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King Blue condos

King Blue Condominiums, Entertainment District, Toronto

Builders/developers: Easton's Group of Hotels and Remington Group

Size 400 to 1,100 square feet

Price Mid-$200,000s to over $800,000

Sales centre 355 King St., W., east of Blue Jays Way. Open Monday to Thursday from noon to 6 p.m.; weekends from noon to 7 p.m.

Contact Phone 416-599-1355 or visit kingbluecondos.com

Hotel magnate Steve Gupta has built 15 projects in his three decades in the business, attempting to create a home away from home in such places as the Hilton Garden Inn in Toronto and Courtyard by Marriott in Kingston.

So, he says, it was a natural move for his company, Easton's Group of Hotels, to build its first condominium development – in partnership with Remington Group – in Toronto's Entertainment District.

"It's a destination. People living there will feel like they're on a vacation," says Mr. Gupta, who has seen 45 per cent of the first phase in the two-tower project get snatched up by buyers, including his grown children. "Every hotel I've built has won awards because I take pride in paying attention to details."

For instance, as a time-strapped professional and family man, Mr. Gupta understands the value of on-site conveniences, such as a state-of-the-art gym and pool.

"When you have to get in a car, you say you'll go tomorrow. It is human nature. But it's a lot easier to take the elevator and go downstairs and everything is available," Mr. Gupta notes.

"We're also trying to create a babysitting service. These days, people work so hard putting 10 to 11 hours in at work … so they need a break because it is hard to get out."

These attractions and more, including the Theatre Museum of Canada and 13,000 to 35,000 square feet of retail space off a courtyard, will be found in two seven-storey podiums below the 44- and 48-storey glass towers, which will incorporate the original brick and terracotta façade of the historic Westinghouse building at the corner of King Street and Blue Jays Way.

"My daughter – vice-president of sales, marketing and strategic development – wants to create a mini Yorkville," Mr. Gupta explains."It's important to have some nice boutique shops … and we're planning to have a 24-hour deli for people who go out at night and at 2 or 3 a.m. they can't get good food to eat."

Furthermore, residents will have exclusive access to a party room, theatre and rooftop gardens, including a 5,800-square-foot terrace with a bar, lounging and dining areas and floating fire pits with metal, ivy covered trellises.

"You're lucky if you get 1,000 square feet on the roof and we have 6,000 square feet basically," Mr. Gupta adds.

Should residents venture off the premises, they will be steps from major sports venues, clubs, bistros and transit.

"It's close to everything – all the theatres, Roy Thomson Hall, TIFF [Bell Lightbox] and Rogers stadium – and the Metro Convention Centre and Union Station are not that far," says Mr. Gupta. "You can't beat that location."

The shorter, south tower will be composed of 434 units, ranging from studio to three-bedroom plans.

Three quarters of the models will be priced under $500,000, and two or three units can be combined into one up to 1,825 square feet.

Munge Leung devised a European, yet contemporary interior design package with hardwood floors, granite and marble counters and stainless-steel kitchen appliances, plus practical elements, such as cubbyholes and medicine cabinets.

Currently, monthly fees will be 52 cents per square feet and parking $55,000. Shared vehicles will also be provided.

Editor's note: The original print version of this story incorrectly stated that a quarter of the units would be priced under $500,000. In fact, three quarters of the units will be priced under $500,000. This online version has been corrected.

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