Art Shoppe Lofts + Condos, Toronto
Art Shoppe Lofts + Condos, Yonge and Eglinton
Builders/developers Freed Developments and CD Capital Developments
Size 315 to 1,985 square feet
Price $200,000s to $2-million
Sales centre 2131 Yonge St., south of Eglinton Avenue. Open Monday to Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m.; Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m.; weekends from noon to 5 p.m.
Contact Phone 416-487-7373 or visit artshoppecondos.com
Last month, a midtown showroom once displaying upscale furniture turned into a sales centre presenting luxury flats and facilities designed by a fashion powerhouse.
Designer Karl Lagerfeld will instil his signature style to two lobbies within a mixed-use, two-tower development on the former Art Shoppe site at 2131 Yonge St., south of Eglinton Avenue.
"It's the first time Karl Lagerfeld has done something in Canada and probably the last. He's such a prolific fashion designer, to own a piece of that is a once in a lifetime, unique opportunity," says Jordan Dermer, managing partner of CD Capital, who will buy a unit himself for that reason, like several project partners.
"People are really excited at the potential to live in a building where upon arrival every day, they'd be welcomed by beautifully inspired, world class-designed lobbies."
The renowned Chanel designer – who has dressed hotel suites in Paris's Hôtel de Crillon and Berlin's Alma Schlosshotel – is in the process of designing the gateways into the modern 28– and 12-storey high-rises.
"[Lobbies are] almost like public art within a building since the rest of the areas are not available to the public," Mr. Dermer says. "So we thought this would be an incredible way to express aesthetically pleasing public art to both residents within the building and to the public who are visitors."
Another major benefit to the public within the modern infill project, designed by architectsAlliance, will be the 80,000-square-feet of retail space, including a grocer occupying the entire second floor.
"It's one of the best amenities … to be able to stay in a warm connected environment, to go from your condominium into a full-service grocery store with prepared foods, bakery, butcher and pharmacy," Mr. Dermer said.
Alternatively, residents can take a quick jaunt to reach popular restaurants, shops and cinemas, as well as public transit, such as the Eglinton Crosstown light-rail line slated for completion one year following project occupancy in 2019.
"The location is one-of-a-kind; it's a whole city block," Mr. Dermer says. "You can walk across the street to the subway and go north or south on the Yonge line or cross onto the Crosstown line and go east or west."
Private facilities, designed by local firm Cecconi Simone, will consist of a fitness centre with a juice bar and indoor/outdoor yoga space and a party room with a kitchen and bar, plus screening, wine tasting and kids' play rooms.
Outdoors, there will be a linear park with a living wall – connecting Hillsdale and Soudan avenues – and a rooftop terrace with a pool, hot tub, cabanas and barbecue areas overlooking Yonge Street.
"It'll be very green and nice city park for residents of the Yonge and Eglinton community, as well the building, to enjoy," Mr. Dermer says. "[Plus] we have one of the longest pools ever to be built in Toronto with an infinity edge overlooking the entire city skyline directly south with unobstructed views."
Two model suites on site are representative of the collection of 650 suites, which will range from bachelors to two-bedroom-plus-den suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies.
Some suites will offer a higher level of finishes as standard, such as 10-foot ceilings and hardwood floors in upper units in the shorter tower, but all will have contemporary cabinetry, European-style appliances and ceramic tile backsplashes.
Parking stalls will cost $55,000 and monthly fees 55 cents per square feet, plus individually metered hydro.