Abode Magazine, Fall 2016 by Abode Magazine

FALL 2016

Italia Ricci From badass on Supergirl to Politico on Designated Survivor with KiEfer Sutherland 21 Hot Design Ideas for your home Extension of Hwy 407 HelpS Fuel Home Sales Menkes masters the missing piece on Torontoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Waterfront Special Features â&#x20AC;&#x2122;HOODS From Hamilton to Peterborough Get your Garden Ready for Winter

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INDIGOESTATES.CA Exclusively sold by Spectrum Realty Services Inc. * Prices and specifications subject to change without notice. Rendering is an artist’s concept. Architectural elements may vary from rendering shown. E. & O. E.

abode Fall 2016

contents Fall

2016

neighbourhoods

home work play By Vicky Sanderson

12 clarington 13 hamilton 14 milton

15 peterborough 16 yorkville

20 RETAIL HOTSPOTS 22 DESIGNER REGINA STURROCK 24 BED TECH 30 HIGH/LOW: The Barcelona Chair 39 savE energy (and $$$) this winter

real estate news 18 Hooray for STACKED townHomes 36 OUTDOORSY COLLINGWOOD 45 ABODE WAS THERE 47 putting the missing piece in place 50 NIMBY TO YIMBY 55 new home trends 56 OHBA Awards 4

abode Fall 2016

60 kylemore WINS 62 AQUALINA IS SKYWARD 64 SALES BOOM IN GTA EAST 66 URBANE IN THE WILD 68 cottage paradise 70 the HELLO PROJECT 72 the dirt

Photo by Spencer Wynn

celebrity

outdoor living By Owen Reeves

IS YOUR garden READY for winter? On the Cover

Italia Ricci “Any day acting beside Kiefer [Sutherland] is not a bad day,” says Italia Ricci with a hint of awe in her voice. “It is definitely surreal; sometimes I step outside of myself and wonder, how did I get here?”

34 This hosta was planted in an area where it got too much sun so it actually got sunburned. The discoloured leaves and the stress of the sun are showing. Make sure you look at the sun/shade preferences of plants so they can be planted where they will thrive.

spotlights

Photo by Brent Weber

go beyond the surface.

10 LINDVEST 17 MATTAMY 46 MORTGAGE PROS 54 EDEN OAK 58 KYLEMORE

Whenever you see the layar icon, use the app to scan the page to see additional content!

abode Fall 2016

Publisher Dana Robbins General Manager John Willems Regional Director of Advertising Cheryl Phillips Advertising Manager Braden Simmonds Editorial Director Alan A. Vernon Associate Editor Tasha Zanin Regional Director, Creative Services Katherine Porcheron Graphic Designers Karen Alexiou Geoff Thibodeau Cover Design Montana Steele Cover Photography Dani Brubaker Distribution Manager Mike Banville Sales Cindy Lloyd (Owner) Media Power Play cindy@mediapowerplay.com Carlos Parra Contributors BILD Association Tracy Hanes Katherine Moore Rob Nicolucci Owen Reeves Vicky Sanderson, Design/Decor Editor Cece Scott Spectrum Realty Ryan Starr Photographers Duncan McAllister Carole & Roy Timm Brent Weber Spencer Wynn Mailing Address: Metroland Media Toronto 175 Gordon Baker Rd. Toronto, ON M2H 0A2 For further information regarding all our products please call us at 416-493-4400 Abode is a specialty publication published by Metroland Media. Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of this publication in whole or in part must be approved by the Publisher.

abodetoronto

abode Fall 2016

abodetoronto

from the publisher

hen we first conceived of Abode,

we knew we would have stiff competition from real estate magazines that have been publishing for

decades; magazines that focus almost exclusively on the real estate market.

As the new kid on the block, we thought it was time to up the ante and take our magazine in a new direction. Real

estate is certainly at the heart of Abode, but our magazine is about so much more. Think of us as a magazine about real estate, but seen through a more stylish lifestyle lens. This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cover is a great example of that, featuring Italia Ricci, the Toronto star who appears opposite Kiefer Sutherland in the new ABC drama Designated Survivor. As excited as we are to bring you Ricci's story, we are equally proud of our coverage of real estate development in one of the most vibrant markets in North America. In this issue we give kudos to Tridel for its big win as Builder of the Year as awarded by the Ontario Home Builders' Association. Congrats Tridel. And we are especially honoured that patriarch Peter Menkes took the time to do an exclusive photo shoot with us and chat about how his family-run business is transforming an LCBO property on Toronto's waterfront into a work, live and play destination. We also visit Camp Erin, a bereavement retreat for children and teens from the GTA. Named after Erin Metcalf, who lost her life to liver cancer at 17, Camp Erin operates in locations across North America and has served tens of thousands of children impacted by the loss of a family member. We were inspired by Camp Erin and the manner in which this group helps these youngsters deal with such life-changing events. Abode is happy to help spread the word about this worthy cause. We hope you enjoy this issue of Abode. And thank you for joining us on this journey as we re-imagine what a real estate magazine can be.

Dana Robbins Publisher

abode Fall 2016

contributors Spencer wynn

@spencerwynn

Learning from a Canadian World War II photographer at the OCAD U inspired Spencer Wynn’s love of visual journalism. From staying in yurts in Inner Mongolia to a slum in India and an ice floe in the High Arctic, Wynn delivers compelling visual narratives that challenge what we see and how we live.

ryan starr

@torontostarr

Raven-haired Ryan Starr finished seventh on the first season of American Idol. But that’s not who’s writing for Abode. This Ryan Starr is a seasoned real estate scribe, a correspondent for the Toronto Star, Bisnow Toronto and Epoch Times, among others. He can’t sing, but few know GTA real estate better.

cece M. scott

cecescott.com

abode Fall 2016

@tracyhanes

Freelance writer Tracy Hanes specializes in new home, real estate and renovation stories and has been published in Canada's largest daily newspapers and numerous magazines. She loves riding her horses, walking her dog and exploring destinations near and far.

vicky sanderson

@vickysanderson

A self-professed opinionista, Vicky Sanderson has strong views on home design and decor, about which she has been writing for nearly two decades. Having tested just about every appliance known, she maintains that households function most efficiently with a minimum of gadgets.

Spectrum Realty spectrumrealtyservices.com

Cece Scott, a free-spirited journalist and photographer, travels the world seeking adventure, photographing local culture and the wonderful people she meets. Her work has appeared in the Toronto Star and Dreamscapes: Travel and Lifestyle, GoodLife, Active Life and PhotoEd magazines.

Spectrum Realty (and counterpart Spectrum Sky) are connoisseurs of new home sales, marketing and resale real estate. The partners have been in the business for more than 25 years and have won multiple awards, both locally and internationally. Passion, humour and balance define these trailblazers.

Rob Nicolucci

owen reeves

rndesign.com

The team at RN Design are visionaries, revolutionaries and dreamers who have for 25 years been at the forefront of architectural design for multiple forms of housing for both local and national builders and developers.

tracy hanes

@theowenreeves

Owen Reeves is a fourth generation family member working in the garden industry. He owns The Outside Element, focusing on horticultural consultation, design and planting to create sustainable outdoor spaces. Owen is also the garden expert on The Marilyn Denis Show.

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Spotlight // lindvest

sonic

Introducing the future of perfect condos, Sonic condominiums by Lindvest at Eglinton and Don Mills. Close to shopping and dining, the future Eglinton Crosstown will whisk you from points A to B in the blink of an eye. The stunning tower designed by Page & Steele / IBI Group will stand 28 storeys with a three-storey podium. Sonic condominiums will encompass over 25,000 square feet of thoughtfully designed indoor and exterior amenity space, including a walking path, exercise equipment, yoga studio, steam rooms, games room, catering kitchen, lounges, and a pet spa. Residents will be able to make the most of the summer with barbeques, fire pits, and cabanas on the podium rooftop. Priced from the low $200,000s. lindvest.com/sonic

abode Fall 2016

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neighbourhoods by katherine moore

No matter where you go this month, even in the heart of the concrete jungle, the common thread is harvest: the abundance of produce and the brilliant landscapes. So now would be a good time to trade in the icy Strongbow for some hot mulled cider, air out oversized sweaters and take the dog for a walk in a colourful park. In this issue, we feature five great neighbourhoods where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sure to find good food, a soothing beverage, peaceful pathways, and a host of new homes and condos to call your own.

Photo by Dan Pearce/Metroland

Clarington UNIQUE BOUTIQUE: VIOLET DOOR BOOKS & GIFTS What distinguishes the Violet Door is its owners Joanne and Bryan. Their downto-earth authenticity is evident the moment you meet them. Take your time to browse the inspired, always evolving selection of new products, including oneof-a-kind alpaca apparel, handmade jewellery, beeswax products, children’s books and curiosities, meditation pillows and CDs, and essential oils. Be sure to check out the collection of used books, too. Location: 185 Church St., Bowmanville

PUB GRUB: BULL DOG Admission of guilt: The Bull Dog is on the border of Courtice and Oshawa. However, it is frequented by many a Courtice resident on any given night, not strictly because of the wildly popular two-sticky-thumbs-up chicken wings, special events and sports TVs. Note that Brian Greene, the owner, has a soft spot for Scottish pipers in full regalia—they’ve been known to grace the stage from time to time. Location: 600 Grandview Dr. S., Oshawa (Enter off Bloor St., west of Townline Rd. S.)

APPLES GALORE: ALLIN’S ORCHARD MARKET The locals often debate which grower in the area offers the best Honey Crisp apple; in our house it’s Allin’s. Open from August to December, this is a one-stop harvest shop for a variety of apples, fall veggies like turnip, squash and sweet potatoes, along with local honey, cider and Empire cheese. Location: 3479 Concession Rd. 3, Newcastle Photo by Jason Liebregts / Metroland

HEALTH NUT: TERRENS WELLNESS CENTRE

Developments brought to you by HomeFinder.ca 1. Bowmanville Waterfront by Kaitlin Corporation 2. Summervale by Falconcrest Homes 3. Timber Trails by Far Sight Homes 4. Newbrook by Brookfield 5. Soper Creek Bowmanville by Kaitlin Corporation 6. Orchard West by Picture Homes

HOME OWNERSHIP Average Household Income: $98,462 Average Assessed Home Values: condo, $212,000; detached, $402,000; waterfront property, $573,000 Number of People Per Household: 2.8 Home Ownership: 90% own; 9% rent Population Age: 30% are 20-44 Source for Average Assessed Home Values: MCAP August 2016

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Natural, organic and, in some cases, essential makes Terrens Wellness Centre a local mainstay. Owner Karen Lowery, a certified reiki master, is a wealth of information, having studied homeopathy, the use of essential oils, herbs and supplements, all of which are available in her shop. Also in abundance: herbal teas, organic foods and skin care products, as well as gemstones and crystals. Location: 5314 Main St., Orono

FALL COLOUR WATCH: GANARASKA FOREST This is south-central Ontario’s largest forest, home to 11,000-plus acres of outdoor recreation like hiking, geocaching, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and treetop trekking, the latter of which offers the ideal outlook for taking in the burnt orange, gold and crimson colours of the fall season. Also permitted, motorized vehicles such as snow mobiles and mountain bikes in designated areas. Location: 10585 Cold Springs Camp Rd., Campbellcroft

Hamilton FALL COLOUR WATCH: ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS Although technically located in Burlington, the Royal Botanical Gardens has extensive gardens in Hamilton, too. You have two options for taking in the autumn splendour at RBG. The nature sanctuaries can be navigated on foot or by canoe; there are 27 kilometres of trails and two canoe launch sites. Location: 680 Plains Road W., Burlington

UNIQUE BOUTIQUE: WHITE ELEPHANT The edgy, timeless and supremely wearable apparel from independent designers, the majority of whom are Canadian, has been carefully curated by White Elephant’s discerning owners. The same can be said of the small-batch handmade accessories crafted by local and international artisans: jewellery, ceramics, greeting cards and a selection of organic botanical perfumes from Torontobased Province Apothecary. Location: 133 James St. N. and 1032 King St. W.

PUB GRUB: THE WINKING JUDGE The Victorian gingerbread semi that houses this crafty ale house reeks of authenticity. Benches softly upholstered in British racing green face well-worn wooden pews separated by wrought iron trestle tables. Sure there’s nosh—wings, burgers, fish and chips, veggie quesadillas—but you’ll also want to examine the list of 36 micro brews. More than 785 different beers have been served at the Judge. Location: 25 Augusta St.

APPLES GALORE: MEYERS APPLE FARM Pick a sun-filled day and head to Copetown; you’ll appreciate the location as much for the dozen varieties of tree-fresh apples the Meyers’ family farm specializes in and for the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. More than apples, you can stock up on an abundance of fall fruits and veg until December 4. Location: 37 Highway 52, Copetown (a 20-minute drive west of Hamilton)

HEALTH NUT: GOJI BERRY HEALTH FOODS

Developments brought to you by HomeFinder.ca 1. Kaleidoscope by LIV Communities 2. Explore and Life by Branthaven Homes 3. Summerlea Woods by Empire Communities 4. Tivoli Condominiums by Diamante Holdings 5. Mountainview Heights by Greenpark and Starlane Homes 6. Central Park by Losani Homes

HOME OWNERSHIP

This independently owned and operated shop is chock-a-block with vitamins, homeopathic remedies, herbs, tinctures, probiotics, protein products, bio skin care and makeup, and allergy-friendly foods. Also on site, you have the benefit of a registered homeopath, holistic nutritionist, reflexologist and therapeutic touch practitioner.

