The continued housing boom has brought about tremendous change in Downtown Toronto, but suburban areas in North York, Etobicoke and Scarborough are seeing profound growth as well. In Scarborough, Kingston Road serves as a retail, cultural and pedestrian strip while also acting as a major vehicular artery. These are only some of the reasons why Kingston Road is set to see some major changes over the next few years; changes like Kingston&Co Condominiums, a 10-storey Teeple Architects-designed condo development from TAS, Main and Main Developments and First Capital Realty. Just launched, Kingston&Co is coming to Kingston Road just east of Victoria Park Avenue. 

Rendering of Kingston&Co. Condominiums, image courtesy of TAS

Kingston&Co aims to differentiate itself from other condominium projects on the market in an unorthodox yet entirely clever manner. The project's website takes the form of a dynamic public blogging platform that highlights top-of-mind topics when considering the condo market, covering concerns ranging from fluctuating maintenance fees to the future of the housing market. In a world where condominium launches are increasingly aimed at educated investors, Kingston&Co reaches out to end user buyers who may still have some hesitation about purchasing into a new condominium development. The website is organized in a Q&A format with insightful responses from leading experts in various disciplines, TAS, and even past purchasers. In addition, the site allows visitors to share their own comments, allowing for an open dialogue with the project's team. The "Co" in Kingston&Co. stands for community as opposed to company, and the end-user oriented launch is a good sign that this development will live up to its name.

Mazyar Mortazavi, President & CEO of TAS explained the company's motivation for the new approach. "From the distaste for developers who make empty promises with magazine cover sales offices, to the hidden condo fees that feel like they defined the whole notion of 'fine' print, to concerns over uncertainty in the real estate market, we know people have reservations about the condominium market. As part of TAS's corporate culture of transparency and community engagement, we want to participate in meaningful conversations that bring these concerns to the forefront and facilitate a transparent buying process for our registrants."

Rendering of Kingston&Co. Condominiums' east side, image courtesy of TAS

With the launch of Kingston&Co, TAS is also unveiling a new concierge program that allows registrants to engage in one-on-one conversations with the TAS team in advance of the opening of the Kingston&Co presentation centre. This will provide prospective buyers—especially first time home purchasers—with guidance through the sales process while catering to their unique needs and concerns.

Mortazavi added, "We predict that many of the Kingston&Co buyers will be purchasing a unit for the first time, whether that be young families or downsizing homeowners. Our engagement strategy, both online and offline, has been created with these people in mind. We want to ease the tremendous process of purchasing a new home."

The Teeple Architects-designed building will rise eight storeys before stepping up to ten on the west side. Precast concrete pilasters will create patterns of shadows over the southern façade of single and double-width balconies, while the north side will step down with each tier. South side balconies are to feature coloured panels located on the interior façades, and offer views of Lake Ontario from the eighth floor upwards. The north side of the building will feature private terraces outfitted with planters, and featuring panoramic views of the city. Kingston&Co will contain 150 residential units ranging from 407 to 1,439 square feet, half of which have their own unique floor plans.  

Rendering of Kingston&Co. Condominiums' west side, image courtesy of TAS

Toronto firm Mason Studio is handling the interior design of the suites and amenity spaces, which include a gym, yoga room, workshop and tool room, as well as indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces. A landscaped rooftop community garden will offer homeowners the opportunity grow produce without the added cost associated with owning a yard.

Kingston&Co is expected to break ground in early 2015 and occupancy for the project is slated for early 2017. The presentation centre, designed by Mason Studio and located directly across from the project site, launches this May for private appointments, followed by a public opening in June.

For additional information and renderings, visit the Kingston&Co dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or speak up using the comments section provided at the bottom of this page.