We like to talk about Toronto's suburban areas, mostly built up in the 1960s through 1980s, as a sea of single family homes, and for the most part—as with the majority of other Northern American metro areas—they are. Unlike many other metros on this continent though, Toronto's suburbs have always come with a good helping of multi-storey apartment buildings as well. Usually located on arterial or collector roads, our apartment stock was mostly built in "tower in the park" style, with the buildings rising from amidst vast lawns and surface parking lots.

Our thinking on this style of development has changed. The vast green spaces were often barely used, adding nothing to community life, while retail was suddenly too far to walk to. We understand the value of density better now, along the with importance of creating streets aimed more at pedestrians and cyclists, and not simply at the private automobile. We also understand that development along transit lines benefits the new residents at the micro level and taxpayers across the city at the macro level.

Close-up on Cloud9 Condominiums, image courtesy of Lash Group of Companies

While we are looking at a whole neighbourhood-sized transformation of such an area in another article on UrbanToronto today, at the same time, a more intimately scaled intensification project is taking place kilometres across the city to the west. Cloud9 Condominiums in northern Etobicoke represents a major step in the right direction for smaller tower-in-the-park developments.

The 12-storey boutique-style building at the northwest corner of Kipling Avenue and Esther Lorrie Drive is being built nestled up alongside both roads, on space that once served as a vast under-utilized lawn for two 7-storey apartment buildings. Those existing buildings sit above the West Humber River valley, part of Toronto's extensive ravine park system, which defines the northern and western edges of the property here. While improvements to the existing rental buildings are under way, ground-breaking for Cloud9 Condominiums took place this week.

Executives with the Lash Group and Carttera Private Equities turn the ceremonial first shovels, image by Nicola Betts

Digging in at the Cloud9 ground-breaking were Paul Meecham, Carttera Private Equities Inc; President Larry Blankenstein, Sales and Marketing Manager Heather Hamilton; and Vice President of Construction Serge Mazzuca, from Lash Group of Companies.  

So, while UrbanToronto lies to talk about urban conditions and intensification, what will Cloud9 offer?

The welcome addition of this new condominium will not suddenly transform this neighbourhood into downtown: Cloud9 will still offer plenty of surrounding green space. The property—as noted above—rests above the West Humber River, and it will always be there, giving residents fast access to the countless miles of ravine park bicycle trails and walking paths that knit their way through this metropolis. While Humber College's main campus is a short bike ride away along the river to the west, you can get there by bus too, without even transferring. Most TTC buses, right outside the door, head straight to the subway, either to Kipling station on the Bloor line or Wilson station on the Spadina line. If you're driving, you're close to Pearson Airport, lots of shopping, and major highways.

The indoor/outdoor pool at Cloud9, image courtesy of Lash Group of Companies

The building sports a modern design by Richmond Architects, while Tanner Hill Associates are responsible for the well laid-out suites and inviting amenities. Residents will appreciate year-round an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, along with fully-equipped fitness facilities, an outdoor terrace with barbecues and lounge seating, and an al fresco kitchen and rooftop fireplace.

A number of suites remain remain available. Suburban land prices mean that one-bedroom, one-plus-den, two-bedroom and two-plus-den layouts are affordable, starting from the low $200s—and that price includes parking and a locker!   

Over five decades, the Lash Group of Companies has developed more than 5,500 homes throughout the GTA and Florida, as well millions of square feet in the industrial and commercial sectors. They have significantly contributed to the revitalization of the St. Clair West strip near Bathurst Street with projects that include 500 St. Clair West, 530 St. Clair West, and the Rushton, while Downtown their portfolio also encompasses The Fashion District Lofts at Bathurst and Adelaide.

They are now bringing their expertise to Scarborough at "ME" and Cloud9 in Etobicoke. You can get more information on this project, and ME, from the UrbanToronto dataBase files, linked below. Want to talk about it? Choose one of the associated Forum thread links, or leave your comment in the space provided on this page.