Response to Norstar representative
..I have been following this site as a non active participant for quite some time; perhaps a number of other home owners have been as well. I have now decided to sign in and bring forward some of my views.
Responding to the Norstar representative regarding the only water issue left to address (within the common areas) is the garage. I am sorry to say the garage is not the only one left to correct, although a colossal one. If not fixed properly within a timely manner salt from the above driveway will filter through the concrete and the concrete over time will deteriorate and crumble. The leaks will expand considerably making it unsafe and a very costly repair to the home owners.
When it rains around the cornice or donut surrounding the outside circumference of the party room every 3 to 4 feet, water runs off from the concrete ceiling to the floor exactly at the intersection of the glass panels above.
Outside the party room (south east side) when it rains water pools and creates a small pond; this eventually can create a leak to owners located on the 6th floor as water has a tendency to find a way to filter down ward.
A mechanical apparatus located @ level marked floor 8, stair B, water is visible since the unit is not sealed properly (perforation to the outside is visible).
Regarding doors- the library door (east side) does not close properly, currently wind blows through. With winter season soon upon us snow will get in and heat will escape causing our maintenance fees to increase to cover the additional charges.
The side door next to the front door- anyone can enter the building since it is unlocked; a solution would be having the door open only with a fob.
The last time a checked one of the doors from the garage entrance to the elevators does not close properly. Not sure is this door had been fixed yet.
Regarding the carpers – Everyone who has commented are correct in stating some owners and or renters are very sloppy and do not take pride of the place they call “homeâ€. Garbage, drinks, and leaving their children to run free and damage the property is something that can not be controlled at the present time. However, once the board of directors is formed, hopefully rules and regulations can be put in place.
Having said that, the present superintendant hired by Norstar is aware of some of these offenders and as part of their job since we all pay their salaries via maintenance fees should be to addressing these issues within a timely manner.
Large part of the soiled carpets fall under Norstar responsibility as the carpets (of very low quality I may add) were installed when construction was still going and all different types of trades were tramping through out the building/floors with dirty boots, construction tools, plants, wheelbarrows etc without much care (especially by the elevator entrances going up and down) doing their daily jobs. The carpets have since been cleaned however, due to extreme state of dirt that they were in, the stains are still very visible especially in front of the elevators and they need to be cleaned again till they are restored to a clean state. The lobby carpet runners are not very appealing either (the ends were glued down). They are fraying and falling apart while simultaneously an eye soar as they appear very messy given a very bad first impression when you enter the lobby.
The baseboards/wallpaper at the entrance (1st floor and 7th floor) as well as other floors, were damaged by the trade personnel bringing construction material, plants, dirt, wheel barrows etc. and they are in need of repair and paint.
Party room colums
In need of completion.
Norstar sales representative (Mike) used the “His and Hers†Sauna as a selling feature (although not stated in our purchase and sales agreement) and did not come to fruition. However, it was advertised again in an article by Mitch Markowitz, director of sales and marketing for Norstar (see add) as part of the amenities. I would like to know as well as the rest of the owners since the saunas are missing if:
1) Norstar is going to install them?
2) If this is not to feasible, what type of compensation are we going to receive?
If I may put forth a suggestion –tear out the sub standard carpet and replace all high traffic areas with tiles- mirror the entrance lobby i.e. in from of the elevators high traffic areas.
See advertisement from Norstar regarding amenities (steam baths)
ST. CLAIR AND WARDEN
Cutting out the 'fancy-schmancy' amenities
February 7, 2009
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AMY BROWN-BOWERS
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
The name of Norstar's latest development, Wilshire On The Green, represents many of the condominium's selling points.
The seven-storey building contains environmentally friendly construction components, its external elevation is entirely of green-tinted glass, it's built on a ravine system and it is located directly on the Bloor-Danforth subway route.
Recently launched Phase 2 is comprised of the final 98 units in the building, which will be located northwest of St. Clair and Warden Aves. at 60 Fairfax Cres. Phase 1 includes 100 suites and was launched late spring 2008. Units range from one-bedrooms with about 530 square feet, to three-bedrooms with about 1,100 square feet and prices go from $169,900 to $350,000. Estimated occupancy for both phases is spring 2010.
"One of the keys to the success ... is the location," says Mitch Markowitz, director of sales and marketing for Norstar Development, adding, "We're the kind of builder that likes to build on the TTC with a bus at the door. And this, as Emeril Lagasse would say, kicked it up a notch because it's not just the bus, it's the subway."
The development was designed to fit aesthetically into the surrounding residential neighbourhood, hence the midrise elevation.
"We felt that we could have gotten zoned for 18 to 20 floors but the building wouldn't have fit nicely into the neighbourhood. Seven storeys is a nice fit," Markowitz says, adding, "The public who came in loved the look of the building – they loved that it wasn't a highrise."
Being located in a well-established community, "all the infrastructure is all there, the TTC is there, the churches, the schools, the shopping," Markowitz says, adding: "Everything is within a five-minute walk."
Also in the immediate area is a ravine system that extends south to the lake.
"This is one of the last bastions of green in Scarborough," Markowitz says. "There's a huge ravine just south of us and one can, if one wanted to, walk from there all the way to Lake Ontario," he adds.
Focus group research indicated that potential buyers were much more concerned with low maintenance fees than splashy amenities, hence the pared-down offerings, which will include: "a small but elegant lobby area," a party room, an exercise room and spa area with steam baths and change rooms for both men and women, and a landscaped rooftop terrace.
Cutting out "fancy-schmancy, splashy amenities" means maintenance fees will be about half of comparable projects at roughly 24 cents per square foot, Markowitz says. Unit features include imported ceramic tiles, oversized balconies, an in-suite entraphone system, and glass French dining room doors as per plans.
Toronto-Dominion Bank is offering buyers a 1 per cent discount off the standard posted mortgage and Norstar is offering a rebate equal to a 2 per cent discount on their mortgage. For a limited time, units will include a free underground parking spot and storage locker, granite countertops, flooring resembling hardwood in the living room and dining room, and stainless steel appliances.
For information, call 416-285-0555.
Toronto Star
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