space (November 6, 2010)
Flexnatür units will have a raised floor system that lets owners reconfigure their living spaces with ease.
A state of the art experience (October 15, 2010)
Technology is empowering homebuyers and fundamentally changing the way real estate is marketed and sold.
Steely determination (October 1, 2010)
Through hard work and resolve, Mansoor Kazerouni has quickly risen through the ranks at Page + Steele architects.
‘A craving to own bricks and sticks’ (September 30, 2010)
GTA condo developers, brokers clamour to court real estate-hungry South Asian market.
Build Toronto’s grand designs (September 15, 2010)
Arms-length real estate agency is developing underused properties to generate revenue for the cash-strapped city.
Business as usual (September 10, 2010)
Despite negative news, developers and brokers insist Toronto’s real estate market has been humming along just fine.
Portrait of an artist as real estate developer (August 27, 2010)
Meet the hybrid that is Gary Silverberg: a developer-artist who is a unique figure on Toronto’s real estate scene.
Studio on Richmond: An authentic artistic experience (August 20, 2010)
Aspen Ridge is setting aside 8,000 square feet of space at its new condo for an Ontario College of Art and Design gallery.
Library District Condos: Architecture by the book (August 13, 2010)
Context Developments hopes its colourful 29-storey glass tower will stand apart from the Railway Lands competition.
Moving firm launches customer bill of rights (July 30, 2010)
Two Men and a Truck is nudging the industry to do more to guard against movers who use “predatory tactics.”
DNA3: Things will be great when you’re Downtown (July 23, 2010)
DNA3’s 7,000-square-foot sales office takes the presentation centre concept to a whole new level.
Muskoka Bay Club: Membership has its privleges (July 16, 2010)
The homes may be in cottage country, but they offer all the features downtown denizens desire.
In pursuit of a more public-friendly city (June 25, 2010)
The Planning Partnership aims to soften our car-centric urban spaces.
Baker and co. well-equipped to ride out storm (June 17, 2010)
Lessons learned during the early-90s recession have stuck with Pat Baker and her sales team.
Yorkville meets the Annex at Pears on the Avenue (June 11, 2010)
‘You’ve got the best of both worlds at your doorstep.’
Onni Group taking Toronto by storm (June 10, 2010)
Vancouver developer arrives in Toronto with big plans for 2,400 condos.
A high degree of difference (June 5, 2010)
12 Degrees, a stacked glass cube condo, will feature a cantilevered middle section jogged 12 degrees off centre.
Business is blooming at Geranium (May 15, 2010)
Admitted foodie Boaz Feiner has his plate full with the pile of projects Geranium Homes has on the front burners.
Daniels chief honoured for affordable housing efforts (May 1, 2010)
Mitchell Cohen receives the St. George Society’s 2010 award of merit
Construction begins on Aura, Canada’s largest condo (April 24, 2010)
‘This shows that big buildings can get built’
World class (March 21, 2010)
Toronto’s real estate talents have become hot global commodities.
On your mark, get set for Pan Am Games (February 27, 2010)
Toronto’s winning of the Pan Am Games means construction of 6,000 condos and townhomes will now go on a fast track.
Ty Pennington offers tips on personalizing your space (February 11, 2010)
Peppy host of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will be a celebrity guest presenter at the National Home Show.
Roundtable sees ‘cautious optimism’ for 2010 (January 30, 2010)
Real estate marketing gurus gather to discuss chaotic year and what’s ahead.
The Condo Store: Vive la différence (January 23, 2010)
All-purpose sales and marketing trio is well-positioned for a new era in Toronto real estate.
Minto’s green dream team (January 9, 2010)
A forward-thinking sustainability strategy has put Minto in the vanguard of Toronto’s green building industry.
Luxury condos create mansions in the sky (December 5, 2009)
Toronto’s super-luxury condo market has blossomed in recent years, even in the midst of an economic downturn.
River City: ‘This is where it starts‘ (October 31, 2009)
Project sets the precedent for the revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront.
Making your renovations pay off (October 15, 2009)
Some changes add value to your home, others don’t. Here’s how to know the difference.
Following their In2ition (October 3, 2009)
Unorthodox marketing company revamps, repackages and relaunches stagnant developments.
Unique project breaks from brick, stucco (September 5, 2009)
With its first foray into the GTA home construction market, Symmetry Developments wants to make a bold statement.
Townhome enclave boasts location, two-car garages (August 15, 2009)
Royal Gardens, a development of 28 townhomes in the heart of North York, is slated for a late 2009 completion.
Traditions in Milton knitting a community together (August 1, 2009)
Heathwood Homes is helping its new master-planned development avoid becoming just another bedroom community.
Birth of a condo
In this five-part series, the Toronto Star follows the development of a highrise condominium – Blade in Brampton – from site selection through to the sales launch, offering an in-depth look at the logistical challenges and critical decisions that emerge along the way.
•PART 5: Grand opening (May 1, 2010)
Pent-up demand + master marketing = success
•PART 4: Sales (March 6, 2010)
A carefully plotted and executed sales strategy.
•PART 3: Marketing and public relations (February 6, 2010)
Blade inspires edgy marketing.
•PART 2: Architecture and design (December 19, 2009)
Hanging on to heritage elements.
•PART 1: Site selection (November 3, 2009)
Turning a dilapidated old factory into a gleaming new condo.
This site tracks your condo’s value before it’s built (April 14, 2011)
RealCondoInvestor.ca enables investors to track the estimated value of a pre-construction condo.
Sex and the loyalty program (March 31, 2011)
When it comes to rewards programs, chicks like to play the field while guys prefer to settle down
What you need to know about breaking a lease (March 22, 2011)
If you do need to leave a rental unit before the end of your tenancy agreement, it can be costly.
Burial vs cremation: What are the options? (February 23, 2011)
The choice of burial versus cremation brings with it a number of things to consider.
How to choose a funeral home (February 22, 2011)
Ask friends and family for recommendations, and be sure to shop around.
Is it a good idea to pre-pay your funeral? (February 21, 2011)
For most people, the funeral planning process is a mystery dealt with in a time of crisis.
Why tenants need household insurance (January 26, 2011)
Landlords have property insurance for the building, but this doesn’t extend to the contents of your place.
Where the jobs will be in 2011 (December 20, 2010)
Even in a struggling economy, some sectors do well. Here’s where the hottest employment growth will be.
Why you might need a money coach (October 12, 2010)
In the past decade, financial coaches have emerged as an increasingly popular alternative to conventional financial advisors.
Free online primer aims at DIY investors (October 6, 2010)
Keith Betty’s online investing guide has been a handy and free resource for do-it-yourselfers for nearly a decade.
Best Practices: Dorothy Liang (December 2009)
This Canadian Forces JAG lawyer is not your typical new recruit.
