Edition Richmond, Richmond Street, TorontoAUDAXarchitecture Inc.
EDITION/RICHMOND
LOCATION: Trinity-Bellwoods, Toronto
BUILDER/DEVELOPER: Curated Properties
SIZE: 1,100 to more than 2,000 square feet
PRICE: $700,000s to more than $1-million
SALES CENTRE: 850 Richmond St. W., at Strachan Avenue. Open weekends from noon to 5 p.m.
CONTACT: Phone 416-900-5574 or visit editionrichmond.com
Sky-lit atriums, LED-lit terraces and bathroom walls embedded with wide-screen televisions are luxuries one might only expect to find in large custom estates.
But these are actually some of the unique design elements incorporated into a newly launched urban townhouse development by custom-home builders, Curated Properties.
"We're trying to give people more of what they see in a design magazine rather than the cookie-cutter [designs]of some of the other developments downtown," says Curated Properties president Adam Ochshorn, who has developed many boutique projects with partner Gary Eisen, including the Annex Loft Houses.
"There's a lot of demand for contemporary townhouse developments that really don't exist or there are some happening downtown, but they sell so fast that there isn't a lot to choose from."
However, quantity will also be limited in this condominium residence, called Edition/Richmond, which will replace a former auto garage at end of Richmond Street West, just south of Trinity Bellwoods Park.
"There are only 20 units, so you're not living with 500 strangers waiting for elevators," adds Mr. Ochshorn.
Taking cues from turn-of-the-century row houses and 20th century cubism, AUDAXarchitecture designed the light brick building in a fashion that seamlessly brings together three different model styles.
On the south side, there will be four loft houses – priced from the $800,000s – with entry off a landscaped boulevard on Richmond Street West. These three-storey plans will contain open principal rooms with 18-foot ceilings, three bedrooms, including master suites on mezzanines above, and direct access to a parking garage off the finished level below.
On the upper section of the south façade, there will be eight sky lofts – priced from the $700,000s – with two-storey plans. Accessible by elevator, these units will have two bedrooms and a rooftop terrace.
At the north end of the structure, there will be eight towns – priced at more than $1-million – with private entrances from east or west breezeways, 2,000 square-foot plans with three bedrooms and sky-lit light shafts penetrating all three levels, plus the largest rooftop gardens.
"Most of the units have a minimum of 250-square-foot rooftop. Some of them are even over 500 square feet," says Mr. Ochshorn. "So some of these rooftops are larger than some condos developers are doing downtown."
These rooftop spaces will also be highly functional with portions covered by metal-clad archways lined with woodwork and LED back lights, providing privacy and shade by day and illumination by night.
"It's gives nice ambient lighting in the evening," says Mr. Ochshorn. "The way we furnished it in our model suite, we put in a day bed in that space, but someone could also put their barbecue there, so they're always out of the elements."
Also on site is a replica of a luxurious master bathroom that design firm, Cecconi Simone, outfitted with sleek vanity with twin sinks, soaker tub and a glass shower stall along the light well, plus optional upgraded marble finishes throughout and a television in the mirrored wall.
"Creatively, it's something different you don't see a lot in Toronto," says Mr. Ochshorn, who finds that many townhouse bathrooms are also cramped and narrow. "In that bathroom, the size of it is sometimes common in what you'd find in [3,000-]or 4,000-square-foot houses."
Monthly fees will be minimal without recreation facilities and parking costs $40,000. However, the site is a short walk to galleries, designer boutiques, restaurants and streetcars.
"What we loved about this location is that you're a block from Queen Street – so you have all the benefits of Queen West and Trinity Bellwoods – you're close to Ossington if you want more action, but you're not in the thick of it," adds Mr. Ochshorn.
As of this week, the developers say the project is more than 60 per cent sold.
Occupancy is slated for December, 2013.