Pinch Me Penthouse
*Coming Soon, mid-June, 2010*
*Now featured in the NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/greathomesanddestinations/17gh-househunting.html
Do you have a list of domestic wishes and desires that, by virtue of their fantastical uniqueness, have been declared by 'those in the know' as extremely rare to find, especially when your objective is to find them all under one roof? As the city's original pioneers in the sales, marketing and development of Innovative Spaces over the past 17 years, we experience first hand the challenge in finding those one-of-a-kind properties that are not only worthy of descriptives far more enriching than the ubiquitous 'upgraded' or occasional 'original model suite', but are truly deserving of the "so dreamy we keep pinching ourselves" superlative. These are the properties that come to market few and far between, and if you pause too long to act you may very well not see something like it for a long time.
So what are your domestic wishes and desires? Do you envision yourself living in a crisp contemporary modern loft? You already know the city has a fairly limited pool of available quality product, especially given you want to be in the very centre of the City, but it can't be just any loft because you really want some outdoor space...and not one of those tiny balconies that are only good for checking the weather but something expansive where you can host dinner parties, or maybe even throw that cocktail party or wine tasting you've always been meaning to do. And, of course, the opportunity to barbecue is essential to indulge your passion for entertaining, even though the City's fire codes are so restrictive it's nearly impossible to find, and don't forget there should be enough sun-drenched space to grow those fresh herbs that make your culinary skills shine. And, well, now that you're dreaming, maybe the terrace is surrounded by the twinkling lights of the City and your friends are drinking champagne looking at you like you've just won the lottery because you're so darned lucky. Geez, you sigh dreamily, knowing by now that you might actually have to win the lottery in order to get a place that spectacular but, allowing yourself one final indulgent wish that would make it so impossibly dreamy you'd have to pinch yourself...it would have a front row centre seat of the evening CN Tower light show....
For those who crave a concrete 'n cool modern loft in the heart of the city, nothing beats living in District Lofts on Richmond Street West. Completed in 2001 by Context Developments and designed by Architects Alliance, this fourteen storey high 148 unit U-shaped twin-tower condominium won numerous awards for its cutting edge styling and urban design. Arranged as two narrow slabs perched atop a base that features retail at grade plus two levels of parking, followed by single level lofts and the exercise and party room amenity spaces, the remaining tower lofts are all two-storey through units with corridors on every second level facing into the courtyard. Featuring rows of cantilevered balconies on both the north and south side, monopitch roofs sloping toward the interior courtyard, and four exterior bridges linking the two slabs as part of the fire exiting system, District Lofts represents a distilled essence in contemporary living.
Located in the central west quadrant of the city centre on the north west corner of Richmond Street West and Spadina Avenue, 388 Richmond Street West is a quick streetcar ride to the financial core or University of Toronto, a short stroll to hip King and Queen West for shopping or delectable dining, and moments to the Gardiner Expressway providing speedy access to the airport or cottage country. In proximity to the Theatre District, Scotiabank Cinema, Harbourfront, and the Rogers Centre, and around the corner from some of the City's finest restaurants, this is truly living in the centre of it all.
This top floor loft is 1 of only 12 one-of-a-kind penthouses in the complex. Fourteen floors high, the penthouses are set back on the thirteenth level to provide expansive outdoor terraces. These premiere two-storey slices feature a sloped roof and both north and south exposures, resulting in a dynamic concrete and glass cube envelope with ceiling heights up to around twelve feet topped by a skylight.
Being around 1700 square feet of interior space plus over 300 square feet of sun drenched outdoor living, resulting in 2000+ square feet of space offers an unparallel opportunity extremely rare to find. On the loft's first level, the entry opens into a gracious reception room with a double closet, a spacious laundry / storage room, a well-proportioned cityvista second bedroom with custom built-in desk and shelving, a calibre three-piece washroom and a stunning master bedroom suite. This indulgent private sanctuary with generous ensuite washroom and extensive custom walk-in closet features a gas fireplace with elegant mantle and enormous south-facing fenestration. It's a dreamy place for Sunday slumbers.
Up the maple tread stairs; the open concept entertainment area is a spectacular marriage of light, space and volume. Boasting expansive floor-to-ceiling windows on two exposures, maple floors and soaring ceilings, this jaw-dropping airy space is a superb setting for your collection of furnishings and art, along with a significant custom media centre with flat screen television and luxe gas fireplace. The open concept yet defined maple cabinet kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances (and hard to find gas cooking!) and substantial island keeps you front and centre with your guests, making entertaining a truly social affair. In addition, there's a private two-piece washroom nestled in the northwest corner.
The substantial terrace featured in Canada Home & Garden is accessed through two pairs of sliding glass doors is sun-drenched from dawn through the late afternoon, until the sun arcs over to the northwest taking the heat off making it the best exposure for evening entertaining. Featuring two lounge areas and custom landscaping including a nod to the 'Canadian shield', this terrace with gas barbecue line is all about Bright Lights Big City with its spectacular twinkling post-card city vista featuring the high-rises of the financial district and the light-show of the CN Tower. It's perfect for stargazing cocktails or afternoon relaxation with a pot of coffee and a stack of books. Reclining on the lounger feels a bit like being deck-side on an ocean-liner, arriving at your port of calling.
Having reasonable common fees, one car underground parking and separately deeded locker, this panoramic penthouse loft is uniquely unparalleled and impossible to replicate. This will become the next Dream Home for only one fortunate buyer. Could it be you?
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