Average Household Income: $78,099 Average Assessed Home Values: condo, $231,000; detached, $376,000; waterfront property, $881,000 Number of People Per Household: 2.6 Home Ownership: 69% own; 31% rent Population Age: 33% are 20-44

Location: 944 King St. W.

Source for Average Assessed Home Values: MCAP August 2016

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Milton

HEALTH NUT: GOOD HEALTH MART In whatever way you’re looking to improve your health and well-being, there are dozens of brands and specialized products on hand at GHM. In addition to the supplements, herbal tinctures, natural and organic food items, protein systems, pet care products (the list goes on), many locations have health care experts on hand to help you.

UNIQUE BOUTIQUE: WILLIAMS MILL Drive a few minutes north of Milton to the Williams Mill Visual Art Centre and you’ll discover a cluster of artisans who specialize in ceramics, glass, fibre arts, sculpture, jewellery-making and wearable art. Not only can you visit the artists at their easels or workbenches (Fridays and Saturdays are the best meet ‘n’ greet days), you can purchase art pieces from the shop. Need we remind you that the gift-giving season swiftly approaches? Location: 515 Main St., Glen Williams

Location: 840 Main St. E.

FALL COLOUR WATCH: KELSO CONSERVATION AREA During the fall months, the vibrant colours at Kelso seem to explode across the escarpment. Without question, the best view is from a chairlift ride up and down the hill, but you can also rent a paddle boat down at the reservoir, or fill your pockets with trail mix and hike your way through the festival of changing colours. For the daredevils, you can rival one another with competitive cyclo-cross races. Location: 5234 Kelso Rd.

PUB GRUB: NED DEVINE’S Whether or not you become a regular at the Monday Night Dart League or test your wits at Pub Stumpers’ Trivia on Tuesdays, it’s a sure thing you’ll enjoy the authentic Irish atmosphere that, at times, just might wake the dead Ned. On Wednesdays, you can marry up a couple of Irish pints–Guinness, Harp, Kilkenny and Smithwicks–for only $5.99 with dusted wings or the cottage pie, and you’ll think you’ve won the lottery. Whatever will you do for the rest of the week? Location: 575 Ontario St. S.

APPLES GALORE: SPRINGRIDGE FARM

Developments brought to you by HomeFinder.ca 1. Arbor Peaks by Great Gulf 2. Panorama by Andrin Homes and Royal Park Homes 3. 16 Mile Creek by Primont Homes 4. West Country Milton by Country Homes 5. 500 Cedar Hedge Road by Ashley Oaks 6. VIVA3 by Valery Homes

So much more than apples, at this time of year, you’ll find locally grown sweet peas, cherries, corn, apple cider and garden mums. And honey is harvested from the one million bees that huddle in hives beside the pond. Christmas comes to Springridge Farm starting November 26 in the form of holiday baking, gourmet foods, Fraser Fir Christmas trees and a visit from Santa.

HOME OWNERSHIP

Location: 7256 Bell School Line

Source for Average Assessed Home Values: MCAP August 2016

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Average Household Income: $108,650 Average Assessed Home Values: condo, $317,000; detached, $633,000 Number of People Per Household: 3.0 Home Ownership: 90% own; 9% rent Population Age: 39% are 20-44

Peterborough PUB GRUB: ASHBURNHAM ALE HOUSE Just because they have a soft spot for sammiches, don’t be fooled into thinking this craft beer café is a Celtic-only menu kinda place. One look at the mains and you’ll be debating whether to have the spanakopita, karma bhan pho noodles or the coconut chicken curry. Wash any or all of them down with a craft draught or a well-sourced glass of vino, then slowly savour an expertly made Americano. Location: 128 Hunter St. E.

APPLES GALORE: PETERBOROUGH FARMERS’ MARKET

Photo courtesy Canadian Canoe Museum

UNIQUE BOUTIQUE: THE TUMBLEHOME SHOP Tumblehome is a one-of-a-kind shop curated by The Canadian Canoe Museum, featuring paintings, pottery, apparel, DIY kits, blankets, drinkware, jewellery, canoe-themed stationary, and musical instruments like kazoos and bamboo flutes. Plan for the 90-minute museum tour, too—you’ll see wellcrafted canoes, many representing different construction methods from across Canada, and maybe even hear stories that you've never heard before. Location: 910 Monaghan Rd.

Developments brought to you by HomeFinder.ca 1. River Bend by Averton Homes 2. The Abour by Mason Homes 3. Summer Lane by Parkview Homes 4. Burnham Meadows by Picture Homes 5. Heritage Park by Lancaster Homes 6. Parklands by Mason Homes

HOME OWNERSHIP Average Household Income: $67,052 Average Assessed Home Values: condo, $225,000; detached, $258,000; waterfront property, $339,000 Number of People Per Household: 2.4 Home Ownership: 64% own; 35% rent Population Age: 32% are 20-44

Open year-round (Saturdays from 7am to 1pm), this is one of the best times to become acquainted with the market. Vendors include area fruit and vegetable growers, cattle, poultry and emu farmers, along with fresh baked goods, honey and syrup, natural remedies for you and your pets, woodcrafts and textiles, and a resident busker who’ll serenade you on guitar and vocals. Location: Roger Neilson Way, south of Lansdowne and George Sts.

HEALTH NUT: THE MAIN INGREDIENT Don’t miss Thrifty Thursday held on the third Thursday of every month. They offer up free samples, product demos, discounts and you can enter the draw for something healthful. Among the store’s regularly featured brands are Neal Brothers, Bee By The Sea, Genestra, Balzac’s coffee, plus more than 200 tea varieties. Location: 326 Charlotte St.

FALL COLOUR WATCH: PETERBOROUGH & THE KAWARTHAS FALL DRIVING TOURS In fact, it’s up to you whether you take four wheels or two (motorized or otherwise) to tour around this well-treed landscape. There’s a dozen designated tour itineraries on the P&K website (address below). If your sweet tooth kicks off en route, the site also lists 28 vendors on the celebrated Butter Tart Tour. You could book into a B&B or lakeside cottage for the weekend. Website: thekawarthas.ca

Source for Average Assessed Home Values: MCAP August 2016

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Yorkville PUB GRUB: THE OXLEY HOUSE Prepared by British chef Andrew Carter, the pub grub at Oxley is made from scratch. It’s “not posh nosh,” as the website states, but classic Brit dishes like steak and chips, Ploughman’s platter, and fish pie and peas go down nicely with a good pint or a glass of wine. The two-bar setup—one up, one down—has two patios and a sports screening room. Ask about the Snug and the Feasting Menu. Location: 121 Yorkville Ave.

APPLES GALORE: PUSATERI’S

Photo by Terry Rishel

There’s no denying you’ll find in-season apples at Pusateri’s. But beyond the fall fare, prepare your senses accordingly. Visually, there is no escaping the fresh-market appeal of Fuyu persimmons, dragon fruit and king oyster mushrooms. Then there is the mouth-watering allure of Berkshire prosciutto, the Boschetto al Tortufo semi-soft cheese and meaty Cerignola green olives. There’s really no end to Pusateri’s expertly curated collection of gourmet foods. Location: 57 Yorkville Ave.

UNIQUE BOUTIQUE: THE CAT'S MEOW Not just another vintage shop, the Meow also rents items that date from the 1920s to 1980s to the film and television industry. Industry insiders, designers, the press and media stylists search the Meow for inspiration. Louise Cooper, the owner, personally sources the vintage clothing and accessories, as well as approves the luxury designer resale pieces. Look for labels such as Pucci, Oleg Cassini, YSL and Dior. Among the newer treasures in the shop, Chloé, Prada, Chanel, Hermes and Louis Vuitton. Location: 180 Avenue Rd.

HEALTH NUT: GINKGO HEALTH SHOP From tonics and meal supplements to bone health and probiotics, Gingko Health not only has a remarkable selection of healthy must-haves, the location in the Holt Renfrew Centre makes it especially convenient for health enthusiasts—local residents and young professionals—looking to stay on top of their game in one of the most dynamic neighbourhoods in the GTA. Location: 50 Bloor St. W. (Holt Renfrew Centre)

FALL COLOUR WATCH: VILLAGE OF YORKVILLE PARK

Developments brought to you by HomeFinder.ca 1. One Twenty Eight Hazelton by Mizrahi Developments 2. Yorkville Park by Minto and North Drive 3. 1 Yorkville by Bazis and Plaza 4. 33 Avenue Road Condos by Empire 5. Cumberland Tower by Camrost 6. The One by Mizrahi Developments

HOME OWNERSHIP Average Household Income: $91,470 Average Assessed Home Values: condo, $465,000; detached, $1,246,000 Number of People Per Household: 2.34 Home Ownership: 47% own; 52% rent Population Age: 44% are 20-44 Source for Average Assessed Home Values: MCAP August 2016

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What was once a parking lot built over the Bloor subway line is today a popular destination to sit and read, meet a friend, or simply people watch. The celebrated greenspace was designed in 1994 with 11 sections that depict a different Ontario landscape: several groves (pine, birch, alder, amelanchier), prairie wildflower and herbaceous border gardens, fragrant herb rock garden, crabapple orchard, the festival walk, Ontario marsh, and a piece of the Canadian Shield. Location: 115 Cumberland St.

OF SPECIAL INTEREST: ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM Among the many spectacular exhibits at the ROM is the display of Dale Chihuly’s glass work (pictured above). It's breathtaking. Chihuly’s groundbreaking explorations in colour, light and form have ranked him one of the world’s foremost artists working in glass today. On until January 2, 2017. Location: 100 Queen’s Park

Spotlight // MATTAMY HOMES

WATCH FOR VITA ON THE LAKE In the trendy Etobicoke area of Humber Bay Shores, Mattamy Homes and Biddington Homes are excited to announce Vita on the Lake. The 53-storey condominium on Marine Parade Drive is close to the Humber Bay Marina and Martin Goodman Trail, plus a wealth of amenities. With an exterior by Graziani + Corazza Architects Inc., landscaping by gh3, and interiors by U31, this residence oozes contemporary elegance. Among the amenities are a tranquil two-storey lobby, a fitness centre, party room, bar, dining room, and several indoor and outdoor lounges. Residents will also enjoy a luxurious outdoor saltwater pool on the fifth floor—the views will be breathtaking. Designed with today’s savvy purchasers in mind, suite layouts maximize space and are graced with ergonomically designed kitchens, spa-inspired baths, and a balcony for indulging in stunning vistas. Suites range from 524 to 1,544 square feet and will be priced from the high $200,000s. Prices include H.S.T., six appliances, one locker, and one parking spot for most suites. Purchase with confidence from renowned builders with impressive experience. Vita on the Lake will be Mattamy’s eighth waterfront condominium offering living at its finest. Find out more about Vita on the Lake at MattamyHomes.com abode Fall 2016

stacked townhomes A

win win win

Story by Rob Nicolucci

nce upon a time townhouses were considered starter homes for young families and singles, with a big house and a yard just a few years (read: kids) away. But with house prices continuously on the rise, the dream of a single-family home for this sector is becoming just thatâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a dream. First-time buyers looking to break into the housing market turned to highrise condos, which were more affordable, liveable units readily available. As highrise prices increased and unit sizes decreased firsttime buyers found themselves once again looking for an alternative. At the same time, the development landscape was changing. With provincial policies mandating increased densities and

abode Fall 2016

municipal policies making it more difficult to develop townhomes to meet those density requirements, the industry was challenged to find a solution. Along with their architects, developers started looking for a form that would bridge the highrise/low-rise gap, comply with development policies and be desirable to the market. Thus, the stacked townhouse was born, a building model that combines highrise amenities, such as underground parking, with low-rise style in three-and-a-half storey wood-framed buildings. The new perfect home for the first-time buyer.

So why does the stacked townhouse work for buyers? First of all new townhomes are family-size homes and range between 850 sq. ft. two bedroom plans to 1300 sq. ft. three bedroom plans with either one-and-a-half or two-and-a-half bathrooms. Affordability plays a big part in making these types of homes an attractive option. Typically, these stacked townhouses cost substantially less than a typical townhouse, and cost less per square foot than a highrise

unit. Then there is the added charm of having your own front door: gone are the elevators and common-area hallways of the highrise. And let's not forget that nothing beats the sound of your own doorbell. And with cars below grade, stacked townhouse developments are more liveable, walk-friendly neighbourhoods for the whole family.

Why do developers like the stacked townhouse? Compliance: they can develop property that complies with provincial and municipal policies. But timing is also a major factor. The wait time from the point of sale to completion is considerably reduced from that of a highrise. And approvals to build are much easier to get since townhouses blend in better with existing neighbourhoods. And finally, stacked townhouse projects on the market have generally been well received, which indicates that buyers see the value in this style of living. With the direction new development is going and the increasing challenge of new home prices, the stacked townhouse may have found its niche. And it's a win win win situation where the city, developer and ultimately the purchaser all get their individual needs filled.

abode Fall 2016

ired of seeing the same old, same old? Searching for a one-of-a-kind piece to perfectly finish a room? Torontoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s museums and galleries may have just what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for.

Museums are an unexpected source for decor, art and accessories story BY vicky sanderson

abode Fall 2016

Royal Ontario Museum 100 Queen's Park rom.on.ca There are lots of treasures at the gift boutique at the ROM. Even if shopping for decor is not on your to-do list, a visit to the ROM is always fun: running right now is a breathtaking exhibition of sculpture by American glass master Dale Chihuly.

