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Eau du Soleil condominiums, Etobicoke, Ont. by Empire CommunitiesEmpire Communities

EAU DU SOLEIL

LOCATION: Etobicoke

BUILDER/DEVELOPER: Empire Communities

SIZE: 504 to 1,046 square feet

PRICE: $254,990 to $499,990

SALES CENTRE: 2240 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Unit #107, south of Park Lawn Road. Open Monday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m.; weekends from noon to 5 p.m.

CONTACT: Phone 416-503-3328 or visit eaudusoleilcondos.com

Empire Communities is putting all the pieces in place for what it plans as a brand new community on one of the few remaining development sites on Etobicoke's former lakeside motel strip.

Eau du Soleil is "going to be an icon on the Etobicoke waterfront …both from an architectural perspective and amenity perspective," says executive vice-president, Paul Golini.

For starters, the two towers, 66 and 45 storeys respectively, will have commercial outlets at their base and a new city park on a street evolving with several other residential developments.

"It's important to a large community like this one, not only to the residents of this sub-condo community, but also others in the area … to shop and dine without having to get in their car," Mr. Golini says. "We're trying to enhance the active lifestyle that lakefront living already gives you."

At Eau du Soleil, this means another 40,000 square-feet of private facilities. "We tried to do some different with wine storage areas and a number of small garden plots that will be deeded and owned by purchasers so they can grow their own herbs and vegetables," Mr. Golini says.

"We're trying to highlight the fact you can be in a great area of Toronto – which is only 10 minutes away from the downtown core – without having to be in the midst of the chaos, but still be surrounded by green, water and trails."

The sixth floor will provide a salt-water pool and facilities for CrossFit training, spinning, yoga and martial arts, while the seventh floor will offer more than a handful of entertaining areas, terrace and outdoor basketball and tennis courts. Plus, residents on the 50th floor and above will have access to a penthouse lounge.

Architectural firms Zeidler Partnership and E.I. Richmond Architects also designed the glass high-rises – accented with white metal bands illuminated with LED lights – to optimize sight-lines of everything from winding boardwalks to major event venues. "We're in the fortunate position to have great views on all sides," Mr. Golini states. "From the Etobicoke waterfront, you have two great views: Those that are lake views and also those that are city views."

To celebrate two decades of building communities throughout the GTA, the developer is also launching a program that will allow buyers who save lives to save money on their next home.

Policemen, firefighters, emergency and hospital professionals will receive a 2-per-cent discount on residences at the developer's latest projects, such as Eau du Soleil. Plus $1,000 will be donated to a local hospital or support service. "We always try to establish strong relationships with the community we build in, so it's not just about putting in a tower or building a low-rise community," says Mr. Golini. "Everyone wants these people to be in their community doing their jobs, but we want these people living in the communities and not having to commute. So it's about providing affordable living for these key people that contribute to the fabric of our community."

The initiative – called the Heroes program – is one of many to cultivate a sense of the community in and around the two-tower development on the former Beach Motel site on Lakeshore Boulevard by the entrance to Humber Bay Park.

Since previews began last year, only a third of 750 units remain in the tallest tower, which contains one to three bedroom models. "We're pleasantly surprised by the fact we've sold a bit of everything, which is not always the case," Mr. Golini says.

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