Well, what I mean by being expensive is that developers who pick the best materials, hire the best architects, hire the best contractors to do the job will all add up to the price. Quality doesn't come without money.
I can say Shangri-la will probably be very well built, very high class, very good designer and materials. The location is great too. But they are also selling at $1000 psf. On the other hand, there may be some developers who will charge you an arm and a leg, but quality is average. Location is great and that is probably what they're charging you for and not so much the quality of materials and build. I think most important is to find the best quality for the best price which may fall in the middle category.
I sometimes wonder if the construction builders (PCL, Ellisdon, etc) who hire the contractors are more the variable than the developer themselves. Materials are chosen by the developer I think? But workmanship is controlled by who the builders get as sub contractors.