Rendering of the podium of 60 Colborne, by Freed Developments, St. Lawrence Market, Toronto.
Sixty Colborne
Location: St. Lawrence Market
Builder/developer: Freed Developments
Size: 435 to more than 1,400 square feet
Price: starting from the upper $200,000s
Sales centre: 60 Colborne St., at Church Street. Open Monday to Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m.; Thursday from noon to 7 p.m.; Friday from noon to 6 p.m.; weekends from noon to 5 p.m.
Contact: Phone 416-601-0060 or visit freeddevelopments.com
A prolific condominium developer in the trendy King West neighbourhood is heading into new territory with his next project.
Peter Freed acquired an infill site in an established, east-end location near the St. Lawrence Market to build a 25-storey building offering several suites of more than 1,300 square feet.
"This project is appealing primarily to users, which is exciting as opposed to investors who typically want the super-small units in the skyscraper," says Peter Freed, who received requests to expand suites up to 3,000 square feet leading up to the grand opening this month.
"We're currently working with a lot of people who want to combine units and create larger floor plans, so it's refreshing because it certainly goes against the trend in the industry these days."
But the main cause for excitement among buyers is the location of this contemporary, 281-unit project at 60 Colborne St., right at the southwest corner of King and Church streets.
It's surrounded by theatres and restaurants on Front Street East and bistros and designer shops on King Street, not to mention across from St. James Cathedral and Park.
"It's always incredible to have a park across the street from any home, it's literally a block away from the financial core, and a block away from the St. Lawrence Market," says Mr. Freed. "It's a block from everything that you'd want if you desire to live in the city."
Retail space will also be incorporated into the base of this glass high-rise, which Peter Clewes of architectsAlliance designed to complement the shops and dining establishments in various historic buildings that line Colborne Street.
"Colborne Street itself is such a unique, small street with strong character," says Mr. Freed. "We wanted to do something different, so we spent a lot of time focusing on the podium of the building and created a really unique glass framing mullion system to have fun with."
Residents will also be able to take pleasure in relaxing or entertaining with an exclusive state-of-the-art fitness centre, lounge and outdoor amenity.
"There's going to be a very large, rooftop pool and deck on the 12th storey, which is going to be an exceptional space with views of the park and Financial District," says Mr. Freed.
"Most of the units have large outdoor balconies, but the outdoor rooftop pool and deck area – which everyone has access to – is certainly the most popular component. Not many people have access to a rooftop pool in their condo building."
The balance of the building will contain studios, one and two-bedroom plans – prices averaging $700 to $800 per square foot - with open concept layouts, nine-foot ceilings and walls of windows.
Johnson Chou Inc. will bring a modern aesthetic to the interiors, which will display engineered hardwood floors, bathrooms with Corian, chrome and porcelain tile finishes, and kitchens bearing natural stone or Corian counters, custom cabinetry with integrated panels for appliances (in most suites) and islands with optional breakfast bars.
Other conveniences will include laundry facilities, acoustically-engineered demising party walls and wiring for several communication and media outlets, plus optional gas lines in kitchen and balconies of some units.
Monthly fees are estimated to be 55 to 60 cents per square foot, plus utilities, which will be minimal with many energy-saving measures installed to meet LEED certification.
Purchasers of larger suites can buy parking for $45,000.
Move-in dates are expected for 2015.