The Essential condominiums, Markham, Ont.
The Essentials
Berczy Village, Markham
Builder Emery Condominiums
Size 540 to 1,253 square feet
Price $239,900 to $519,900
Sales centre 9610 McCowan Rd., south of Bur Oak Avenue. Open Monday to Thursday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; weekends from noon to 5 p.m.
Contact Phone 905-887-4888 or visit essentialcondos.com
Emery Condominiums aims to bring together the conveniences of a maintenance-free condominium suite with the comforts of a single-family home at its latest development in Markham's Berczy Village.
The boutique mid-rise, called The Essentials, will include large suites with street-level entrances to private front patios and two-car surface parking at the rear, as well as smaller models with extra large balconies and bathrooms.
"We've produced a good mix of product, everything from one-bedrooms to large two-bedroom plus dens, and we even have an unusual product – six bungalow units on the first level on the north part of the building – so that's very attractive," says Robert Cumming, president and CEO of Emery Homes.
"What's made our one-bedroom plus dens popular is that … at 637 square feet, we've got two washrooms, which shows the skill of our design team to fit that in and still have a nice unit. Usually you have to go another 100 to 150 square feet before you get that second washroom."
The diversity of plans available is just one of many driving factors behind the sale of nearly 75 per cent of the 186 units in the L-shaped building, which Turner Fleischer Architects Inc. designed fronting onto Hillwood Street and Bur Oak Avenue, just west of McCowan Road.
"People also like it bec ause it's a six-story building, so it's not a monster tower where you lose connection to the wider community," says Mr. Cumming, whose company built 600 single-family homes in the low-rise neighbourhood.
"This is a one-building site, so there are no other condominium buildings that we're aware of in the immediate vicinity."
What is Nearby are established schools, parks and golf courses, like Angus Glen and York Downs, as well as a supermarket, bank and restaurants at Williamstown Mall just across the street.
Also in close proximity are VIVA bus routes, a GO Train station and highways 404 and 407.
"Some people we've sold houses to as far back as 10 years ago are looking at Essential or bought at Essential because they want to stay in the community," adds Mr. Cumming.
New attractions within the building will consist of a two-storey lobby with concierge, a golf simulator room and fitness centre, plus a party room with a kitchen, dining area and media lounge.
On the rooftop, there will be areas to lounge, barbecue and dine. "Not only does it give you access to the outdoors, but a tremendous view as well," says Mr. Cumming. "If you're on the sixth floor, you'll be able to look down to Toronto."
Large windows will also provide optimal viewing from inside each suite, which will feature nine-foot ceilings, laminate, porcelain and ceramic tile floors and 40-ounce carpeting, along with traditional or contemporary kitchen cabinetry, granite or Caesarstone counters and stainless steel Energy Star appliances.
Each unit will come with a locker and underground parking, plus monthly fees of 48 cents per square foot.
Occupancy is slated for April 2014.