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New in Toronto real estate: Ten York Condos
Ten York Condos says that you will surely be 'SmitTEN' with its design. And I say you're probably shaking your head in disappointment. Anyway, this is condo that got its neighbours all up in arms (that sure narrows it down...) due to very real concerns about added area density. Rising 735 feet and bringing thousands of new residents to York and Harbour, Ten York will certainly make a statement on Toronto's skyline and, more than likely, on your downtown rush hour commute. Here is a closer look at Ten York Condos.
SPECS
Address: 10 York Street
Floors: 65
Elevators: 7
Total number of units: 690 (approx)
Types of units: One bedroom, one-plus-den, two-bedroom, three-bedroom
Unit sizes (in square feet): 565- 1305 (Plus signature selection suites)
Ceiling heights: 8'6" - 10'
Prices from: Low $400,000's
Parking: $55,000 (For two bedroom or larger)
Locker: $4,500
Parking maintenance: $36
Locker maintenance: $16
Maintenance fees: $0.45/s.f. +ultilities
Developer: Tridel
Architect: Wallman Architects
Interior Design: II by IV Design
Amenities: Party room, games room, fitness centre, billiards room, yoga studio, concierge, theatre room, guest suites, juice bar, sauna, pool, outdoor terrace
Expected occupancy: Summer 2017
THE GOOD
Um, score one for unobstructed views? That is, if you snag a unit above, say, the 35th or 40th floor (which will come at a premium, of course). Yes, living in one of the tallest buildings in the area will surely provide a picturesque view — but only until the next developer comes along with a sketch for 75 storeys or more. But in the meantime, and just as long as you're not afraid of heights, you'll be treated to a living postcard each time you look beyond your living room furniture. Is it a view worth half a million dollars? To some people, probably.
And speaking of wealth, Ten York residents are looking at paying a small fortune for a tiny little rectangle in Ten York's underground garage. The good news is, they really don't have to. The building will pretty much be within walking distance to everything, including GO trains, Union Station, the ACC, two supermarkets, and plenty of bars and restaurants. For someone who lives and breathes downtown, Ten York has itself a great location.
The suites themselves are pretty basic before upgrades, but it is refreshing to see some sensibility in design. Units start at a healthy (though by no means generous) 565 square feet and are arranged such that most bedrooms have windows (which, yes, is often overlooked in new condo designs).
THE BAD
I've never quite understood the appeal of having the Gardiner as your neighbour. Humming mufflers as your lullaby? And speaking of neighbours, this area better brace for a cool couple thousand extra moving in when Ten York welcomes its residents. The added density will just mean more congestion, traffic, and noise outside, and considerable wear over time on Ten York's common building elements. Granted, I suspect many of the buyers will be investors and not occupants, but $730 per square foot seems like an awfully high price to pay for a unit beside the Expressway.
As mentioned earlier, many of the suites in Ten York will boast spectacular views, but very few of them will actually come equipped with private balcony spaces. The ones that do will have something between a Juliet and an actual functional balcony. In other words — room for one of those Canadian Tire fold out camping chairs, or maybe two. I suppose I can understand the practical hiccups of inviting residents to sprawl out on their balconies at 700 feet up in the air, but most people like a little private outdoor time. Especially when the only other option is a deck shared by the thousands of other residents in the building.
And again, separate parking and locker maintenance fees? $16 per month for someone to sweep out the locker cages? $36 to, uh, clear leaves out of the parking garage? (Wait, this is downtown — there are no leaves). I can see why it makes sense to exempt those without parking spaces and lockers from having to pay for upkeep, but what about those who don't use the pool, or the fitness centre, or the juice bar? They still have to pay general maintenance fees, after all. These auxiliary costs just seem like an added cash grab, to me.
THE VERDICT
Maybe the NIMBYers were onto something...
What do you think? Would you live here? Add your comments to the thread below.
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Discussion
41 Comments
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NOT!
Since there seem to be reasonably few parking spaces (only available for sale to units with 2+ bedrooms) this is a pretty reasonable approach.
Robyn's analysis and commentary is going downhill, plus never acknowledges when basic errors are pointed out in the comments.
As to increasing the density in the area.. buildings are better than parking lots, it's nearly on top of the central point in our regional transportation network, plus there are office buildings within 3 blocks and more being built. If not more density here, then where, exactly?
She's hot though
Ten York was the most successful condo project of 2012, and sold an astounding number of units in November and December when the market was in the tank.
Despite the fact that this article features more cons than pros, Tridel must have done something right. And the 600+ people who bought suites there agree.
Guess what - if you bought a house without a parking spot .. and the one beside you had one.... yours would be worth less.
I agree with the review. The suites have a reasonable size and if you have the dough and love the location then it's a good place to live. I'd be a little concerned about the number of elevators though. 65 stories is a lot for only 7 elevators. Would the view be worth the wait you'll have every time you want to go in and go out? Though the building itself is so conveniently located maybe it would offset this.
If you don't like the article (or writer), why read it? Go back to watching the Kardashians and humble-bragging on facebook about your new starter BMW.
By the way, I just looked at the site and for about half a million bucks, the "Classic Collection" includes really low popcorn ceilings (they still do that?) and laminate floors, if you can't afford to upgrade. And if you are one of those people not spending a million bucks, then yes, you are likely to be looking out at the expressway.
Really though, all of Toronto is condos
The whole "separate maintenance fee" thing has been explained to Robyn in comments on previous postings. It makes perfect sense and is not a cash grab... it is additional space that you own (and can sell separately from your unit if you so chose), and so you pay to maintain it. Don't own a space, don't pay to maintain it. Not sure why this is a difficult concept to accept.
They're always looking for writers.
GOOD LUCK, and hope you have thick skin.
But seriously, I get the feeling the same people that complain about condos also complain about suburban sprawl. We can't all live in Parkdale duplexes, 8 renters to a house. The comment about 5-10 storeys is spot on though, and Toronto is actually getting better at it. Check out some of the city's Avenue Studies, and some of the new midrise infill along more established streets.
And the sound from the Gardiner isn't that bad, it's more the idiots who lean on their horns for 30 seconds because they get stuck in the middle of the intersection at Bay & Lakeshore during rush hour. The Gardiner is usually just above a din, although I will say that it was quite nice the weekend they had the Gardiner shut down because you could only hear the hum of the city.
Thanks for chiming in and, of course, I welcome both positive and negative feedback.
But just a note to "Simon Tarses," "Me," "Alex," "Dad," and "Mom:" I invite you to compile all of your commentary into one post (or at the very least, invest in an IP blocker) since each criticism is obviously from one account. Trolling is much more effective when the source is more ambiguous. Thanks!
A recent Toronto star article said:
"It’s that too much of what’s for sale now are small, poorly laid-out units, aimed at investors, rather than the average buyer, realtors say."
So apparently she's not the only one who thinks some of these new builds are stupid.
Thanks!