News

South Beach Condos + Lofts

Location: Etobicoke

Builder/developer: Amexon Development Corp.

Size: 454 to 2,000 square feet

Price: $188,000 to over $1-million

Sales centre: 88 Park Lawn Rd., north of Lake Shore Boulevard. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekends 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Contact: Phone 416-252-3000 or visit http://www.southbeachtoronto.com

***

Hundreds of buyers wanting to adopt the vibrant South Beach lifestyle without leaving Toronto snatched up every unit in the first phase of an award-winning condominium community on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Since that feat was accomplished in about eight months after the launch last summer, Amexon Development Corp. introduced the second and final phase ahead of schedule.

"Phase two is actually moving quicker than phase one in terms of sales," says executive sales manager Jason Shiff, who notes that 60 per cent of the suites have sold since August. "It's pretty good considering the recession."

Winning three prestigious awards - including this year's title as Most Outstanding High Rise Building from the Ontario Home Builders' Association - likely sparked more interest in the project, called South Beach Condos + Lofts, says Mr. Shiff.

Situated at Park Lawn Road and Lakeshore Boulevard - just 10 minutes west of downtown - the development will consist of 626 units split between a pair of 27-storey towers, 16,000 square feet of retail space and 40,000 square feet of recreational facilities.

"Purchasers continually mention the master-planned resort-style aspect of the community as one of the main reasons for their decision," says Mr. Shiff.

"They appreciate how well the condominium residences, the retail promenade and the lifestyle amenities are integrated with art-deco, Miami-inspired architecture and design."

Residents will be able to enjoy outdoor recreation at waterfront parks and Martin Goodman Trail nearby or relax under the sun at a private pool with cabanas.

All year-round, residents will have exclusive use of an indoor pool, whirlpool tubs, saunas, fitness facilities, a squash court, basketball half-court and a kids play area, in addition to massage rooms, a juice bar and lounge.

For other affairs, whether business or pleasure, there will be media and party rooms, a library and tasting bar, as well as a business centre, Internet lounge and pet daycare.

Cafés, a restaurant, gourmet food store and full-service spa will complete the retail promenade, which will resemble Ocean Drive. "We pretty much included everything that Miami would have and we brought it down to Toronto," adds Mr. Shiff.

In terms of suite designs, there will be one-bedroom to two-bedroom plus den suites with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows. "What's unique about them is that from pretty much all of our units, you can see the water and the downtown skyline," says Mr. Shiff.

Other notable features will include nine-foot ceilings, engineered wood floors and 40-ounce carpeting, along with granite kitchen counters and ceramic and porcelain backsplashes.

Loft-style units between the second and ninth floors will come with over 9.5-foot ceilings and optional exposed ductwork.

"We were so successful with phase one, we didn't want to change anything around," says Mr. Shiff. "We went with the exact same floor plans and exact same finishes."

But as a bonus, purchasers will receive a free parking spot and a locker.

Green features will be standard, from Energy Star appliances to paints without toxic fumes. Green and blue crowns atop each building will have reflective solar panels to generate energy for common areas, thus lowering monthly fees to 38 cents per square foot.

These condominium buildings will also be among the first in the city to incorporate a sprinkler system. "That's a big piece of mind," adds Mr. Shiff.

Occupancy in phase two will begin in 2012.