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East United is a 279-unit building north of King Street, spanning between Parliament and Berkeley streets.MIR

BUILDERS/DEVELOPERS

SigNature Communities, Berkshire Axis Development and Andiel Homes

SIZE

350 to 1,400 square feet

PRICE

$199,900 to $800,000s

CONTACT

To register, phone 416-642-7870 or visit eastunitedcondos.com.

As more consumers adopt a lifestyle of locally sourced food and fashion, a team of developers are also seeking local items and inspiration for their latest development in one of Toronto's oldest neighbourhoods.

The 21-storey, mixed-use project, dubbed East United by SigNature Communities, Berkshire Axis Development and Andiel Homes, draws from adjacent buildings for its architectural scheme, King East Design District establishments to furnish its two-bedroom model suite and celebrated restaurants to cater events prior to its June launch.

"We're trying to embrace the neighbourhood instead of coming in and doing something different. So we pulled in features from around the Corktown area and tried to build them into our building," says Sebastian Mizzi, vice-president of SigNature Communities.

"The building will be quite eclectic, which is very much like the east end of Toronto."

For instance, the 279-unit building north of King Street, spanning between Parliament and Berkeley streets, will include a gym, yoga lounge, dining room and event space, as well as facilities enjoyed by native residents.

"We have an art shop and studio because there are a lot of artists in the east end, and a jamming studio because there are a lot of small recording studios around," Mr. Mizzi elaborates. "On the rooftop, we've included an outdoor movie theatre, fire pit and ping pong table as well, so our amenities are very unique."

The larger community embraces an influx of new parks and public spaces in the revitalized West Don Lands and major businesses, such as Coca-Cola, plus long-time haunts such as the Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market.

"My dad was born in the east end of Toronto, so as a kid, I always remember him bringing us down there to show us where he went to school, where my grandfather worked and where everyone lived. So there is a bit of a personal attachment to the east end," Mr. Mizzi says.

"The only place that is still there that I used to go to is the St. Lawrence Market. We use to go down there in the summer and my dad used to go there as a kid."

As another means to fuse the old and new, Giannone Petricone Associates and Giovanni A. Tassone Architect Inc. will integrate a century-old, brick façade of the former Christie, Brown and Co. Stables at 93 Berkeley St. with a contemporary glass tower atop a five-storey podium and lobby off Parliament Street.

"We have an interior mews, which is like a walkway, that spans the south side of the building from Parliament to Berkeley. So it's easy access if you're looking for the Parliament streetcar … or if you're looking to get to the west end of the city, you can go out the Berkeley side," Mr. Mizzi says.

"It adds convenience to the residents in the building, which is unique."

Six two-storey townhomes will line the pedestrian mews, while the rest above will offer one- to four-bedroom plans with balconies. Most will average in the mid-$500,000 per square foot. "Our units are very functional," Mr. Mizzi says. "There's no wasted space."

Buyers can chose or mix and match from three packages by DesignAgency: earth-toned, rustic finishes like the Distillery District; sleek, minimalism of the design district; and eclectic, playfulness of the St. Lawrence Market.

Sustainable building initiatives will range from motion sensors to paints with low volatile organic compounds.

Lockers will be $5,000 and parking $39,900 with suites 600 square feet or larger.

Monthly fees will be 54 cents per square foot and occupancy slated for 2018.

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