As Toronto's high-rise building boom continues at an unprecedented pace, the city's predominantly business-oriented Downtown has rapidly transformed into an attractive and highly desirable place to live and play as well. In recent years, the strong demand for Downtown housing has spread to include students as well as younger professionals, with the neighbourhood surrounding Ryerson University becoming a prime area for new high-rise developments.

Grid Condos, image courtesy of CentreCourt Developments

While the area has witnessed an overall surge in demand in recent years, becoming a highly desirable place to live for many Torontonians, the student population represents a recently identified under-serviced segment of the market for high-rise development. Capitalizing on this demand, CentreCourt's 47-storey Grid Condos is set to bring student amenities and new housing catered towards the growing university's student population. Although Ryerson is one of the fastest growing Universities in Canada, the school faces a relative shortage of student housing, while demand reaches record highs.

Aerial view of Grid Condos, image courtesy of CentreCourt Developments

The site for Grid Condos, located across from the future Ryerson Sciences Building, with the upcoming MLSE Sport for Development Centre immediately to the north, is directly at the heart of Ryerson's new 'Learning District' neighbourhood, where the demand for student housing is becoming particularly high.

The Grid Learning Centre, image courtesy of CentreCourt Developments

The 528-unit, Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects-designed building will offer Ryerson students a very quick commute, which should prove a boon to the time-conscious demographic group. In addition, the student-friendly building will feature a 6,000 square foot study space on the second floor of the podium called The Grid Learning Centre. Equipped with high-speed internet as well as printing and photocopying facilities, the Learning Centre (above) will provide students valuable study space near the increasingly crowded campus.  

A rendering of the lobby, image courtesy of CentreCourt Developments

In addition to the unique study space, The Grid's amenities, by ESQAPE Design, include a 3,000 square foot gym, as well as 5,000 square feet of outdoor space, and a 24-hour concierge (above). The podium will also feature guest suites, a party room, and ground level retail, rounding out a comprehensive selection of amenities. Meanwhile, in the tower above, the 528 units will be divided between one and two-bedroom suites, ranging in size from 415 to 640 square feet, reflecting student demand.

For more information about Grid Condos, visit the dataBase file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.

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