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Dan O’Reilly, ConstructConnect

ELLISDON—Pictured here is the start of typical floors in the King Blue, South Tower.

Rising over King Street in downtown Toronto, the King Blue Condominium complex has been comprised of almost equal parts concrete pours and meticulous masonry preservation.

Designed by Page+Steele/IBI Group for the Greenland Group and built by construction manager EllisDon, the complex consists of a 48-storey north tower and 44-storey south tower (including podiums) and a five-level underground parking garage on the site of the former Canadian Westinghouse factory.

The original 22.9-metre-high, three-whythe-thick walls of that building were incorporated into the north tower podium as a facade along King Street and Blue Jay Ways, a small street on the west side.

“It’s the highest facade restoration in Canada as far as we know,” says Annabel Vaughan, project manager with E.R.A Architects, the heritage consultant.

Although in “fairly good shape” the facade needed work, says Vaughan who gives high marks to Clifford Restoration for its long list of restorative measures including brick repointing and the repair of the terracotta which frames the windows—with some new pieces added.

The heritage contractor also installed approximately 30,000 reclaimed bricks from the Westinghouse building as a veneer on the podium’s east and south sides. Other aspects of the restoration included the installation of new steel windows with the “historic profile” of the original ones.

The retention/incorporation of the facade was the most complex component of the project which got underway in 2015, says EllisDon project manager Neil Christian.

It had to be supported by a special steel-truss system while it ‘floated’ over the garage excavation area. Subsequently, it was supported by the new foundation and then connected to the podium at every floor before the restoration could begin, he says.

There were also some challenges on the concrete ledger of the project.

Approximately 50,000 cubic metres of concrete were installed and a number strategies and operating procedures were put in place. The included stick built formwork on the podiums, the use of the Peri RCS formwork climbing system on the towers, utilizing both an electric and diesel concrete pump, and a “staggered approach” to pouring the concrete.

“We wanted the towers to go up at the same time,” says Christian, explaining that this enabled interior work, such as mechanical/electrical systems to commence concurrently.

To meet that objective forming subcontractor Premform Limited used separate teams for the towers—with some overlapping between each, he says.

ELLISDON—The King Blue condo complex project required the highest facade restoration ever done in Canada.

Because it would have interfered with traffic and, in particular, the movement of streetcars, concrete deliveries couldn’t be made from King Street.

Instead, they were made at two alternate locations. The first and main location was a one-way westbound street known as Mercer at the south end of the development.

“We took over one of the lanes (on Mercer) and the sidewalk,” says EllisDon assistant site supervisor Kevin Ryan.

In a fenced-off staging area on that street, there was enough room to accommodate two concrete trucks—one truck driver making the delivery while the second waited.

The Mercer Street staging area was the location of the electric pump, which supplied approximately 80 percent of the concrete. Just to the east is a hotel and that played a large factor on why the pump was placed there.

“It’s quieter (than diesel) and there is less fumes,” says Ryan, explaining the intent was to avoid complaints from the hotel, especially if work continued after 7 pm and a formal complaint could be lodged.

As for the diesel pump, it operated from a courtyard between the towers. There was just enough space to accommodate two trucks which had to back into that space along an alleyway, he says.

The piping could be reconfigured from each pump to service either the north or south tower.

Each floor took about four days to complete, including the floor slabs and walls, and the repetitive nature of the tower erection allowed EllisDon to submit its concrete orders to CBM near the end of one week for the following week.

“We knew our schedules and quantities,” says Ryan.

With two batch plants in Toronto, the ready-mix concrete supplier was able to meet those time lines. There were occasions, however, that concrete trucks would be delayed by traffic congestion or other reasons.

“When that happened we would have to slow down the pour or the line would dry out.”

Ensuring a timely and consistent supply was also the rationale for the staggered approach where pouring would be occurring in one tower, while other phased work such a building/ taking down the formwork or installing rebar was underway in the second tower, he says.

There were some construction disruption and occupancy delays because of COVID-19, says the Greenland Group’s director of construction and contract, Liwen Deng.

“But we worked hard to ensure that we were able to receive permits despite many obstacles, including the City (of Toronto) shutting down for a period of time.”

