I could not be more excited that Crate and Barrel’s hipper version of their decore store is coming to Queen West at Bathurst and Queen 649 Queen St. West…Taking over where the Purple Big Bob eye soar is… (sorry ravers it’s 2011 now) and it’s just in time for summer. The store will be 1,300 square feet of all of the latest essentials.

Crate and Barrel’s CB2 will have cheaper and more fun looking furniture and decore that appeals to a more hip demographic that likes colour/ funky fabric and interesting patterns. It will have a ‘one of a kind’ section that will be personally and exclusivly chosen and offered as a part of the CB2 line. The one of a kind lines will be found from designers world wide and hand picked by CB2 executives.

The location could not be more perfect considering some of my clients have purchased down the street at what will be the new ‘it’ building at Queen and Portland… a small boutique building artfully crafted by Tribute homes.

the area is being revitalized naturally by the progression of high end condos that started at the King and Bathurst area. The store will also service the expanding community a bit farther west at Queen and Dufferin (The Triangle) as they’re calling it in Condo land.

According to Treb rentals are up 22% from the same time period studied back in 2009. This is due to the massive amount of new condos that have been built and who have been purchased by private investors.  A total of 4920 units were accounted for lease up from 3859 in 2009.

This poses the question of `can we find enough renters to fill the rental spaces. From what I hear.. the top forgein investors are from Iran and Korea… and judging by the names on the MLS listings I frequently view – it seems to be correct. In a new building- most of the rentals seem to be owned by people who don`t live here… what about local investors… are we missing out on our own opportunity to get richer… shouldn`t there be an incentive for local investment…

I realize forgein investment is good for a city… it builds our infrastructure.. allows for bigger and beautiful buildings and gives forgeiners something to call their own in a city they may travel to more often now…but it still takes away from people in our own conutry who could be getting richer and then spending their earned money within the Canadian economy instead of back in Korea or Iran.

Invest people…

We all know how uncomfortable it can be when guests are required to walk though your filthy bedroom to get to the only washroom you have in your condo.

Because most condo boards dont allow for renovations of the structure I thought it was super interesting when I stumbled on information about the Saniflo ‘upflush’ sink/toilet model. This useful appliance can be installed into a small created room or cove in your place without pulling up floor boards or ripping down walls.

This ‘upflush’ model uses a fast–rotating blade to liquefy waste and toilet paper in the flush water, then it’s discharged under pressure through small–bore piping to a drainage line that can also be your laundry machine.  This can cost around $700.00

Spectacular newly renovated 3 bedroom home in prestigious Bloor West Village. This knockout

comes with a gas fireplace, whirlpool tub, finished basement with wine room/4th bedroom. New doors, paint throughout, 6 yr old furnace and lifetime bonded aluminum roof. Bricked driveway with professional perennial garden in front. 200 amp electrical, recent air conditioning maintenance. California shutters/covered porch/additional sitting area in rear complete this comfortable stylish home

This fabulous 3+1 two bathroom home has been newly renovated and is turn key ready for your future. Open concept living space with pot lighting makes for enjoyable entertaining back sitting area and breakfast nook are perfect for mornings and evenings. Covered porch

Welcome to the home of your dreams.

Thus custom built 2 story executive home features hardwood flooring throughout, waffled and coffered ceilings and 4 bedrooms 4 baths, 3 car garage. This home’s Gourmet kitchen is top notch with designer materials including high end stainless steel wolf range, LG and Bosh appliances. All of the bathrooms, kitchen and laundry rooms are host to spectacular granite counters, imported ceramics and delta facets. The home is situated on a generous 60 by 125 foot lot in Toronto’s Newtonbrook neighborhood.

 Close to Prominade mall, highway, public transit; situated in a very convenient part of Toronto.

The “Edge’ On Triangle Park built by Urbancorp and Plazacorp – the same company that brought you 954 King West and 5 Rosehill. The first of the three developments is 150 Sudbury (Westside Gallery Lofts) – it’s now slowly being occupied and is completely sold out.

 The project is The ‘Edge’, which is the first of 2 phases – and has almost sold out in only 2 weeks!. The units still available range in price from $185,000 for 400 square feet and head up to $230,000 for 610 square feet. The price of parking is 25k per spot and can be purchased with any unit, lockers are $3,500. maintenance fees are expected to be .50/sqft. The building will feature a gym, party room, concierge etc.

The Second phase of ‘Edge’ will be available for purchase starting next week and I expect them to go very quickly. As this area becomes more and more developed I expect prices to rise dramatically – it’s a perfect time to get in. The nightlife in the area is spectacular – The Drake is across the St, The Gladstone is close by, Ossington strip is 5 minute walk as well.

The Minto at 775 King West at the corner of King and Tecumseth will stand 17 floors high on one side and the other tower will be 12. Minto usually does  production housing projects in the North end of Toronto and is headed by Roger, Robert and Alan Greenberg.

The Minto tower’s units start at 358 square feet at a cost of $207k and increase to 1425 square feet for a three bedroom that costs $575,800 – Not bad! Parking is available for every unit and a spot will run you 25k, a locker costs $3,500. the maint. fees are expected to be .49/sqft.

The building will have a gym, dog run, outdoor silent film screen, sitting area with bbq’s etc. Some special features of the unit are ‘Car Plug Ins’ for hybrid or electrical cars that may be parked. A ‘Car Share’ program which will allow owners and residents to rent a car located in their own building. The 504 King street car will stop right in front of the building as well.

This Building is a LEED GOLD certification – the first certification for a multi-residential building in Canada.  Some of the floor plans are attached. The best bang for your buck units are part of the ‘Bright’ and ‘Wonder’ Collections.

The Post House condos which will be located at George and Adelaide stands 21 floors high and will have 278 units inside. The development is in honour of Toronto ’s first post office, a historical standing near by. The occupancy is expected for August 2013 and prices are still relatively low.

The building will have a 24 hr concierge, fitness room, saunas, party rooms, dining rooms, guest suites, games room and more. Units are ranging in price from $263,000 for 481 square feet and going up into the $700,000 range for 1100 square feet. Parking is available for those purchasing 2 bedroom units or bigger and spots cost 40k, lockers are 4k and there is an option for bicycle storage that can be purchased for $500. Maintenance fees will be .49/ sqft. The Builder is Alterra, the same builder that did ‘The Network Lofts’ in the West Kingsway and ’36 Hazelton’ in Yorkville.

 Some of the floor plans are attached.. for the best price per square foot and layout.. Units B667, B668, B646, B580 seem to be good finds.

Stands 10 stories high with 93 hard loft style units inside.. most with exposed concrete ceilings and hardwood flooring, luxury Italian designed kitchens and oversized balconies. Although there are few amenities the lobby does have a zen like feel to it. It was designed by Core. Architects. And was designed to create a peaceful getaway right inside the city’s core. The cost per square foot is around $550 with parking and oversized balcony. There aren’t any amenities in the building so maintenance fees are lower for the area at .48/square foot.