Gardiner Museum 111 Queen’s Park gardinermuseum.on.ca The Gardiner Museum shop is an exhibition space in its own right. Look for edgy, interesting urban photography by Max Lamour, ethereal glass bowls by Shay Salehi and Eden Bender’s stunning sculpture.

Art Gallery of Ontario 317 Dundas Str. W. ago.net

Clockwise from opposite top: Aga Khan Museum, Gardiner Museum, Clouds by David Moss (courtesy AGO), bowl by Shay Salehi at the Gardiner Museum and the Aga Khan gift shop.

This shop poses dilemmas for design hounds. Do you covet a gorgeous handmade maple bowl from family-operated Stinson Studios? Or maybe Lesley Look Hong's ceramic juicer with a Jamaican hummingbird tops your shopping list. Wait, is it actually a print of Lawren Harris’ Above Lake Superior that you really, really want? While you’re deciding, check out the AGO’s rental service, which allows homeowners to live with a piece of art before they commit.

Textile Museum textilemuseum.ca 55 Centre Ave. One of Toronto’s best-kept secrets now has a new draw for design lovers. Its Greater Toronto program sells textiles designed by homegrown artists such as Jaime Angelopoulos, Ed Pien, Tazeen Qayyum and Gary Taxali, all of which can be purchased by the yard. Don’t forget to pencil in TCM Volunteer Association’s fundraising sales throughout the year: they offer a selection of high-end textiles at bargain prices. Proceeds support the museum and give you an extra reason to indulge.

Aga Khan Museum 77 Wynford Dr. agakhanmuseum.org The breathtaking Aga Khan Museum has a shop that’s the perfect place to find Silk Road-inspired gifts and decor. You’ll find handcrafted pieces from Turkey, Jordan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, as well as an exclusive collection of artful accessories inspired by the museum’s permanent collection. Shipping is available to most destinations within Canada, the U.S. and major international locations.

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story BY vicky sanderson PhotoGRAPHY by carole & roy timm

abode Fall 2016

European design AND classical art inspire designer’s sophisticated spaces

hat Gustav Klimt is Regina Sturrock’s favourite painter speaks volumes about her aesthetic sense. The Austrianborn, Burlington-based interior designer shares a love of classical curves, surfaces with subtle patina and richly decorative detail with the artist—also Austrian. Sturrock, who launched her career in 1996, cites designers Barbara Barry and Kelly Hoppen as contemporary influences. Both are known for being masters of classical proportions, quiet elegance and calm neutral palettes. “I’ve had interior design and design art in my bones forever,” says Sturrock. “And I love fashion, which has influenced how I approach details—the fold of a dress might make you think about how you lead into a room, or a beautifully detailed dinner ring about a fastening,” says Sturrock. Sturrock, who also paints and shares nature, fashion, design and architectural pics on social media, says inspiration is “omnipresent,” because beauty is everywhere. “I believe there’s real power in beauty—it can bring happiness and well-being,” she says. The design process with clients must, she insists, be collaborative, especially given that she typically works on multi-year, from-the-ground-up projects. “I can’t imagine designing without the client as my muse. We put a mirror in front of our clients and ask what makes them happy, sad, excited, comforted—how they define beauty and luxury?” Her favourite room to decorate is often the smallest. “The powder room is where we can afford maximum luxury. You’re in and out so fast so you really need to provide big stimulus. The most luxurious powder room we did had strips of Swarovski crystal inset into the floor. There wasn’t anything Liberace about it. It was really classic. But boy, did it have a wow factor.” Asked to name the biggest misconception about working with an interior designer, Sturrock says too many people equate it with giving in to someone else’s style. “It’s not about relinquishing control—either on my side or the client’s. It’s a journey we take together to create a beautiful space.”

¥ Regina Sturrock says inspiration is everywhere, but a client’s personal style and taste drive her design. Below: Rich accent tones, couture textiles and gallery art are signature elements of Sturrock's design. Bottom: A gold-netted chandelier with amber crystals shines on rippled mirrored cabinetry and warm white glass countertops.

Opposite: Circular patterns on ceiling, walls, in lighting and on the floor connect this elegant dining room design.

abode Fall 2016

New delivery models and design technology are changing how we make our beds story BY vicky sanderson

Bedface linens bring colour to the bedroom.

Dreaming in colour Vancouver-based online bedding brand Bedface wants to bring colour to the boudoir with duvets, duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases in 24 hues, all of which can be mixed and matched into some 28 million combinations. Not sure which to choose? Go to bedface.com and use the Bed Maker feature. All bedding is made from long-staple, 100 per cent cotton thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly breathable. The company declines to reveal thread count, correctly suggesting that thread counts, far from always being a reliable indicator of quality, have become a marketing ploy.

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Bed in a box For those who don’t relish lying down fully clothed in front of strangers, shopping for the “right” bed can be slightly disconcerting. In 2014, “serial entrepreneur” Philip Krim took a page from the world’s best hotels (which never ask guests what kind of bed they need) to disrupt the model. Krim launched Casper, an online company that offers “outrageously comfortable” one-size-fits-all mattresses that ship free via UPS or bike messenger (yes, bike messenger) in a box (yes, in a box, the mattress unfolds itself). Buyers have a 100- day, in -home trial period and the beds come with a 10 year warranty.

The one-size-fits-all Casper mattress could change the way consumers buy beds.

Fresh-cut design For a time, floral bed linens fell out of favour, viewed as fusty and oldfashioned—the kind of stuff Grandma liked. It’s a safe bet, though, that both you and Granny will fall for the flowerstrewn, colour-soaked bed linens Glasgow-based artist Fiona Douglas creates for Bluebellgray. Designs start off as original watercolours, which are then digitally printed on natural cottons and linens. The technique creates a hand-painted feel, and allows small details to be blown up to create abstract patterns that can be easily repeated. Bluebellgray's Abstract pattern will soon also be available in bone china.

abode Fall 2016

is defining the

future in dynamic Don Mills story BY Tracy Hanes

ne of the most exciting up-and-coming areas in Toronto is the Don Mills-Eglinton neighbourhood. With terrific shopping and restaurants nearby, as well as top schools and an abundance of parks and green space, the lifestyle it offers is hard to beat. What the neighbourhood didn’t have was new condominiums; that is, until the launch of Lindvest’s modern highrise, Sonic. It’s across Don Mills Road from the area’s most recognizable landmark, the Ontario Science Centre. The project’s name, Sonic, reflects the concept of the future, says Joseph Alberga, Lindvest’s sales and marketing director. And with all that’s going on in the area, the future is bright. The area is also home to the spectacular Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre. Nearby is a Real Canadian Superstore, the Shops of Don Mills, and E.T. Seton Park and the trails of Sunnybrook Park. And the proposed redevelopment of the Celestica lands, a 60-acre site at the northwest corner of Don Mills and Eglinton Avenue East into a mixed-use community with office, retail, residential and recreational uses will also bolster the neighbourhood’s vitality.

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Photos by Peter A. Sellar

One of the amenities that all of Toronto’s hottest emerging neighbourhoods share is connectivity to public transit. And Sonic will be at the centre of what Metrolinx has identified as a transportation mega-hub. The Eglinton Crosstown Station, to open at Don Mills, will be just a minute’s walk away, providing riders with a 19-kilometre east-west light rail line with 25 stops between Weston and Kennedy roads, with links to the subway. The Crosstown project is the largest transit expansion in the history of Toronto. Construction is underway and service is expected to begin in 2021. The Eglinton and Don Mills bus routes also serve the area, and for drivers, the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401 are minutes away. “The construction activity on the Crosstown station has ramped up in this neighbourhood and we’ve found that’s coincided with more activity at the Sonic sales office,” says Alberga. Sonic is appealing to a wide array of buyers. Some are renters who live in the neighbourhood and want to buy a home in the area, others are drawn by the connectivity to public transit and the proximity to major highways. Some are coming from nearby North York, Richmond Hill and Markham because of its central location. Unlike the downtown market trend, Alberga says his company is finding that many buyers are end users who plan to live there, rather than investors. Everyone from young singles to families to baby boomers have purchased units. And car owners appreciate that Sonic’s parking spaces are priced at a fraction of the cost of downtown projects. Award-winning Page + Steele/IBI Group Architects designed Sonic’s sleek 28-storey tower to sit atop a three-storey podium. It will be one of the tallest buildings in the area. That tower comprises the first phase. A second similar tower will come soon in Phase 2. Sonic will have more than 25,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor amenity space, including a large landscaped park designed by NAK Design Group that encompasses a figure eight-shaped walking path, children’s playground, intimate seating alcoves, a water feature and exercise equipment. More outdoor living space for socializing and relaxing will be provided on the fourth floor, with trees and plants, al fresco lounges, cabanas, barbecues, fire pits and outdoor dining areas. Indoor amenities reflect a mid-century modern decor and include fitness centre with gym and yoga room, screening room, dining and party rooms. Suites, designed by Union31, are modern in style and maximize living space. Linear kitchens feature two-tone wood and lacquer cabinetry, stainless steel and integrated appliances, and dropin cooktops. Baths are luxurious. Standard features include plank laminate flooring, floor-to-ceiling window systems, custom designed kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, quartz counter tops, individually controlled heating and air conditioning, and in-suite Energy Recovery Ventilators to provide excellent indoor air quality and comfort. Suite sizes range from 337 to 941 sq. ft. in studio, one-bedroom, one-bedroom-plus-den, two-bedroom and three-bedroom designs, plus upper and lower penthouse units. Prices start from the low $200,000s. Occupancy is slated for January 2019. Lindvest is a Toronto-based real estate organization with roots in the H&R group of companies that have a 60-year history in Ontario. For more information visit lindvest.com/sonic.

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Featuring quality Andersen® products “Andersen” and the AW logo are registered trademarks of Andersen Corporation.

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abode Fall 2016

Even if there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t time to upgrade your cooking skills in time for the holidays, nature-inspired serveware will get you excited to set the table.

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1. Wood Slice Charger, westelm.com, $24 2. Distinctly Home 16-Piece Nordic Dinnerware Set, thebay.com, $99.99 3. Leaf-Shaped Metal Trivet, hm.com/ca, $19.99 4. Hand-Stamped Bronze Serveware, westelm.com, $29-$99 5. Spiegelau Authentis Decanter 1L, thebay.com, $122.50 6. Thankful Stemless Wine Glass, crateandbarrel.com, $8.95 7. Leaf-topped Gilded Salad Servers hm.com/ca, $19.99 8. Wooden Dough Bowl, chaptersindigo.ca, $50 9. Emile Henry Pie Plate, thebay.com, $49.99 10. Thankful Oval Platter, crateandbarrel.com, $39.95 11. Aria Gold Napkin Ring, crateandbarrel.com, $4.95 ~Compiled by Tasha Zanin

abode Fall 2016

Imitation (leather) may be the sincerest form of flattery story BY vicky sanderson

The Real Deal The instantly recognizable Barcelona chair was conceived for the German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona. German-born modernist architect and designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is thought to have looked back to ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman times when designing his modern thrones in an homage to the King and Queen of Spain. The crisscrossed curule frames on campaign chairs from which he took inspiration signified that they were literally â&#x20AC;&#x153;seats of power.â&#x20AC;? The Barcelona chair was recognized with a Museum of Modern Art Award in 1977. To this day, Knoll Inc. still makes the iconic chair to the original specifications, which includes cushions formed from a single Spinneybeck or Edelman cowhide. In Canada, find the Barcelona chair at Design Within Reach for $7,270.

Photo by Joshua McHugh, courtesy of Knoll, Inc

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The KnockOff From a distance, this chair from Quebec-based furniture and lifestyle retailer Bouclair may look like van der Rohe’s famous design, but with faux leather and a $300 price tag, it’s clearly not. Note, too, the slight difference in the shape of the legs. One easy way to tell the real thing from imitation? Pick it up. Authentic Knoll chairs are made with solid metal. Tubular metal will be significantly lighter.