The north tower podium has been reserved for commercial uses including Qube Hotel, a part of the Greenland Hotel Group Division. Other commercial and retail users will be announced at a later date. All of King Blue’s 914 units have been sold, says Deng.

As for the restoration of the facade, she says Greenland want to contribute to the vibrancy and energy of the neighbourhood and that has been accomplished by combining the complex’s historic and modern elements.

CBC Toronto

The Canadian Westinghouse Building at King Street West and Peter Street has undergone a massive transformation.

Built in the 1920s, the six-storey building was partially demolished a few years ago to make way for a new mixed-use development by Greenland Group— but crews preserved the north and west facades of the heritage structure.

Here’s what went into the construction.

Emmy Cao, Greenland, Building Excellence

Construction hoarding is a critical asset – it’s a key piece of real estate that supports the project’s brand but also communicates your corporate philosophy.

It’s time to think strategically about this very public statement.

At Greenland’s Lakeside Residences development in Toronto’s East Bayfront, we had the opportunity to reimagine hoarding as a public art piece, with amazing results.

We partnered with PATCH, a social enterprise initiative to join public art projects with city development, which connected Greenland with Toronto muralist and designer Pam Lostracco to design the hoarding at Lakeshore Blvd. E. and Lower Sherbourne.

Reflections of the past

Our partnership with PATCH was a natural extension to Greenland’s commitment to supporting local arts and culture. Greenland has also been building on a legacy of art with the mural hoarding installation at our King Blue site. It was an easy decision to continue our pledge to public art with the installation of the Lakeside Residences hoarding in this emerging eastside neighbourhood.

The mural, Reflections, tells the story and history of the Toronto waterfront area while offering a glimpse of the neighbourhood’s future. The inclusion of the historic Redpath Sugar Factory pays homage to Toronto’s industrial past, while the mural gives passersby a window into what the skyline will look like once construction is complete.

Visual hoardings can bring positive attention to a development, minimizing the negative stigma that sometimes comes with ongoing construction, especially in large urban centres. Murals and art can add vibrancy to the site, turning an eyesore into an attraction, and even creating anticipation for what’s to come.

Strategic thinking

Throughout the process, we learned that when contemplating a mural or visual hoarding for a space, ensure that the chosen design is appropriate year-round, to accommodate changing seasons for an ever-evolving site. A beach scene may seem like a great idea when the hoarding is slated to be removed by September but will be out of place if it remains into the winter. Installation costs make it challenging to change the display multiple times, so it’s important to invest strategic thinking in choosing the right message and image.

Keep the weather in mind, too. Reflections is printed on aluminum, allowing snow and rain to run off the hoarding. Those in a more moderate climates might consider an alternative material, better suited for the conditions.

Ensuring that the artist and your team are aware of all legal protocols is also crucial. For example, hoarding and signage permits need to be obtained and public art vision and signage permits need to be approved from the ward counsel. In addition, marketing content should not exceed 50 per cent of the entire hoarding.

Greenland’s artistic hoarding at Lakeside Residences involved some additional thought, but the end result was absolutely worth it. We consider Reflections to be a gift to purchasers, the community and city as a whole, and we wholeheartedly encourage our peers to find creative ways to contribute to the urban landscape by improving construction hoarding across the GTA.

Reflections can be seen at the preconstruction site of the Lakeside Residences, a multi-tower, Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed condo development, at 215 Lakeshore Blvd. E. For more information call 416-968- 9196 or visit lakesidetoronto.com.

REMI Network

A new mural gracing the construction hoarding around the Lakeside Residences condominium project in Toronto offers a visual of what the East Bayfront community and the city’s skyline will look like once the condo is complete.

The recent collaboration between developer Greenland Group and local public art organization the PATCH Project involved Toronto muralist and designer Pam Lostracco. She created the 375-foot mural, called Reflections, after much research into the history of the neighbourhood.

Reflections pays homage to Toronto’s industrial past by incorporating the historic Redpath Sugar Factory into the piece, and illustrates an exact reflection of the water, including the warm tones that are seen at Toronto’s waterfront during certain times of the day. Lostracco also used horizontal lines to evoke a calming space, seen in the mural’s water and skyline.

