On Site, 88 Scott Condominiums, Financial District, TorontoConcert Properties
88 SCOTT
LOCATION: Financial District, Toronto
BUILDER/DEVELOPER: Concert Properties
SIZE: over 360 to over 1,900 square feet
PRICE: $300,000 to over $800,000
CONTACT: To register, phone 416-216-8588 or visit 88scott.com
Concert Properties acquired an infill site large enough to create an urban community with hundreds of private residences and several outdoor and indoor recreation facilities, shops and cafe.
But rather than sidewalks and streets to connect them all, there will be high speed elevators.
"It's a tall building of 58-storeys, so to give it more of a neighbourhood feel rather than a dominating tower, we're building a vertical neighbourhood," says general manager of project sales, Catherine Diraison.
"So instead of being only in your suite or on the amenity floor, we've got three separate areas of amenities you can visit, so it has people moving around the building a bit and makes it more like a neighbourhood."
At street-level, there will be a café, private lobby and meeting room.
On top of the five-storey podium – overlooking Berczy Park – there will be an indoor pool, aerobic and yoga studios, a juice bar, screening room, fireside lounge, billiards rooms and terrace with areas to exercise, sunbath, barbecue and dine.
The 46th and 47th floors will feature a split-level lounge with a party room, bar, caterer's kitchen and private dining room.
"This also allows everybody the benefit of the views from different levels, so it's not just the people who can afford to be on top of the building that get the great views," adds Ms. Diraison.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies will also provide optimal views of the attractions surrounding this 480-unit development at 88 Scott St., situated just north of Wellington Street and east of Yonge Street.
"Truly, this is the best of both worlds: we are right on the cusp of the Financial District and St. Lawrence Market," Ms. Diraison said. "People that work in the Financial District can buy there and walk to work and everything else for entertainment, and they're still in a nice, friendly charming neighbourhood, they're not surrounded by all towers."
Highlights within the immediate vicinity include the St. Lawrence Market, Flatiron building, theatres, performance halls and restaurants. Across the road, the PATH system offers underground access to additional shops, services and subway, including Union station.
More retail outlets will be added facing Wellington and Colborne streets and in the atrium of this glass tower, which Page+Steele/IBI Group injects with classic architecture elements to complement a 61-year-old limestone building being refurbished on site.
Union31 will bring a contemporary feel to the interiors, which will feature studios to three-bedroom plans with open concept spaces, smooth nine to ten-foot ceilings, wide plank laminate floors and integrated European-style kitchen appliances.
Once sales begin later this month, buyers can tour a model suite and two kitchen vignettes showcasing three colour packages available to them.
"People don't have time nor do they have the expertise to go through all those myriad of choices," says Ms. Diraison, who explains this practice was well received at other projects by the Vancouver-based company, such as a boutique building nearby, The Berczy.
"And by not having as many choices, you have better quality control."
Eco-friendly materials and energy-efficiently operating systems will also be standard as the project will be built to acquire LEED Gold certification.
Suites will range from 360 to over 1,900 square with the average being 850 square feet. Penthouses will range from 2,600 to over 4,000 square feet, but prices are not yet available.
Occupancy is expected for spring 2016.