Peter Power/Star File Photo

the Toronto Connection The six-building cluster that constitutes the Toronto-Dominion Centre, noticeable for its sleek black surfaces and bronze-tinted glass, was designed by van der Rohe, and represents a handsome example of his bold, clean-lined International style. If you happen to be in Chicago, which is sometimes compared to Toronto, check out the Langham Hotel, located in the last office building designed by van der Rohe. It’s stunning. Pay special attention to the lobby entrance; it was designed by Chicago architect Dirk Lohan—van der Rohe’s grandson. abode Fall 2016

“I really felt like I wasn’t the only one to lose someone. I faced my fears and had so much fun. It was the best weekend I’ve ever had, and I really wish I could go back.” ~ camper, aged 10 story & photoGRAPHY BY Cece Scott

magine you are a teenager, an impressionable 15-year-old; you answer the front door to a policeman who tells you that your sister has been shot dead in the street. Imagine you are a shy, six-yearold and your mom just died from ALS. Imagine you are 10, young and eager; you wake up one morning and your whole world comes crashing down with the news that your dad committed suicide. Even for adults with lots of life experience, tragedies like these are often unimaginable, not to mention extremely difficult to work through. But for a young child or a young adult the loss of a mother, father or sibling, especially under violent circumstances, irrevocably alters their life. Young emotions, untested by this kind of hardship, suddenly grapple with an abundance of fears: the fear of losing the other parent; the fear of losing another sibling; the fear of “catching” the disease that took mom or dad; the fear that they, too, might be shot; the fear of the unknown. Enter Camp Erin, a weekend-long bereavement camp for children and teens from the Greater Toronto Area. The camp was named after Erin Metcalf whose life was taken by liver cancer at the age of 17. Tens of thousands of kids (across several locations throughout North America) impacted by the loss of a family member have visited Camp Erin. The weekend experience focuses on providing campers with the tools they need to deal with grief and other difficult life experiences. It provides a safe and welcoming environment for kids and teens (ages six to 17) to meet, connect, identify and interact with other kids who are experiencing the same thing. The bubble of isolation is broken as campers experience firsthand others who are feeling the same emotions, tackling the same fears and suffering the same anxieties. And while this all sounds very melancholy, the weekend camps are rife with cool activities, carnival fun and new adventures. Prior to their camp weekend, campers attend a Meet-the-Camper event where they are introduced to and play team-building games with counsellors, doctors, volunteers and leaders-in-training (L.I.T.’s). When camp day arrives, more than 100 kids and 80-plus facilitators spill out from the two-hour bus ride with infectious high spirits and electrified energy. Staff members pick up the tagged bags as the rest head to Opening Circle. Petra Kovacs, Camp Erin Toronto’s program director, starts with an ice-breaker exercise that gets everyone running into the centre of the circle or to this side or that based on a series

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of questions directly related to personal circumstances: run into the circle if you were nervous coming to camp; run over here if your mom died of cancer; run to the right if you have pink socks on, run into the centre and touch someone’s forehead with yours. With giggles galore new friendships are formed, little people to little people, providing a sense of ease before teams break into assigned cabins. For three days, the campers go through a wide range of activities meant to enthrall, challenge, ignite friendships, spark laughter and build confidence and self-esteem. Activities include archery, baseball, canoeing, swimming, rock climbing, high ropes and musical instruments, culminating with a Saturday night talent show. These light-hearted activities may seem to be all about fun and games, but they are the core rituals at the heart of Camp Erin’s true mission, namely, to provide a safe forum for kids and teenagers to express and vocalize their grief, their worries, their fears and their hopes. And within this, provide the coping mechanisms that will help

Above: One of the many light-hearted activities campers look forward to is a high ropes challenge. Opposite bottom: To help with the grieving process campers create a memory board of their loved one.

I am your friend, so We never have to say goodbye We are all living Under the same Camp Erin sky ~ Refrain from Camp Erin Sky song

these young people move towards a place of peace, acceptance and self-esteem. To that end, there are a number of key grief rituals that all Camp Erin sites include as part of its therapeutic programming. These include creating a camp memory board compiled of pictures of the person who died in the young person’s life and sharing that with the group at large; choosing and engaging in a grief activity such as sponge bombs, griefitti, spa, dreamcatchers, journal making and sand art; participating in the illumination ritual that involves writing a message to the person who died, wrapping it around a candle lantern and setting it afloat; posing questions anonymously to the three attending doctors during the Ask the Doctor rotation; and most importantly, discussing with their peers how their loved one died . “What did your mom (or relative) die of?” is a common question. “But what kind of cancer?” or, “How did it happen?” are both comfortable and acceptable questions between new friends. Teenagers 14 to 17 years old tearfully hug and comfort each other as their candle lanterns, illuminated with loving scripted messages, glow softly in the dark night waters. A key component that makes Camp Erin a unique therapeutic opportunity for bereaved children and youth is the diversity of both the campers and volunteers, all of whom have suffered through the loss of a loved one. In fact, many of the L.I.T.’s are former Camp Erin campers themselves. Camp Erin Toronto is operated and organized by the Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Centre. Along with Camp Erin, The Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Centre also provides one-to-one counselling services, a peer-topeer mentoring program, family events, and research and education around death, dying, grief and bereavement. The camp and the Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Centre is supported by volunteers, and runs thanks to the generosity of corporations, foundations and individuals —with no government funding. For more on Camp Erin, go to drjaychildrensgriefcentre.ca/camp-erin

abode Fall 2016

story BY owen reeves I hate to burst your bubble, especially while we have been enjoying such a warm fall, but it’s time to start getting your garden ready for winter. That doesn’t mean that you need to give up on gardening. In fact, there are still many things that you can do to enjoy your outdoor spaces, and to get them ready for next spring. The nice sunny days of fall are also cooler, so you can spend more time out in the garden and enjoy it for a little longer before it’s time to hang the pruners up for the season. Here are a few things to think about for fall gardening.

Take stock of hits and misses You may recall that summer 2016 was a hot one in the GTA. As a result, you probably saw things bloom earlier than you thought they might, and possibly last for a shorter period than in past. My neighbours were complaining that their daisies were about eight inches shorter than in the past, and lasted about a week less. Although it was an atypical summer, you can still assess what worked and didn’t work in your outdoor spaces. Then try and figure out why things were good or not so good.

Sun & Shade If some of your plants thrived in their space this summer, you’ll know what you can plant there (permanently) next year. On the other hand, if some of your plants got sunburned (yes that’s a thing), you’ll need to find a shady space for them next year; and similarly if they were too shaded, they will need more sun next year. In my new (well, new to me anyway) house this year, I was growing lots of fruits and vegetables, but there are several large trees that shade my backyard. I used VegTrugs on wheels so that I could move them along into the sunnier spots of my space as the summer went along. I also experimented with different varieties of seeds over the summer to see which ones grew best in the conditions I have. Knowing which areas of your outdoor space get sun or shade throughout the summer will help you with your garden plan and allow you to plant for permanent beds more successfully. If you’re balcony gardening, the nice thing for you is that it’s generally fairly simple to move planters around in the summer to take advantage of lighting conditions, but if you have a more permanent seating area, you’ll now know how to best maximize it for next year.

WATER & SOIL Again, we had a very dry summer so this is going to be tricky to assess, but it’s important to consider the soil and watering conditions. If your plants needed more water than you could provide with your schedule or watering restrictions (either self imposed or municipally imposed), perhaps more drought-tolerant plants would be in order. At the same time, a common mistake is that people overwater plants in hot/dry conditions. Plants do get tired in the midday sun so look at them early in the morning, or closer to sundown to see if they perk up. With all the heat and sun this summer, you may have inadvertently overwatered when you thought you were helping

abode Fall 2016

your plants. You also want to look critically at your soil conditions. Some plants, such as ferns, hydrangeas and blueberries like really rich organic soil. Other plants, like lavender, sage and yews prefer sandier soil that drains well. It’s important to figure out what soil conditions your plants favour so that you can amend the soil appropriately. That may mean adding compost or organic matter, like the PREMIER® BIOMAX® range of products to your garden beds, so next spring your soil can start with the appropriate pH balance.

General hits & misses Think about what you liked and didn’t like about your outdoor space this summer. If you’re in a balcony, was it too windy to be able to keep up with the watering? If so, perhaps you need a screen to take away some of the breeze; or you’ll know that as amazing as it might be, you’re just not going to have the success you hoped for with tomatoes on the 27th floor. In that case, maybe put your name on the list for a community garden plot next summer. Regardless of your space, did you like what bloomed? Were the colours interesting? Did you enjoy the space? Were you stressed by the maintenance or did you find yourself enjoying more time in the garden than you thought and think you want to add more? If you loved the annuals you planted, take note and pick them up again next year. If you didn’t like them, think about why and make a note so that next year you can find something different. After considering the above, if you don’t know why something in your garden didn’t go well, take a trip to your local garden centre and ask their experts for help. Bring photos of your space (if you have them), and tell them what was going on. They’ll be able to help you figure out what was happening. If you’re working from a blank slate, this may be the time to get a design that can get you started for next year. Knowing what worked and didn’t work in your space can help you and a designer come up with a plan that can start to be implemented for success in years to come.

Photo by Owen Reeves These VegTrugsTM on wheels were perfect for me to experiment with growing edibles in my backyard as I was able to move them around as the sun moved in my space.

Get ready for next year The fall is a great time to get started on the next growing season. If you’re going the design route, start now to spread out the cost and timing of the project. If you’re going to do it yourself, there are projects to tackle in the fall.

Winterize your plants

Plant, prune and transplant for next spring

For those of you on the balcony, you may want to take your plants indoors on those cool fall nights. Smaller pots make plants more susceptible to the cold. You can also figure out what plants you are going to keep in your indoor space over the winter. I actually had an orange tree on my condo balcony that I would take indoors for the winter. The trick was finding a space with lots of light, but being careful not to have the tree against a window where there was a draft. For those of you with outdoor gardens, some things, like rose bushes and young trees, will need to be protected for the winter. In the fall take the time to mulch around the base of them. Some trees may even need a tree-guard to protect them from the cold and from animals over the winter.

If you know that you need to add colour, move plants around or add “more” to your space, now is the time to get ready. The fall is great for planting (and transplanting). Once you have a plan and know where plants need to go, you can plant or transplant accordingly. Certain trees and bushes should be pruned once they have finished blooming to keep them in shape and help them to bloom successfully next year. In condos you’ll need to empty the pots at least half way and start with fresh soil next year. If you can do that in the fall it will be less heavy than trying to do it over the winter when the soil is frozen. You can still do some greens and decorating for winter in your planters, but they don’t need as much soil. abode Fall 2016

story BY Tracy Hanes

he lure of the slopes may have put Collingwood on the map as a ski destination, but the many charms of this town on the shores of Georgian Bay have boosted its popularity during all four seasons. With a vast array of outdoor pursuits (biking, hiking, boating, horseback riding and skiing, of course), its growing reputation as a culinary and micro-brewery destination, a lively cultural scene and a flourishing downtown, the town is winning favour with buyers looking for a weekend getaway or a place to settle permanently. It has everything one needs—theatres, boutique shopping, farmers’ markets, spas, big box stores, coffee shops and medical facilities all set against the spectacular backdrop of the Blue Mountains. It’s just 90 minutes from the Greater Toronto Area, so getting away from it all isn’t that far away at all. And there is a mélange of new home choices available, suited to various demographics and budgets. In November, Eden Oak will launch the first phase of Indigo Estates, a collection of townhouses and singles in downtown Collingwood. Eden Oak president Romas Kartavicius, who has had a vacation home in the area for years, says the development will mainly appeal to those who intend to live year-round in the community. The range of products means Indigo

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MacPherson Builders' new model home, the Adelaide, is part of the Mountain Modern collection at Windrose Estates in Collingwood. The exterior of the 2,600 sq. ft. bungalow is contemporary in style and features two master suites with walk-in closets and lavish bathrooms, a great room with a 17foot raised ceiling and an indooroutdoor two-sided fireplace.

Estates will appeal to first-timers, move-up buyers and downsizers alike. “There are five schools within walking distance, including a high school,” says Kartavicius. “It’s sandwiched between an existing residential neighbourhood and a brand new subdivision and is one of the premier locations in the town of Collingwood.” Eden Oak built Lakeside Pointe in Collingwood, where homes have appreciated handsomely in value over the past half dozen years. About 75 per cent of the homeowners are full-time residents, with the remainder of the owners being weekenders. While plans for Indigo Estates homes are still being finalized, the lakeshore and mountaininspired houses by RN Design will have a high standard of energy efficiency, nine-foot ceilings and offer buyers two different finishing packages. The first phase will include 120 homes, with two additional phases planned for a total of 376 lots when completed. Townhouses will range from 1,200 to 1,775 sq. ft., and singles on 36, 46 and 56-foot lots, including bungalows will range from 1,400 to 3,100 sq. ft. “We enjoy Collingwood as a family and we’re noticing that people from the GTA are coming up here to live because they get a lot more value in terms of land and house,” says Kartavicius. “Others have sold their homes in the GTA and done well, so are spending six months here and six months in the south.” Catering to the skier and affluent retiree market, MacPherson Builders has launched a series of upscale homes on one to two-acre lots at Windrose Estates, minutes from downtown Collingwood near the entrance to the Osler Bluff Ski Club. MacPherson Builders' sales rep Jennifer Wootton says several buyers have purchased the abode Fall 2016

homes as transitional residences that they can use as a vacation abode now, then make their permanent home in the future. The new Mountain Modern Home collection offers contemporary architecture in addition to the classic chalet styles of MacPherson’s Signature Collection. The modern model home, the Adelaide, is one of the smaller designs at 2,500 sq. ft. The bungalow includes two master suites with walk-in closets and lavish bathrooms, a great room with a 17-foot raised ceiling and an indoor-outdoor two-sided fireplace and a satellite office. The Mountain Modern Homes will be characterized by flatter rooflines, glass railings and expansive windows. “Apart from the flat ceilings and larger windows, the Adelaide model is distinguished by a colour palette that uses more blacks and greys,” says Michelle Pasquale, a MacPherson interior designer. “It has a more sophisticated and formal look than traditional chalet designs. This includes the post and beams, which we still offer as an interior feature, but the beams are on flat versus cathedral ceilings, and instead of the rustic pine wood

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tones, the beams are painted grey and our windows feature black vinyl frames.” As an alternative to a traditional threebedroom layout with one master, MacPherson is offering floor plans with two master bedrooms. The idea is guests will experience the same level of luxury as the homeowners. Potential purchasers can also tour the Signature rustic-chic Britannia model home, a 4,200-sq. ft. two-storey plan with post and beam details, a two-storey stone fireplace in the great room, generous dining room surrounded by windows and a main-floor wine room. There are 32 of 43 lots available at Windrose Estates, with plans from 2,492 to 4,255 sq. ft. The homes will have three to five bedrooms, open-concept designs, vaulted ceilings, triple car garages and a $70,000 landscaping package. Prices range from $1,349,900 to $1,654,900, including a $25,000 upgrade credit and $25,000 appliance package. As a lively four-season playground, Collingwood could be the perfect alternative to cottage country.

to these tips for saving and ) this winter ENERGY ($$$ story BY vicky sanderson

“S

he works hard for the money.” That famous lyric never resonates more than when it's time to pay that dreaded, ever-increasing hydro bill. It’s a hefty but, alas, necessary expense without which there'd be no nights on the couch watching your favourite Netflix program. Thankfully, there is some good news on the horizon as we can now look forward to an eight per cent rebate on hydro bills (equivalent to the provincial portion of the 13 per cent HST), as recently announced by Premier Kathleen Wynne. Sadly, the savings don’t come into effect until January 2017. Until then, though, here are some useful tips, courtesy of Toronto Hydro and Hydro One to help keep costs down and save some money. A programmable thermostat that lowers the temperature when you’re at work or sleeping makes sense when you consider that for every degree the thermostat is lowered, you’ll save up to three per cent on heating costs. And when you do feel chilly? Try putting on a sweater before cranking it up.