Urban Toronto

A decade into its transformation from post-industrial brownfields into a thriving mixed-use community, Toronto’s East Bayfront area continues its revitalization. The latest project to begin site preparation activity in the area is Lakeside Residences at Lake Shore and Lower Sherbourne. The Greenland Group is now gearing up for shoring and then excavation to begin for the new multi-tower, Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed condominium development, and their installation of construction hoarding around the project site is also a canvas for an art installation that hints at the neighbourhood’s bright future.

Site of Lakeside Residences (centre) before hoarding installation, image by Forum contributor Razz

 

A collaboration between Greenland Group and public art organization the PATCH Project, the installation features a work by Toronto-based muralist and designer Pam Lostracco, who went viral in recent years for her 2015 Mountain Mirage piece. Installed along the site’s perimeter hoarding, the piece known as ‘Reflections’ spans 375 feet and offers a glimpse at a future Toronto skyline with the new development incorporated into the mix.

Hoarding at Greenland’s Lakeside Residences, image courtesy of kg&a

 

Lostracco’s talents in photography and graphic design are combined in the mural, which also pays tribute to the area’s industrial heritage, including the Redpath Sugar Factory that continues to be a major employer in the mixed-use neighbourhood despite the exodus of surrounding industry. Located at 215 Lake Shore Boulevard East, the mural will be in place throughout the project’s construction. Lostracco’s work will live one beyond the hoarding, however, but in a reduced form: Greenland has commissioned Lostracco to create a smaller-scale aluminum replica for their corporate office.

Hoarding at Greenland’s Lakeside Residences, image courtesy of kg&a

 

Lakeside Residences’ site is the former location of a FedEx warehouse which was demolished last Fall. The imminent start of shoring work will mark the first move in constructing the initial three towers of 14, 39, and 49 storeys. Additional phases will follow to the west, with further details expected in the near future.

Additional information and images can be found in our Database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment below.

Livabl

lakeside_mural1

Greenland Group has partnered with the PATCH Project, a local social enterprise initiative that manages public art and urban development projects in the City of Toronto, to beautify the hoarding surrounding its Lakeside Residences site. PATCH connected Greenland with Toronto muralist and designer Pam Lostracco, best known for her 2015 Mountain Mirage piece, which became a viral social media sensation a few years ago and has since been replicated in thousands of wallpaper and tapestry designs.

lakeside_mural2

Combining her photography and graphic design skills, Lostracco created ‘Reflections,’ a 375-foot mural that gives passersby a glimpse of what the East Bayfront community will look like once completed. The art piece illustrates an exact reflection of the water seen at Toronto’s waterfront during various times of the day and pays homage to the city’s industrial past by incorporating the historic Redpath Sugar Factory. Lostracco uses warm tones, horizontal lines, peaks and curves to evoke a calming space that’s reminiscent of Mountain Mirage. The mural is located at 215 Lakeshore Blvd. East, and will be available to view and enjoy throughout the construction of the development.

Lakeside_fedex_land_skyline

When completed, Lakeside Residences will be a major component of the much-anticipated East Bayfront community, situated on former industrial lands along the shores of Lake Ontario. Like Reflections, the sail-shaped profile of the two main towers takes visual cues from the city’s lively waterfront, while the glass facade creates beautiful reflections of the lake and horizon.

LakeSide_Exterior

Architect Hariri Pontarini incorporated fritted glass balconies that taper and flare to illuminate the tower’s edge, giving them a strong presence and visual interest from all angles. At the base of the towers is an exterior courtyard designed as an urban backyard with an emphasis on walkability, leisure, parklands, and easy access to cafes and retail amenities.

LakeSide_LivingRoom

Suites boast bright, open-concept layouts with unobstructed views and modern features and finishes. Units facing north overlook Toronto’s famous skyline and downtown core, while those facing south indulge in picturesque views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto Islands.

Within the condominium itself, residents will have access to a thoughtfully developed selection of health, wellness and active living amenities. From a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a crescent-shaped infinity pool with a sundeck, to a party lounge with a kitchen and dining facilities, Lakeside Residences has something for all. Other amenities include a yoga and pilates studio, piano lounge, games room, kids’ lounge and a rooftop patio with barbecues, a fire pit, saunas, steam room and change rooms.

LakeSide_Exterior2020

Of course, living at Lakeside means you’ll be minutes away from all that downtown Toronto has to offer. The Financial District, Entertainment District, Scotiabank Theatre, Rogers Centre and the neighbouring Google Sidewalk Labs are all easily accessible by foot, bike or public transportation. The area is very walkable and great for cyclists with the waterfront boardwalk and the Martin Goodman Trail at its doorstep, along with the Don River Trail and Cherry Beach across the street. Plus, plans for restaurants, retail outlets, galleries, nightlife and sports facilities will add to the vibrancy of the neighbourhood.

To learn more about Lakeside Residences, visit Lakesidetoronto.com.

For more information, please call 416 968 9196 or email sales@lakesidetoronto.com.

Steven McLean, Residential, Real Estate News Exchange

China-based international developer Greenland Group expanded into Canada five years ago, and today its projects are a major component of Toronto’s rapidly transforming East Bayfront area.

IMAGE: The Lake Suite condos will be constructed by Greenland Group at Toronto's East Bayfront area. (Courtesy Greenland Group)

The Lake Suite condos will be constructed by Greenland Group at Toronto’s East Bayfront area. (Courtesy Greenland Group)

 

“East Bayfront is our long-term focus,” Greenland Group deputy director of construction and contract Liwen Deng told RENX. The company is about to break ground on Phase 1 of the project, which will ultimately consist of seven buildings.

“With all of the development in The Port Lands and East Bayfront, we want to ensure that this vibrant community continues to emulate the best of urban waterfront living and that it has an active part in bridging city and lake.”

Lakeside Residences is a 3.34-acre master-planned community at 215 Lake Shore Blvd. E., just west of Lower Sherbourne Street, which was formerly occupied by FedEx Corporation. It will include more than 1,800 residential units and more than 25,000 square feet of retail.

The 14-storey City Suites Building was the first to launch with an estimated June 2021 occupancy, followed by the 49-storey Park and Sky Building with an estimated July 2022 occupancy.

Greenland Group’s Lake Suites

Park and Sky is being followed by a 39-storey, 374-suite condo tower called Lake Suites.

Lake Suites will include one-bedroom, one-bedroom-plus-den, two-bedroom, two-bedroom-plus-den and three-bedroom designs. Prices start in the $700,000s.

Sales started earlier this year, with occupancy estimated for March of 2023.

Hoarding is about to go up and Phase I demolition and construction will start this fall.

Deng said July was a very busy sales month. Greenland Group just closed its presentation centre on Lake Shore and moved sales to an office at 493 Davenport Rd.

Lake Suites’ fourth-floor exterior amenities will include a putting green, a fireside lounge with seating, an outdoor barbecue and a dining area. Park and Sky will include an outdoor infinity pool with lounge and terrace areas atop its adjacent podium.

Hariri Pontarini Architects designed the buildings at Lakeside Residences. Landscape designer Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc.’s courtyard and other exterior spaces will highlight the development’s walkability, surrounding parkland and opportunities for leisure, cafes and retail experiences nearby.

East Bayfront

“The master-plan for the East Bayfront neighbourhood includes a network of pedestrian connections and pathways merging the city with the waterfront, and it is also a short streetcar ride to Toronto’s financial district,” said Deng.

“The area will become a true extension of the downtown core and this community will be part of what links the city to the water. The landscape will provide residents with a unique four-season environment woven into the master-planned design.”

Waterfront Toronto is overseeing the transformation of the East Bayfront area with investment from all levels of government and the private sector. Just a block away from Lakeside Residences, Canada’s first “smart cities” neighbourhood is being planned by Google sister company Sidewalk Labs.

Deng believes the smart cities neighbourhood will be good for the area.

“The future neighbourhood brings an aspect of modern living to Toronto that will help maintain Toronto’s trajectory as a leader in tech. Its impact on living and evolving better infrastructure will be a model for future development and we’re excited to see it become part of the community.

“We’re watching as consultations proceed to see how this will change East Bayfront.”

The next phase of Lakeside Residences is still in the planning stages.