During the day, keep curtains open to take advantage of solar heat.

Up to 25 per cent of heat loss is through windows. Covering them with plastic wrap can help reduce that loss. Further reduce air leakage, which can also account for as much as 25 per cent of heating costs, by caulking and weather-stripping windows, doors, dryer vents and installing insulated plates on electrical outlets.

Using cold water for laundry can significantly reduce energy costs. Even rinsing in cold water can save enough energy for about 100 hot baths per year (based on three loads per week).

Whatever the season, use major appliances during off-peak hours, which are 7pm to 7am weekdays, all day weekends and statutory holidays.

u Try using an energy-saving slow-cooker or electric skillet instead

of the oven as often as possible. Both are perfect for cooking comfort foods. If you have a fireplace that you never use, consider getting it sealed since warm air escapes if the damper is open. If you do enjoy sitting by the fire, make sure you turn down your main thermostat.

Clean the furnace filter regularly to extend its lifespan and reduce energy consumption. Set the fan switch on “auto” instead of “on”.

Need more help? Wondering if it’s time to replace your furnace or how to spend less on electricity and other forms of energy? Check out these helpful video guides from Hydro One by visiting hydroone.com/MyHome/ SaveEnergy. abode Fall 2016

Just like the characters she plays, Italia Ricci does it like she means it story BY CECE SCOTT “Any day acting beside Kiefer [Sutherland] is not a bad day,” says Italia Ricci with a hint of awe in her voice. “It is definitely surreal; sometimes I step outside of myself and wonder, how did I get here?” Ricci’s given name is Stephanie Italia, and she is still called Steph by her family and the girlfriends she grew up with. “Apparently I am a split personality,” says Ricci. “I introduce myself to people as Italia, but then sometimes when I’m talking to myself and say, ‘nice one Steph!’ people will say, ‘who?’ ” However, when fiancé Robbie Amell (The Tomorrow People, X-Files and The Flash) tried calling her Steph, Ricci told him, “No, that is not going to be a thing.” By all accounts, Ricci was destined to be an actor from a very young age. “As a kid, I wanted to be everything,” says Ricci, “from a magician to a dolphin trainer to Doctors Without Borders. I didn’t want to limit myself to just one thing. Acting seemed a way for me to do just that, to walk in as many shoes as I possibly could.” When she was nine, Ricci started acting at Newmarket’s Town Hall on Main Street, where she was in five or six productions. Her first role was that of the town crier. “I worked so hard on that,” Ricci says with a laugh. continued on page 43

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Photo by Dani Brubaker

"The hardest part was coming home and not having cancer, knowing that I could take the bald cap off for the weekend; I could be free and not worry. So many people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get to do that." ~ Italia Ricci on playing the role of April Carver in Chasing Life

Photo by Brent Weber

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Italia Ricci and Kiefer Sutherland in Designated Survivor.

Born in Richmond Hill, Ricci and her family moved to Newmarket when she was eight in order to be closer to her grandparents’ farm in Stouffville, a place where Ricci spent the majority of her childhood. “We had some very Italian moments, a lot of non-stop family affairs, which is always a good time when you are a kid,” she says. “I grew up mostly around boys, my two brothers and cousins, who lived a couple of doors down from me. I love going back to Richmond Hill; it makes me nostalgic and very very happy.” While attending Queens University for drama, Ricci was an active volunteer. She organized events and fundraisers for Water Can, an organization that provides fresh water for remote villages in Africa, with the intent of teaching villagers how to maintain and sustain water-purifying systems. This kind of spirited philanthropy became a defining thread for Ricci who is an ambassador for Stand Up to Cancer as well as a strong supporter of good hYOUman, (exclusive clothing pieces benefitting Stand Up to Cancer), Stupid Cancer, L.A.’s Children’s

Hospital and the American Cancer Society. Some of Ricci’s involvement with cancer organizations comes as a result of playing the role of April Carver in Chasing Life. Carver is a young, twentysomething aspiring journalist on the rise at a Boston newspaper, that is, until she finds out she has cancer. Even with the diagnosis, Carver soldiers on, refusing to give up her hopes and dreams. “When I was telling her story it was like me in another universe,” says Ricci. “My life could have been like this. My heart broke for April in a lot of the episodes. The hardest part was coming home and not having cancer, knowing that I could take the bald cap off for the weekend; I could be free and not worry. So many people don’t get to do that.” Ricci says she has an affinity for her Carver character who is goal oriented and stubborn, with a must-achieve attitude. However, for Ricci, living life to the fullest is not necessarily about doing outsized things on a daily basis, but rather about doing things with purpose and sincerity. “Don’t just do something

because you are supposed to do it; do it like you mean it.” As Emily Rhodes, Chief of Staff for Secretary Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland), on Designated Survivor, part of ABC and CTV's new fall line-up, Ricci feels her character is the polar opposite of April Carver: hungry, fiery and a go-getter. Rhodes knows she is not quite qualified for her position so she compensates by working her butt off in what is a maledominated world. “I really enjoy what I'm doing with Emily,” says Ricci. “She's very close to who I would have been if I’d chosen that route. It’s a situation of me pretending to be me in another world, only a little tougher.” Playing the villainous Silver Banshee in the Supergirl series was a much harder role for Ricci to embrace. She had to pretend she was a super woman and pretend to fly. “I didn’t know if I could imagine that. Once I reverted to child play it became awesome. I realized I had to throw all of my inhibitions out the window. I pretended that abode Fall 2016

Italia's

hidden talents 1 2 3 4 5 6

Was a competitive rock climber in high school, and at one time was the second highest ranking woman in all of Ontario Does really good cringe-worthy karaoke

Plays chess and takes a board onset to play with her fellow actors

Excellent at Scrabble, to the point that no one will play with her

Was a synchronized swimmer

Can eat a large pizza all by herself

Italia as Silver Banshee on Supergirl.

I was five years old and with my friends, and then, it became a blast and I didn’t want it to stop.” Ricci gives a lot of credit to the hair, makeup and wardrobe team, who fit her with cheek prosthetics, wigs, special contact lenses and a huge vat of black and white makeup to help her morph into the “badass, screaming psycho” Ricci needed to portray. Off screen, Ricci says she is goofy and a total dork, and takes great pride in boosting the morale of her fellow actors. And, while she claims she isn’t funny, Ricci’s offthe-cuff one-liners and comedic delivery belie her modest claims. Ricci’s biggest and most important role to date came last month when she and Amell, (a fellow Torontonian and big Maple Leafs fan) tied the knot in a big Italian wedding in L.A. But Ricci doesn't plan to be gone for long. Her path to success includes continuing to shoot Designated Survivor in Toronto until next spring. “I feel like Toronto is a community, that we are much more ‘in it’ together,” she says. “I'm constantly surprised and pleased with the people in Toronto. I also really miss Pizza Pizza when I’m gone; I will

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eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm actually having a ton of Pizza Pizza at my bridal shower—with a bucket of creamy garlic sauce.” Favourite ways Ricci likes to unwind include curling up in the family room of her condo (best friend and realtor Jenna De Lisa found it for her) with a view of the CN Tower with a glass of wine and a crossword. That doesn’t mean that she and Amell don’t take in the sights of Toronto. The couple recently visited the Ripley's Aquarium (“It was fantastic”) and plan to go to the Toronto Zoo and African Lion Safari. Ricci says the ROM is also fun; she got trapped there for a night during a storm in 2009 when she was on a shoot. “It was like a show within a show; really cool." With a natural ability to embrace a wide range of characters, Ricci is in no danger of being typecast. “I hope to play as many roles as I can, ones that terrify me, educate me, push me to places I didn’t know existed in myself. If it is a good story and worth telling, genre isn’t going to affect my decision.”

ABODE WAS THERE Up up and away President Fred Losani gets ready to board a helicopter with invited journalists for an aerial tour of his latest project, Central Park in Hamilton. This may in fact be the first time a GTA developer ever showed a proposed project site from the air. Inspired by New York City's iconic Central Park, Losani Homes' Central Park is said to be the largest and most innovative master-planned community in Hamilton. The 15 acres of naturalized greenspace, with a park at its centre, naturally, will include a five-acre community pond and an Ecotrail Promenade with walking, biking paths and access to the 10km East Mountain Trail Loop. The first of four neighbourhoods is Park Ave nestled next to the protected 200-acre Eramosa Karst Conservation Area with freehold townhomes from the low $300,000s plus detached homes from the high $400,000s. For more on this project, visit losanihomes.com.

(Left to Right) Todd Cowan, managing partner, Capital Developments; Peter Freed, president, Freed Developments and Jordan Dermer, managing partner, Capital Developments. Photo by Spencer Wynn

breaking news.... Recognized as last year's fastest selling project and BILD’s 2016 Project of the Year, the Art Shoppe condos and lofts broke ground in September. Slated for occupancy in 2019, the Art Shoppe, an obvious homage to the famous furniture store that occupied that block for more than half a century, is one of the area's most fashionable condo and loft projects, with international style icon Karl Lagerfeld on board to design the residential lobbies. The builders behind this design-driven project, which spans an entire city block at Yonge and Eglinton, are Freed Developments and Capital Developments. The condo has a 28-storey residential north tower that steps down to 12 storey mid-rise building of lofts to the south. “We bought this site about four years ago, and after all of the hype and excitement surrounding the launch, it’s almost surreal to see Art Shoppe really taking shape,” says Peter Freed, president of Freed Developments. “To be able to bring a building with such a distinctive approach, a world-famous designer, and an amazing range of offerings to Toronto’s most famous street is a fantastic opportunity, and very exciting for us.” The project’s pièce de résistance will be its spectacular rooftop garden, boasting a linear outdoor swimming pool and stunning views of the city skyline beyond. Only a few suites remain as 95 per cent of the project is sold. For more information about the Art Shoppe Lofts + Condos, visit artshoppecondos.com.

Top: Fred Losani hosts a helicopter tour of the Central Park property. Bottom: An aerial view of Losani Homes' Central Park community in Hamilton, Ontario. Photos by Duncan McAllister abode Fall 2016

Spotlight // Mortgage Pros

a Mortgage Broker is Your Best Option Navigating the mortgage process with the help of an expert will set your mind at ease when making one of the largest financial decisions of your life. Mortgage brokers negotiate with lenders on your behalf, so they know the ins and outs of what’s really important when arranging the best mortgage product and rate based on your unique immediate and longer-term needs. Brokers have access to multiple lenders’ products – including offerings available through banks, credit unions and trust companies, as well as alternate and private lenders. This means more choice for you – and better access to a product and rate that will meet your specific mortgage requirements. By discussing your longer-term needs and goals at the onset of your home and mortgage shopping experience, your mortgage broker will also help ensure you look for properties within your means – avoiding the potential issue of falling in love with a home you simply can’t afford. Your mortgage broker will also ensure you’re preapproved for a mortgage and, should rates increase during your preapproval period, you can also be rest assured you will be offered the lowest rate. If you don’t understand something your mortgage broker has told you, it’s important to ask for clarification. It’s their job to ensure you understand. To find a mortgage broker near you, visit www.MortgageProsCan.ca/findabroker. www.MortgageProsCan.ca

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LCBO lands redevelopment transforms a post-industrial property into a live, work and play destination story BY Ryan Starr PhotoGRAPHY by spencer wynn

As the Toronto waterfront ambles through an extensive, decades-long revitalization, the fate of the LCBO lands—a vast swath of prime but underused lakefront property on Queens Quay East—has been the subject of much intrigue and wonder. Clarity came earlier this year when it was announced that Menkes Developments acquired the property. The province put the 11.5-acre site up for sale by in 2014, and Menkes won it following a competitive bid process. (The sale netted Ontario $260 million, earmarked for infrastructure investments.) In partnership with Greystone Managed Investments and Triovest Realty Advisors, Menkes’ plan is to unlock the value of the LCBO lands by transforming this post-industrial property into a multi-dimensional 24-hour work, live and play destination. “It’s amazing to have the opportunity to redevelop a site this large right downtown,” says Peter Menkes, president of his family-run firm’s commercial division. “It fills in the centre of all the growth that’s been happening down there.” The LCBO lands are at the moment occupied by a retail store, office building and a large warehouse. The new community—so new it’s yet to be named—will include several residential towers in future phases and 300,000 sq. ft. of commercial retail at the base of those buildings. continued on page 49

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“It’s amazing to have the opportunity to redevelop a site this large right downtown. It fills in the centre of all the growth that’s been happening down there.” ~ Peter Menkes