Among other completed or under construction buildings nearby are:

Corus Quay, which houses Corus Entertainment and a George Brown College campus;

* the mixed-use Daniels Waterfront – City of the Arts;

Great Gulf’s Monde Condominiums;

Hines and Tridel‘s Aqualina at BaysideAquabella at Bayside and Aquavista at Bayside condos;

Waterfront Innovation Centre, a partnership between Menkes Developments and Alcion Ventures, in collaboration with Waterfront Toronto;

* and Menkes’ Sugar Wharf Condominiums.

Greenland Group’s King Blue

Greenland Group entered the Canadian market in 2014 when it bought King Blue, a mixed-use development at the historic Westinghouse site on Toronto’s King Street West at Blue Jays Way.

Towers of 48 and 44 storeys are nearing completion and will feature more than 900 condo suites, with occupancy to begin this fall. King Blue will also feature a theatre museum and Qube Hotel, which is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2020.

China-based Greenland Group is a company owned in part by the state, its employees and investors. It was founded in Shanghai in 1992. Greenland is one of the few developers in the world that’s part of the Global Fortune 500, with projects in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

“We are recognized worldwide for creating iconic landmark communities and vibrant neighbourhoods,” said Deng. “We take pride in our attention to detail, our use of only the best materials and choosing the best and most prime locations in every city.”

Paul Barker, Special to Postmedia Nework, Toronto Sun

Broccolini’s River & Fifth features a Baja-style pool (with lounge-style seating in the shallow end) and sun tanning deck with South Beach-inspired cabanas.

 

The condominium amenity upgrade movement is heating up as both developer and designers realize the need to provide an assortment of unique features and services is as important as the quality of the units themselves.

Perspective condo buyers today don’t want the gym that consists of three or four treadmills and an exercise bike or a patio and pool area that is sub-par at best, they want more, far more.

Two multi-storey projects currently under construction that reflect what is possible and what could soon become mainstream in terms of amenities are Montreal-based developer Broccolini’s River & Fifth and the Lake Suites, a Greenland Group (Canada) project, both of which are located in the city’s Downtown East district.

Dan Menchions, a partner at II by IV Design, the interior design firm at Lakeside, says he has seen a “considerable trend in the residential market that is giving more emphasis on incorporating features into condominium interiors.

“The East Bayfront neighbourhood where Lakeside is located, is poised to become a key live/work/play district in downtown Toronto. It will offer a mix of sustainable residential communities, state-of-the-art workplaces and renewed connections to the water and parklands, creating tranquility in a busy city. Everyone – people of all different ages and stages, including families will want to live here. The area is being planned to become a true extension of the downtown core.”

While interior amenities include a party room with dining, kitchenette, lounge, fireplace and games area, theatre and lounge space, fitness room and yoga/personal training studio, it’s the outdoor amenities that really reflect a changing trend.

Once built, there will be a rooftop swimming pool, putting green, outdoor dining and barbeque entertaining spaces and a fireside lounge.
“The rooftop putting green and pool are very different and unique in terms of amenities to complement downtown living,” says Menchions. “Being so close to the water provides an opportunity for residents to enjoy an outdoor recreational culture of the waterfront from the comfort of their own home.”

The importance of having unique amenities, he adds, can’t be overlooked.

“In the current market, expectations are so much higher than what they used to be. People want authenticity and quality. For Lakeside, we focused on using materials with natural qualities, inspired by the cityscape and surrounding waterscape. Colours derived from nature, such as warm woods, cool blues and accents of grey throughout, evoking the reflection of clouds on water.

“We are not designing for a particular trend here but for quality and longevity of the finished space and product. The aesthetic feels modern, but with classic detailing, which will uphold their style and remain visually significant for many, many years.”

There is, says Menchions, “always innovation happening in the design industry, and our job is to identify the best option for a particular project and client.”

Meanwhile, the 580-unit River & Fifth project being built by Montreal-based Broccolini, will contain upwards 25,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor amenity space, key among them being adjacent parkland on the southside of the development and a pedestrian connection to Bayview Ave. that leads to Corktown Commons and a co-working area.

There will also be a children’s game room and lounge, large fitness area with ballet bar and boxing gym and Baja-style pool.