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Plans will be carried out in accordance with the City of Toronto’s Lower Yonge precinct plan, which also includes Pinnacle International’s redevelopment of the neighbouring Toronto Star site at 1 Yonge. (This mega-project could include seven towers, four of them residential, one as tall as 88 storeys.) First up on the LCBO lands development slate is a 24-storey, 600,000 sq. ft. office tower (rendering on page 47) to be located on the site’s southeast corner at 100 Queens Quay East. The LEED Platinum building, designed by B+H Architects (33 per cent pre-leased), will have LCBO as its anchor office and retail tenant, with a 25,000 sq. ft. flagship store on the ground floor. Construction of the office tower is slated to begin in fall 2017, with completion expected by 2021. The new community will have a two-acre park on the north side of Queens Quay, between Freeland and Cooper streets. The park is envisioned as an active-use green space that will serve both the new neighbourhood and the broader city centre population. “We see it being a central focal point and a meeting place for the whole precinct,” says Menkes, noting the park’s features will be determined via a design competition. The northern edge of the park will be lined with retail, positioned along a future extension of Harbour Street, which currently terminates at Yonge. The extended Harbour will run through Pinnacle’s 1 Yonge site and the LCBO lands, and end at Jarvis Street. “The plan is to bisect those sites,” says Menkes. “So the new community we’re creating will end up being four city blocks.” An expanded Queens Quay LRT will serve the LCBO lands development, and it’s a short stroll from Sugar Beach and Sherbourne Common, parks that were built in earlier phases of Waterfront Toronto’s revitalization. “We’re right in the thick of the action,” says Menkes. The neighbourhood will ultimately be connected to the PATH system, which is being extended south to the 1 Yonge site. For Menkes, the LCBO lands redevelopment represents the eastward expansion of South Core, the thriving district the company helped to pioneer a decade ago with the office tower 25 York Street (aka Telus House). Another office building, One York Street, at the foot of York and Harbour streets, quickly followed. East of that, down the road from the LCBO site, Menkes is developing the Waterfront Innovation Centre, a funky-looking facility overlooking Sugar Beach that’ll draw creative and tech companies to the lakeshore. A little farther down Queens Quay, several high-profile mixed-use communities are under construction: Daniels Waterfront-City of the Arts, Great Gulf’s Monde, and Tridel and Hines’ Bayside Toronto. “So we're creating a full connection to Downtown East and East Bayfront with the LCBO lands redevelopment,” says Menkes. “This project is the missing piece that will bring it all together."

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Our neighbourhoods are intensifying as the GTA grows up—not out Story by Bryan Tuckey

TAS rendering of Duke Condos

cross the GTA our neighbourhoods are intensifying and it’s affecting all of us. Our communities are growing up and not out as development follows the province’s growth planning policies. However, many residents in existing communities like their neighbourhoods just the way they are. This resistance to change means more and more development projects are facing opposition. NIMBYism (or a not-in-my-backyard sentiment) is not new, but it’s stronger now because of the intensification taking place in Toronto and the rest of the GTA. NIMBYism is a challenge not just for developers but for all of us and especially new home buyers. The growing chants of NIMBY are adding to the GTA’s housing supply shortage. They cause delays and increase costs, which are ultimately passed on to people buying new homes. Developers don’t just build what they want. Government policies and plans at all levels dictate how land can be used and where and how development happens. Ten years ago, Ontario’s provincial government created the Greenbelt and introduced the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe to change how development occurs in the GTA. It mandated intensification and required four out of 10 new housing units to be built within existing communities. Those new units are necessary to house our growing population. Each year the region’s population increases by about 100,000 people due to immigration and growing families. In accordance with policy, our industry has been building to a more intensive pattern of development. Today we are building at least as many highrise multi-family homes as groundrelated single-family homes. Unfortunately there is little public understanding of and even less support for intensification. When intensification policies were introduced the industry encouraged the government to educate the public on how and why their neighbourhoods would change, but we have yet to see anything. Everything from proposed highrise condo projects near subway stations to townhouse projects in Scarborough and mid-town Toronto,

to plans for semi-detached houses in Burlington is met with, “Not in my backyard.” The home building and land development industry is increasing its efforts to work with community stakeholders. Community engagement has been in practice for years, but today developers are engaging residents earlier and working alongside community stakeholders to create projects that benefit everyone. It is critical that our industry communicates and shares information early in the development process to help residents properly respond to proposed changes. We also need to help community stakeholders understand the goals and benefits of intensification and specific projects. We all want our communities to thrive, and new development and neighbourhood renewal helps that happen. New development brings more homes and more housing choices and it can bring new life to established neighbourhoods. More people in neighbourhoods mean they can support more amenities such as shops and restaurants. All this leads to property value increases and means local governments collect more property tax which they can invest in things like parks and transit. The GTA is a growing region that attracts people and businesses. To help keep it growing we need housing and we need to keep working together to create thriving complete communities. We need to find ways to turn NIMBY to YIMBY: Yes In My Backyard. To help improve public awareness of these issues, BILD has created a couple of animated videos on turning NIMBY to YIMBY. They explain in a simple and fun way why are our neighbourhoods are changing and how development can benefit everyone. Check them out on youtube.com/bildgta. Bryan Tuckey is President and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and is a land-use planner who has worked for municipal, regional and provincial governments. He can be found on Twitter (twitter. com/bildgta), Facebook (facebook.com/bildgta) and BILD’s official online blog (bildblogs.ca).

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Story by Croydon Richmond

hen it comes to purchasing real estate, the best values are always near transit and in emerging neighbourhoods. By location alone, Canvas Condominium by Marlin Spring Developments qualifies as one of the best buys in the GTA. But location, location, location isn't all that Canvas has going for it. Abundant and stylish suite options, starting as low as the mid-$200s, makes Danforth Village an area to seriously consider when purchasing a new home.

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With a walk score of 97, Danforth Village has earned “Walkers’ Paradise” status. And this hub is great for cyclists, too. Love downtown, but not so much being tied up in traffic? The subway, bus, streetcar or GO train are minutes away, but its not only local transportation that makes this area so appealing. Its multicultural diversity is a snapshot of what makes this city so great. Young families, urban professionals and millennials are quickly discovering that they can shop and dine their way around the globe without ever having to leave the neighbourhood. With the wellness-focused wave showing no signs of slowing, the area also offers plenty of fresh food markets, offering an abundance of vegan, organic and gluten-free foods that cater to all demographics. The area is only a short bike ride along the Danforth to get to Healthy Planet and The Big Carrot, one of Toronto's oldest health food stores. Green space is also an important factor when choosing your next neighbourhood to settle down in, and the Don Valley Greenbelt Parklands starts just north of Danforth Village. Winding through lush parks and conservation lands, a network of trails for hiking, biking or just strolling in nature extends all the way down to the lake. “The potential of Danforth Village has not gone unnoticed by city planners, with major

infrastructure, and new commercial and residential development taking place in the area,” says Marlin Spring’s COO Zev Mandelbaum. And one of those developments is Canvas Condos, designed by Graziani and Corazza Architects. The striking contemporary mid-rise complements the existing streetscape with articulated brick surfaces that play off the glass of the eight-storey condo. Interiors by U31 are highlighted with the finest finishes throughout each suite, quartz countertops in kitchens, stainless steel kitchen appliances and wide-plank designer laminate floors. Floor plans are aplenty, with one-bedroom, onebedroom plus den, two-bedroom and two-bedroomplus-den suites, ranging in sizes up to 961 sq. ft. Numerous amenities include a fitness centre and yoga studio, plus a rooftop terrace with a skyline view, a fireplace lounge and a bocce court. “Surrounded by Greektown, Upper Beaches, The Beach and Leslieville, areas that have seen home rates escalate dramatically, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of Danforth Village’s ongoing evolution and the incredible rise in real estate value this area has been experiencing,” says Mandelbaum. For more info on this condo, visit canvascondos.ca

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Spotlight // INDIGO ESTATES

Indigo Estates Here it is. Indigo Estates in Collingwood. A collection of ultra-exclusive detached singles and townhomes. This is Eden Oak’s new community with Blue Mountain on one side and Georgian Bay on the other. And it just happens to be in one of Ontario’s most vibrant and active towns. This is that place that will fuel your love for skiing, sailing and fishing. Great outdoors, check. Great schools, check. Entrepreneurial opportunity? Absolutely. Get ready for shopping in the Village, Sunday brunches at your local bistro, Scandinave, street estivals, and more. Gear up for a four-seasons lifestyle unlike any other. It’s that timeless quality of life that will make your Indigo Estate feel like home.

discoverindigo.ca

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NEW HOME TRENDS

PRICES AND AVAILABLE UNITS AS OF august 2016

The challenges in the GTA housing market continue as builder inventory shrinks and prices continue to rise. In August, builders’ inventory in the GTA—low-rise and highrise combined—fell even further to 15,979, compared to 35,000 in 2009.

new high-Rise

new DETACHED HOMES

Statistics

Statistics The average price of a new detached home available for sale in the GTA was

The average price of a highrise home in the GTA was

Compare that to 10 years ago when the average price was

$442,420

$1,166,005

the previous year

and 1.5 times more than the $314,370 average in August 2006.

$480,914 in august

in August

Supply and Demand Due to government intensification policy, fewer low-rise, particularly detached homes, are being built. As a result, new releases of detached homes continually sell out hours after launch. Says BILD President and CEO Bryan Tuckey: “The supply of low-rise homes–especially single family detached homes–has plummeted in the years since the Growth Plan was introduced, but demand for those types of homes has not diminished. As a result, prices have increased dramatically.”

Supply and Demand Remaining inventory of high-rise homes in August was 14,600, comprised of 8,043 units in pre-construction and 5,320 units currently in construction, with 1,237 available units in completed buildings. August 2016

Down from 10,823 units available in 2006.

New Low-Rise

from August 2015

and considerably higher than the 10-year average of 1,239.

Supply and Demand Remaining low-rise units in August was 1,379. That’s a new record low. This is less than one tenth of the 16,560 that were available for purchase in June 2006.

(includes detached, townhomes and semi-detached homes) Statistics august 2016 $931,506

up 74%

1,880 highrise homes sold

592 detached homes available

august 2016

up 7% from

August 2006 $393,398 August 2016

up 16%

and more than double the price of $393,398 average of June 2006.

Average price of a low-rise home in the GTA hit $931,506 in August 2016.

Down 44%

491 low-rise homes sold

from August 2015

and marking a 10-year low.

HERE’S THE SPREAD ON NEW HOME SALES There were 2,371 new home sales in August. Up 21 per cent from the previous year. Low-rise sales declined 44 per cent to 491 homes, while high-rise sales increased 70 per cent to 1,880. August 2016 STATS BY MUNICIPALITY Low-Rise

HighRise

Region

2014

2015

2016

2014

2015

Durham

202

113

212

Halton

139

Peel

359

378

Toronto

York

Total 2016

2014

2015

2016

218

185

250

178

212

150

237

112

412

452

196

948

687

1,395

1,010

699

1,406

389

282

125

200

188

157

589

470

282

GTA

1,151

878

491

1,290

1,078

1,880

2,441

1,956

2,371

Jan-Aug

12,322

14,163

12,956

13,842

13,743

17,949

26,164

27,906

30,905

Information compiled by BILD Association (Building Industry and Land Development Association): BILD represents more than 1,480 member companies in the land development, home building and professional renovation industry in the Greater Toronto Area. All data in the report is supplied by Altus Group.

Source: Altus Group

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Ontario Home Builders' Association recognizes outstanding industry professionalism at annual gala story BY alan A. vernon

oronto-based company Tridel captured top honours when it was named the 2016 Ontario Home Builder of the Year by the Ontario Home Buildersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association (OHBA) at its annual conference in September in Collingwood. Tridel was awarded this prestigious prize due to the company's commitment to building sustainable communities, involvement and initiatives within its communities and devotion to customer engagement and service. With more than 80 years of experience as a leader in the new home and condo industry, Tridel built their reputation on core values with a strong emphasis on the importance of collaboration with stakeholders to ensure they meet the needs of those who live in and around their communities. Plus their buildings are designed and built to conserve more energy, water and resources than standard Building Code compliant buildings. Tridel is also a strong advocate for community action and in 2009 initiated Building Opportunities for Life Today (B.O.L.T.), a collaborative community and industry initiative to connect under-resourced youth to careers in construction. To date B.O.L.T. has raised more than $2 million and provided 210 scholarships. In 2015, Tridel also sponsored a farm of 1,500 milk crates (pictured right) behind the new YMCA youth shelter adjacent to Tridelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SQ at Alexandra Park development in downtown Toronto. The initiative produced almost 400 lbs. of organic produce while engaging more than 30 youth and 100 volunteers.

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Other Prestige Award winners include:

Project of the Year High or Mid-Rise Minto Communities for Bside at Minto Westside—Toronto

Project of the Year Low-Rise Great Gulf for Summerlyn Village —Simcoe County Photo by Peter A, Sellar

People’s Choice Award Branthaven Homes for Lake House—Grimsby

» For a complete list of all 39 winners, visit ohba.ca. Scan this page to see more abode Fall 2016

Spotlight // Kylemore Communities

Angus Glen Winner of the building industry’s Best Places to Grow Award, developed and built by multi-award winning Kylemore Communities, and surrounded by two championship golf courses, Angus Glen is one of Markham’s most prestigious communities. Today, the community is home to almost 1,100 homes, including the two buildings that comprise The 6th – Markham’s only resort-style condominium and newly released Brownstones enclave of luxury towns. Within walking distance, The Shoppes of Angus Glen offers premium dining, banking and conveniences, and Main Street, Unionville is a short drive. Angus Glen features a host of recreational opportunities including a spectacular community centre with ice rinks, swimming pool and tennis facility. Schools, public transit and major shopping venues are also nearby. The overall architectural and landscape elements for the community reflect the charming streetscapes of Markham’s historic neighbourhoods. The 6th is under construction with available suites ranging from from 770 to 2,190 square feet., priced from $790,000. A sumptuous model suite is open to view. Surrounded by mature trees, Brownstones features striking architecture and deluxe finishes in townhomes from 2,488 to 3,100 square feet Prices start at $1.3 million. kylemorecommunities.com • (905) 887-9950

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SUITES FROM $790,000

A world-class lifestyle at Angus Glen, right here in Markham.

See a Kylemore sales representative for details. Prices are subject to change without notice. Illustrations are artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concept. Brokers protected. E. & O.E.

P R E S E N TAT I O N CENTRE & MODEL SUITE MAJOR MACKENZIE DR.

KENNEDY RD.

W A R D E N AV E .

An award-winning community nestled around the prestigious Angus Glen Golf Club. A distinguished builder with a talent for creating appreciation. Two flawless homeownership opportunities. An enticing lifestyle is waiting for you, minutes from Main St. Unionville, leisure and cultural venues, shops and conveniences.

H W Y. 4 0 4

Now selling executive townhomes & resort-style condo suites.

1 6 T H AV E .

905.887.9950 | KYLEMORECOMMUNITIES.COM

4500 MAJOR MACKENZIE DRIVE EAST

TOWNHOMES FROM $1.3 MILLION

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story By Alan A. Vernon Why do visitors ooh and aah upon entering the model suite of The 6th? Perhaps it's the deft blending of traditional styling with modern appointments designed to achieve an appearance reminiscent of century-old apartments in Paris or London. Whatever the reason, last month this model suite received this year's Best Interior Decorating Award (up to 2,000 sq. ft.) by the Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA).

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Says designer Mike Niven, “It’s the ceiling heights, moulding details and trimmed archways that provided us with the bones to build this look," which includes luxury finishes like chevronpatterned flooring, a marble master bathroom and beautiful stone countertops in the kitchen. “People who are moving from large homes are looking for something different,” says Niven. “The model features clean, sleek lines in everything from the cabinetry to the sofa and night tables. The upper cabinets in the kitchen were omitted to suggest even more openness. Rich materials like decorative wall panelling set the tone for luxury living. The grand 10-foot ceiling height, framed archways and details are worldly trends. The overall effect is both stunning and comfortable, which is what the elite clientele here desire.” Built by Kylemore Communities, The 6th, an idyllic, two-building resort-style condo overlooking the prestigious south course of the Angus Glen Golf Club in Markam, offers high-end finishes like natural

stone flooring in foyer and powder room, handscraped oak hardwood, crown moulding and a wine fridge. It probably also helps to have Sub-Zero and Wolf stainless steel kitchen appliances included in the package. Niven and Kylemore Communities also took home the award for Best New Home Sales Office (over 1,500 sq. ft.). Niven’s soothing colour scheme of warm white, rich gold and tones of grey, derived from a custom art piece which hangs in the living area, gives the overall impression of richness, high-style and comfort—everything you desire in a home. An excellent selection of suite layouts – from onebedroom to two-bedroom plus den and family room – are still available. Suites range in size from 770 to 2,198 sq.ft. Prices start from $790,000. For more information about Kylemore Communities, visit the presentation centre at 4500 Major Mackenzie Dr. or call 905-887-9950. To register for upcoming new home opportunities, visit kylemorecommunities.com.

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Mixed-use project is East Bayfront’s first to head skyward story BY Ryan Starr PhotoGRAPHY by spencer wynn

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Bayside Toronto wasn’t the first development to launch in East Bayfront. That distinction goes to Monde, a Great Gulf Homes building designed by legendary architect Moshe Safdie. The mixed-use project went on sale in 2011, well ahead of Hines and Tridel’s Bayside. But a quick glance today at Queen Quay East just east of Sherbourne Common reveals that Aqualina (pictured opposite), the inaugural building at Bayside Toronto, is the first one out of the ground and heading skyward. “You can see it from everywhere now,” says Jim Ritchie, Tridel’s vice-president of sales and marketing. Aqualina (362 units), one of eight buildings planned for this two-million sq. ft., 13-acre community, is slated to take occupancy in summer 2017. The second building under development at Bayside, Aquavista (226 suites)—winner of the GTA Building, Industry, Land and Development association (BILD)’s 2015 Places to Grow Community of the Year award—occupies in summer 2018. “We’re well under way and we’re about 95 per cent sold between the two buildings,” says Ritchie, noting that his team has sold more than 65 homes priced at more than $1 million at Aqualina and Aquavista. At full build-out, Bayside—a development valued at $1.1 billion—will comprise 1,800 units across six residential buildings, and two nine-storey LEED-certified office towers. The community will be powered by a waterfront-wide, ultra-high speed broadband network, and Bayside’s buildings will have retail at ground level along a

cobblestone street, including a 30,000-sq. ft. grocery store opening at the base of Aquavista. Bayside brings new green space to the waterfront, too. Aitken Place Park ties in with adjacent Sherbourne Common and the Water’s Edge Promenade, which is being extended east into the community. The neighbourhood will be accessible via a new ring road, dubbed Merchant’s Wharf, and a private internal road, Edgewater Drive. (“We wanted to call it Bayside Drive,” quips Ritchie.) Earlier this year, Tridel and Hines unveiled plans for the community’s third residential tower, Aquabella, designed by Danish firm 3XN. The building—12 storeys, with 174 condo units and 7,000-sq. ft. of ground-level retail space—will be L-shaped, maximizing waterfront views and ensuring sunlight reaches public areas. Like its predecessors, Aquabella will feature a fitness centre with

yoga and spin studios, theatre room, party room with bar, private dining room, indoor and outdoor lounges and an outdoor pool. Suites range from 562 to 4,326 sq. ft, though the bulk will fall between 1,500 and 2,000 sq. ft., priced from $425,000 to $1.2 million. “The focus here is very much on bigger homes,” says Ritchie, noting that the condos at Bayside’s third phase will have large garden terraces boasting unparalleled views of the Toronto harbour. “Our mandate for 3XN was to give us as many homes as possible with direct exposure to water, and we wanted to maximize the amount of outdoor living space to complement that.” During a preview event for Bayside’s third phase earlier this year, 3XN principal Kim Herforth Nielsen told the audience that his team’s inspiration for the project came from the cottages they observed during a Toronto

Islands excursion. The suite designs at Bayside’s third phase “put people first,” noted Nielsen, stressing that particular attention has been paid to “quality of views, space and lifestyle.” Ritchie says affluent folks who are moving out of multimillion-dollar homes and young professionals seeking a roomy place to raise a family are the target market for these larger suites. “They want the condo lifestyle,” he says, “but it’s hard to find something in the 2,000 sq. ft. range in the city.” Bayside, with its singular lakeside offerings, will draw its market from across the GTA. “We believe we can provide an alternative to Yorkville on Toronto’s waterfront,” says Ritchie. “There’s a very limited opportunity here to buy bigger suites with direct water views, large usable outdoor space and in close proximity to downtown. “It’s a tough combination to pull together, but we’ve got it all here.” abode Fall 2016

story BY Tracy Hanes Photos by spencer wynn

ome sales in Durham Region are zooming faster than the cars on the newly opened road of Highway 407. While the 407 now stretches as far east as Harmony Road in Oshawa, the faster commute is only part of the reason why Durham Region has become one of the hottest areas for real estate, say experts. “It’s not [the only] factor, because we see similar things happening in other parts of the GTA,” says Andrew Scott, GTA senior market analyst for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “When you look at Durham Region, it has what people want–relatively affordable low-rise housing. Places like Durham Region, Brampton, Halton Hills and Hamilton are a bit further from the core of the city, but a lot of people still want affordable low-rise.”

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Factors like the 407 extension do help fuel home sales, Scott adds. As people calculate their commute times, land and housing that previously weren’t attractive to buyers gain new appeal. So it may seem puzzling that Durham year-to-date sales (until July) are only up 4 per cent over 2015. However, prices have risen 17 per cent to an average of $514,000, which includes all types of housing. The reason the number of sales hasn’t increased dramatically, says Scott, is that the ratio of sales-to-listings is high and inventories have been depleted. “Supply hasn’t been able to keep up with demand,” he explains. “Although sales aren’t growing as fast, there is a lot of competition for listings that do come on the market. Even new home inventories are touching on record lows and it’s not uncommon to hear that sales sites are selling out in a weekend.” Minto Communities’ Kingmeadow project in Oshawa sits just south of the 407, at Simcoe Street, where its first four phases have sold out. More than 900 homes have been sold in three years and 600 completed, says Amanda Wilson Watkins, vice president of sales and marketing for Minto. Wilson Watkins says buyers were aware that the 407 extension was coming and sales demand for the development has doubled in the last 18 months. Saving on commute times appeals to home buyers and the opening of the extension has helped make North Oshawa one of the fastestgrowing regions in the GTA, she says. Scott says every community in Durham along a major highway— including Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and Oshawa—is experiencing brisk sales. Even the most eastern municipality, Clarington, is seeing a lot of single detached home construction activity. You don’t have to tell Hugh Heron, president of Heathwood Homes, how hot Durham Region has become with home buyers; he’s been building in Whitby since 1972. Heathwood’s latest launch, Country Lane, quickly sold out of the 300 singles homes it launched in the spring, at prices that started in the $700,000s. He says the 407 is just one reason for the surge. Durham is one of the only areas that has room for new home development as provincial government policies and a lack of serviced developable land have limited growth within the GTA. “I think it’s as simple as saying this is a good place for my kids to grow up and we have to get away from the 500 sq. ft. condo,” says Heron, who also points out that with low-rise prices in Toronto out of reach for many buyers, Durham represents good value. Scott agrees: “I think in Durham, because of the fact we see demand so high compared to supply, it suggests there are a lot of firsttime buyers and a lot of migrants coming from Toronto to find affordable low-rise housing.” Heron says he believes the 407 is definitely an asset to those looking to the GTA east to buy a home. “It’s absolutely marvellous,” he says. “From the Don Valley Parkway to the 407 and to the site at Country Lane is half an hour. It makes for easy living.”

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Resort combines pristine wilderness setting with urbane pleasures story & photoGRAPHY BY Tracy Hanes

f you yearn to escape from the hassles of urban life—gridlock, smog alerts and crowded sidewalks— and don’t want to forsake urbane pleasures, Fox Harb’r Resort could be the perfect compromise. The Maritime luxury resort sits on 1,150 acres along a craggy Atlantic coastline on Nova Scotia’s Northumberland Strait. As well as stunning ocean views, a tranquil atmosphere and unspoiled wilderness, you’ll find sophisticated pleasures: gourmet dining, pampering spa treatments, a championship golf course and, of course, a jetport to park your plane. Tim Hortons co-founder Ron Joyce built the resort near his hometown of Tatamagouche with the goal of creating jobs for local folks. It’s evolved from a well-kept secret into one of Canada’s best upscale resorts, with a residential option for those who want to own a vacation home in this ruggedly beautiful part of the country. Getting there, even if you don’t have your own private plane, isn’t difficult. It’s a quick

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two-hour flight from Toronto, then a 90 minute drive north from Halifax or Moncton through spectacular landscapes on uncrowded roads. When it opened in 2001, Fox Harb’r was intended as a golf resort with its Graham Cook-designed championship course. Tiger Woods set the course record in 2009 when he played at a charity event there. While golf is still an important part of the offerings, “it’s become much more than a golf resort,” says Kevin Toth, Fox Harb’r president. He’s working to broaden awareness of the resort as a destination for everyone, even those who have never swung a club. There is clay shooting, fly fishing in two stocked ponds, horseback riding, hiking, biking and kayaking. The Dol-ás Spa, housed in the same building as a fitness centre with junior Olympic pool, gym, mineral bath and hot tub, has a full roster of treatments. And chef Shane Robilliard (pictured left) and his culinary team serve up superb seafood as well as chicken, pork, beef and lamb in the Cape Cliff dining room. There’s also a pub for less formal fare. Robilliard is a passionate advocate for sustainable food with most items on the menu being locally sourced. The restaurant also has one of the best wine lists in the Maritimes, plus the resort planted its first grapevines in its new vineyard this year, which should yield the first wines in 2019. Anyone who buys a home or building lot at Fox Harb’r gets full golf playing privileges and access to all resort amenities. Homes can serve as principle residences or seasonal getaways. Residential offerings in Stone Harb’r Village include serviced half-acre lots with golf course, ocean and forest views, priced from $195,000 to $385,000 for those who want to build custom homes. Executive townhomes with Craftsman-style architecture boasting golf course and ocean views are available from $525,000 to $749,000, with 10-foot main floor ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious great rooms, gourmet kitchens and master en-suites with private decks, heated floors and walk-in closets. The towns come in three or four bedroom plans with three bathrooms and range from 2,700 to 3,000 sq. ft., plus 1,355 to 1,670 sq. ft. basements. Fractional ownership of an executive townhouse is an affordable option at $169,000 to $215,000 for 12 weeks use per year. Two new custom homes are available for purchase, including the Craftsmanstyle Edgewood, with four bedrooms and 6,479 sq. ft. of living space. It has terrific views from one of the highest points of the resort, and has B.C. timber fir accents, double-height ceilings and a stone fireplace. It’s priced at $1,595,000. The Seagrove, a three-bedroom, three-bath New England-style home coming in at 3,100 sq. ft. plus basement, with two-car garage, flagstone patio, media room, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and ocean views is priced at $1,029,000. With real estate in Ontario’s most popular cottage country areas characterized by high prices and multiple offers, a vacation home at Fox Harb’r could be an attractive option—and no roughing it required.