“River and Fifth is on a unique site,” says Enzo Corazza, principal at Graziani + Corazza Architects. “You are slightly removed from the downtown core, on a quiet street that backs on to the Don River and Trail. This sparked the idea to bring a sense of the outdoors inside the building and integrate a natural park feel into the amenity spaces.”

Anthony Broccolini, COO of a development firm that built Montreal’s two tallest residential towers, says having common areas is a “great way” to build a sense of community

“You want people to be happy with their home and there is far more beyond the physical space of the condo unit itself. From a design point-of-view we want to give a community the opportunity to grow. There are certain ingredients that allow that to happen.

“When it comes to condo living, some units are big, some are small, but to have spaces throughout that you consider to be part of your home, you gain additional living space.”

An example of that is the co-working area, which he says, will be there to give residents an option. Instead of working at the kitchen table they can choose a more dynamic working environment that will also allow them to interact with others who live in the building.

Livabl

LakeSide_LivingRoom

After the successful launch of the first tower, Greenland Group Canada is introducing prospective homebuyers to Lake Suites, the second tower in the Lakeside master-planned community. When complete, Lakeside will transform Toronto’s East Bayfront into a 3.85 acre mixed-use community with seven towers, over 30,000 square feet of retail, urban parks and upwards of 2,000 new residential units with waterfront and city views.

Situated on the southwest corner of the site, Lake Suites boasts a modern design by internationally-renowned architecture firm Hariri Pontarini Architects. Together, the 39-storey tower and 49-storey first tower feature a bold design that pays homage to the waterfront location with sweeping lines that mimic the taper and flair of a sail in the wind. At street level, the landscape will provide residents with a unique four-season environment that connects seamlessly to the surrounding boardwalks, parklands, and trails of the East Bayfront neighbourhood.

LakeSuites_Exterior1

Poised to become a key live/work/play district in downtown Toronto, the community will also offer a variety of local amenities and educational facilities, including George Brown College’s waterfront campus. Well-connected to both public transit and major thoroughfares, the city’s Financial District is a short bus ride away, while the neighbouring Smart City proposal by Sidewalk Labs is expected to bring state-of-the-art workspaces and an additional 44,000 tech jobs to the area.

Designed by the award-winning II BY IV DESIGN, the interiors at Lake Suites are clean and contemporary, starting with an inviting lobby sculpted with natural materials such as marble and wood. The sleek lines and timeless design of the lobby extend throughout the public amenity spaces and private suites.

LakeSide_Exterior2

Residents of Lake Suites will have access to an abundance of hotel-inspired amenities from a rooftop swimming pool to a putting green. Other amenities make the most of the building’s lakeside location with al fresco dining spaces, barbecue entertaining areas and a fireside lounge complete with sweeping views of Lake Ontario.

Priced from the mid $600,000s, available suites consist of one-bedroom to three-bedroom layouts including units with unobstructed views of the lake and the Toronto Islands. Floorplans are bright and open with lots of natural light, functional living rooms, and kitchens with plenty of entertaining and storage space.

To learn more about Lake Suites, be sure to register online for priority access at lakesidetoronto.com and visit the sales centre located at 493 Davenport Road. Hours are Monday to Thursday from 12pm to 6pm and weekends from 12pm to 5pm.

For more information, call 416 366 8802 or email sales@lakesidetoronto.com.

National Post

Lake Suites, nestled between Toronto’s downtown core and shore, promises to be a residential oasis in a developing area

A kitchen with a view

As Toronto’s waterfront undergoes a long awaited revitalization, there’s hope the city will create a beautiful area for everyone to enjoy.

With 800 hectares (1,977 acres) being re-imagined it’s one of the largest waterfront revitalization efforts in the world and expected to take about 25 years to complete. But, not everyone will have to wait that long.

People are expected to be moving in to Lake Suites, a 39-storey tower on Lake Ontario in the East Bayfront neighbourhood, by March 2023. Currently in registration, the condos are the latest offering in Greenland Group’s Lakeside Residences.

“This location and this piece of land is like a trophy for us,” Charlene Sun, Greenland’s sales and marketing manager, says of the property on the southwest corner of Lakeshore Boulevard East and Lower Sherbourne.

Greenland has 1.6 hectares (four acres) in total at the site, which it’s planning to develop in two phases. Lake Suites is the third and final building of the first phase, made up of 1,100 condos.

The 14-storey City Suites building (sold out) and the 49-storey building (with a limited number of condos, called Park Suites and Sky Suites, still available) are scheduled for occupancy in September 2022.

Lake Suites, with about 300 condos, is closest to the water and will offer some of the best panoramas.

“It will have phenomenal, unobstructed lake views,” Sun says, adding the city views will also be great.

The condos have been designed to offer residents great views of the city and the lake.

The one- to three-bedroom condos range in size from 536- to 1,100-square feet. And some of the one- and two-bedroom units are available with dens. The condos are priced from $700,000 to $1.5 million.

“This project has a great location, not only because it’s by the lake, but it also has Sherbourne Common Park beside it and Sugar Beach,” Sun says. “It’s a very peaceful, family-friendly environment, but at the same time you have the convenience of urban life.”

Lakeside Residences has walk, bike and transit scores of 93 — meaning everything from retail to entertainment is nearby. As too are about 30 hectares of parks and public spaces.

Hariri Pontarini Architects (HPA) is building the condo with a sail motive that will feature sparkling, angled glass, says Zachary Koa, Greenland’s sales and marketing co-ordinator.

And II By IV is doing the interiors in a contemporary fashion with organic, neutral colours. Landscaping will be done by Janet Rosenberg & Studio.

Residents can expect a high-quality approach to the development, similar to the company’s work elsewhere, Koa says.

Shanghai-based Greenland has operations in nine countries including Australia, the United Kingdom and South Korea. And the company is currently working on two mixed-use buildings in China — one in Wuhan and one in Dalian — that at 636 metres and 500 metres respectively will be among the 10 tallest in the world.

In Canada, Greenland is also behind King Blue Condos, a 48- and 44-storey development, by King West and Blue Jays Way. Those towers, built to complement the entertainment district neighbourhood, are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

However, Lakeside’s ambiance will be more reflective of its recreational setting on the water, by parks, promenades and beach.

The 120-metre tall Lake Suites are expected to appeal to both young professionals and families. Market Lane Junior & Senior School is just a 10-minute walk north.

The financial district is also conveniently nearby and, in the coming years, many people will be able to work even closer to home.

Unilever, the Port Lands and Google’s Sidewalk Labs are all planning developments in the neighbourhood.

“With the commercial developments it will really be bustling and there will be a lot of new jobs,” Koa says. “It will be like a second downtown.”

Although the community will grow, the idea is that it will balance green space and the water with commercial areas.

Lake Suites will boast of a rooftop terrace with barbecues, dining and lounge areas, as well as a mini-put for golf enthusiasts. Inside, it will have a fitness centre, a party room and an indoor children’s play room.

In addition, residents will be able to use the outdoor pool, which is being built to accompany the first two condo towers.

“This neighbourhood is all brand new,” Sun says. “The future potential is phenomenal and we love being a part of it.”

The sales office is located at 215 Lakeshore Blvd. East, and is open Monday to Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. and on the weekends from noon to 5 p.m. Call 416-366-8802, or visit lakesidetoronto.com.

The condo will be very close to Lake Ontario.

 

YOU ARE HERE:

  • The waterfront is on the doorstep. It couldn’t be easier to make the most of Lake Ontario. Being steps from Sugar Beach and a short walk from the Harbourfront Centre means residents will be able to chill by the water, or take in some culture. Plus, they could hop onto a ferry and be whisked to Toronto Island in no time.
  • Sport fans can go crazy. Feel like cheering on the home teams? Take your pick… Scotiabank Arena is about a 20-minute walk, or a 10-minute transit ride away. Whether you love Canada’s national sport and want to support the Maple Leafs, or you’re among the growing number of basketball fans rooting for the Raptors, there’s often a match on. Even the National Lacrosse League plays here.
  • Foodie favourites are nearby. St. Lawrence Market is a mere 10-minute walk. There’s been a farmers market here since 1803 and the tradition continues. If you’re looking for fresh produce, a special ingredient or yummy baked goods the market’s got you covered. And if you just want to pick up a few things and forget about cooking there are plenty of restos and cafes in the hood.