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JW Marriott resort in Muskoka offers hassle-free hotel-condo ownership story BY Ryan Starr

t’s tough out there for those with aspirations of cottaging in Muskoka. Demands of the alwaysconnected modern world mean the lucky few who do own a piece of paradise in Canada’s version of the Hamptons can’t spend nearly as much time there as they’d like to. For the rest of the population, simply affording a place in cottage country is the big challenge: the average sale price for a cottage on Lake Rosseau in 2015 was a tidy $1.79 million, more than double what it was 15 years ago. Enter JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa, a hotel-condo project in Minett, two and a half hours northwest of Toronto. Prices for the 133 suites available for sale start in the low $200,000s. “These properties are a magnet for people who want a cottage experience, but don’t want to spend all their time there,” says Michael Sneyd, COO of Rosseau Developments, the company carrying out sales and development at Canada’s first JW Marriott resort. “The homes offer all the benefits of owning a $10 million cottage on Lake Rosseau without having to put out $10 million to buy one.” The Rosseau was designed in the style of the grand Muskoka lodges built more than a century ago. It was the first phase of Red Leaves, an ambitious master-plan project by developer Ken Fowler acquired by Canadian Niagara Hotels in 2011. Previously a Marriott-managed property, the resort changed to a Marriott franchise given CNH’s experience and reputation as the largest hotelier in the Niagara region.

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Sales of The Rosseau’s 133 condo-hotel units— those remaining of the 221 built in 2009—launch this fall. These range from 496 sq. ft. studios to 1,300 sq. ft. two-bedroom suites. Fowler spared no expense on The Rosseau, equipping hotel-condo units with stone fireplaces, hardwood flooring and high woodpalled ceilings with crown moulding. The suites have granite countertops, and bathrooms have double-sink vanities, separate shower, water closet room and cast iron tub. Appliances are Miele and Sub Zero. “Everything is five-star quality,” says Sneyd. “And management has done a great job maintaining the units. They look as good as when they were originally built.” Owners have access to the units nine weeks a year: three in summer and two each of the other seasons. When they’re not in use, the condos are placed in a rental pool, with the JW Marriott hotel management team taking care of cleaning and maintenance. (Unit owners split room revenues with the hotel proportionately, based on purchase price, minus a 10 per cent rental pool management fee and five per cent fee for CNH’s commercial ownership share.) Investors can rest assured knowing they own a place on the same lake as Toronto Maple Leaf legends Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmour. “Getting a cottage in Muskoka is as important as getting your blue sweater when you join the Leafs,” says Sneyd. The JW Marriott is also a five-minute boat cruise away from the Rogers family vacation compound; they dressed up a nearby cell tower to look like an evergreen tree. The Rosseau resort is family-friendly with a year-round indoor-outdoor pool, whirlpool, children’s splash pad, watercrafts for rent

(motorized and non-motorized), and a floating climbing gym and trampoline. The Rock golf course, designed by Nick Faldo, is next door. The Muskoka JW Marriott was ranked the No. 8 top resort in Canada by Conde Nast Traveler readers, the only resort east of the Rockies that made the list, says Sneyd. And National Geographic named the resort a top celebrity summer-vacation destination, with a cast of Hollywood star-cottagers on Lake Rosseau, including Martin Short, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. “It’s a booming place,” says Sneyd. In keeping with Fowler’s master plan, The Rosseau will one day be the anchor of a fourseason village that’ll include a town square and marina, shops, eateries and a boardwalk lining Lake Rosseau. “The original vision will come to pass,” says Sneyd. “It’ll just take longer than the original developer thought.” (Fowler has retained ownership of neighbouring Clevelands House, an aging resort that’s slated to be replaced as per his plan.) The next phase of development will see construction of lakefront cottages. “The land is zoned and the site plan is approved,” says Sneyd, who in his previous role as CEO of Skyline International Development oversaw the redevelopment of Deerhurst Resort, Horseshoe Resort and the village at Blue Mountain. The Rosseau’s main lodge has a steakhouse, Italian restaurant and casual family dining spot, plus a poolside bistro, general store and bustling lobby lounge, a JW Marriott signature. There’s a fitness centre, spa with 11 treatment rooms and dedicated pool, and a 15,000 sq. ft. conference centre that Sneyd says has been a huge hit. “We could sell it out every weekend for weddings, but we need to keep it for corporate groups, too.”

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Enza Checchia

Hats off to Hats on story BY Tracy Hanes PhotoGRAPHY by spencer wynn

his is a year of self-discovery and advocacy for Enza Checchia, 51, the dynamo behind the full-service Woodbridge decor company Decorenza and co-founder of Hats On for Awareness, a charity that raises much needed funds to further the reach of mental health programs that enhance the lives of those living with mental illness and addiction. This spring, Checchia began a 12-month leave from Decorenza to devote more time to the cause and to lobby for better access to treatment. Checchia, too, has experienced mental illness firsthand and knows its effects on those who deal with it as well as the impact it can have on friends and family. Her father Giovanni Tiberi suffered from depression and took his own life 29 years ago. And she, herself, has suffered major depressive episodes. Today, Checchia is healthy and free of symptoms and medication, but says she could not have achieved this without psychotherapy. She’s been sharing her story to help promote understanding and acceptance of mental illness. “You go through experiences so you can shed light for others,” says Checchia. “I’m a regular person like anyone else and I was able to get through this thing.” While she was able to afford therapy, Checchia is disheartened by the long waiting lists for those who can’t afford it and are, therefore, forced to wait for government-funded treatment. “My personal mission is to make psychotherapy accessible and financially available to anyone,” she says. “It changed my life.” So she and Benny Caringi, who owns Sun-Brite Drapery, cofounded Hats On for Awareness. The two just wrapped up the eighth Hatsquerade Gala in October where guests came decked out in colourful and creative headwear to the annual fundraiser. Since its inception, Hats On for Awareness has raised more than $500,000 for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), jack.org and the Humber River Hospital. While Checchia says she’ll always be part of Hats On, she wants to get involved in lobbying government for more resources devoted to mental health. For more about Hats On or to see how you can get involved, visit hatsonforawareness.com..

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THE TREND Celebrities Who Own A Piece of The 6

The Dirt

The Toronto International Film Festival may have rolled up the red carpet nearly two months ago, but the who's who of Hollywood continues to flock to our turf to invest in our real estate market and own a piece of one of the best cities in the world. Back in 2011, Mark Wahlberg purchased a 4,600-square-foot penthouse at 36 Hazelton in Yorkville. Drake has been building a dream home on Park Lane Circle in the Bridle Path; reportedly since 2015. The proposed 21,000-squarefoot property will feature an NBA-sized basketball court. And Rachel McAdams claims the South Annex as her 'hood of choice. She owns a semi-detached Victorian-style house.

THE DEETS Sales and Average Price by Major Home Type â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 2016

416

905

Detached

$1,294,482

$928,414

Semi-Detached

$887,916

$608,122

Townhouse

$655,466

$540,183

Condo

$446,294

$367,260

Year-Over-Year Per Cent Change

416

905 Condo

Condo

6.5%

Detached

23% Townhouse

Townhouse

24.3%

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Detached

26.6%

20.2% Semi-Detached

Semi-Detached

19.7%

22.2%

Source: TREB Market Watch â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 2016

19.4%

416 Average Asking Price Per Square Foot (New Construction, Highrise) Etobicoke

$600/SF

North York

$577/SF

Scarborough

$469/SF

Toronto

$739/SF

GTA New Homes Overview August 2015 $450,837 $800,099

Y/Y Change

August 2016 Highrise

$480,914 $931,506

Low-Rise

16.4% 6.7%

THE ANALYSIS Buying a Condo as an Investment

Highrise

Low-Rise

Source: Altus Data Solutions Canada – August 2016

Toronto rental prices have jumped about 20 per cent in the past four years. Low interest rates have allowed for reasonable carrying costs.

RENTAL MARKET STATS Total TREB MLS Condo Rentals Q2 2016 - 8574 Q2 2015 - 8812 Inventory challenges brought the numbers down. Had more listings been available, the numbers would have been up.

TREB MLS Average 1 Bedroom Condo Rent Q2 2016 - $1710 Q2 2015 - $1608 Demand and new offerings with great amenities are driving the rental rates up.

Rental Market Averages as per TREB MLS

The Idea of T.O.'s EATALY

Eataly is the largest Italian marketplace in the world, a hedonistic homage to taste, comprised of a variety of restaurants, food and beverage counters, bakery, retail items and fresh groceries. Founded in 2004, the headquarters are in Monticello D'Alba, Italy and five additional locations are spread throughout the country. Eataly has made its presence known internationally with locations in Monaco, Istanbul, Dubai, Japan, Seoul and San Paolo. Our neighbours to the south have two locations in NYC (Downtown and the Flatiron District), one in Chicago, and it's coming soon to Boston, L.A. and, finally TORONTO! Proposed in the Manulife Centre opposite Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street in Yorkville, the Canadian debut is proposed to span 50,000 sq. ft. across three storeys.

we are

• New Home Sales & Marketing Gurus • Licensed Realtors • Market Nerds

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DUFFERIN

CU: 4 LR: 100

TORONTO

CU: 3,073 LR: 390

PEEL REGION 334 condo units 1,342 low-rise units

Alton Bolton Brampton Caledon Mississauga

DUFFERIN REGION 4 condo units 100 low-rise units

Amaranth East Garafraxa East Luther Grand Valley Melancthon Mulmur Orangeville Shelburne

Brookville Burlington Halton Hills Milton Moffat Nassagawaya Oakville

PEEL

CU: 334 LR: 1,342

HALTON REGION 342 condo units 361 low-rise units

Scan this page with your app for an interactive map including up-to-date builds in the GTA

HAMILTON

HALTON

CU: 342 LR: 361

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GTA

Bloor West City Centre / Midtown Toronto East York Etobicoke North York Parkdale Scarborough The Beaches York

TORONTO 3,073 condo units 390 low-rise units

YORK

CU: 808 LR: 1,582

Thornhill Vaughan King Markham Georgina Aurora

Newmarket Richmond Hill East Gwillimbury WhitchurchStouffville BradfordWest Gwillimbury

Ajax Brock Clarington Oshawa Pickering Scugog Uxbridge Whitby

CU: Condo Units LR: Low-rise Units

YORK REGION 808 condo units 1,582 low-rise units

DURHAM

CU: 47 LR: 775

DURHAM REGION 47 condo units 775 low-rise units

SIMCOE

Whether Whetheryou’re you’relooking looking for foraanew newhome homeor oraa smart smartinvestment, investment,Lindvest Lindvestoffers offers you yousome somegreat greatchoices. choices. TORONTO – GRAND OPENING! TORONTO – GRAND OPENING!

BROWNSTONES AT WESTOWN PHASE 2 BROWNSTONES AT WESTOWN PHASE 2 Condo Towns From $309,900 Condo From $309,900 Weston Rd.Towns and Sheppard Ave W., Toronto. Weston Rd.416.740.1175 and Sheppard Ave W., Toronto. VISIT TODAY. VISIT TODAY. 416.740.1175

AURORA – COMING EARLY 2017! AURORA – COMING EARLY 2017!

NEWCASTLE – 40' + 50' DESIGNS NEWCASTLE – 40' + 50' DESIGNS

GRACEFIELDS GRACEFIELDS Detached Homes From The Mid $500,000’s

Detached Homes From TheNewcastle. Mid $500,000’s Highway 2 and Rudell Rd., HighwayTO2VIEW! and Rudell Rd., Newcastle. 4 MODELS 1.877.361.4226 4 MODELS TO VIEW! 1.877.361.4226

MARKHAM – SALES OFFICE CLOSED MARKHAM – SALES OFFICE CLOSED

PHASE 2 IN MARKHAM PHASE 2 IN MARKHAM

AURORA GLEN PHASE III AURORA GLEN PHASE III Executive Townhomes Executive Townhomes Leslie St., Aurora. LeslieEARLY St., Aurora. COMING 2017!

GRAND CORNELL BROWNSTONES GRAND BROWNSTONES Starting From CORNELL The $290,000’s From The $290,000’s BY Starting APPOINTMENT ONLY. 416.736.6500 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. 416.736.6500

COMING EARLY 2017!

COMING COMINGSOON! SOON!SONIC SONICCONDOS CONDOS ATATEGLINTON AND DON MILLS EGLINTON AND DON MILLS For more information about current and upcoming communities, visit us online. For more information about current and upcoming communities, visit us online. “Lindvest”, the Lindvest logo, and “Life Happens Here” are trade-marks of Lindvest“Lindvest”, Marketing Limited and are used in any form, the Lindvest logo, andunder “Life license. HappensReproduction Here” are trade-marks of without prior written permission Lindvest Marketing Limited, is strictly prohibited. Lindvest Marketing Limitedofand are used under license. Reproduction in any form, Renderings artist’s concept only. Pricing, specs and availability subject without priorare written permission of Lindvest Marketing Limited, is strictly prohibited. to change without notice. E.&O.E. Renderings are artist’s concept only. Pricing, specs and availability subject to change without notice. E.&O.E.

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