Backyard Neighbourhood Condos, a redevelopment of a former plaza site in Etobicoke's Stonegate neighbourhood, has been a quick success story for the Vandyk Group of Companies. Despite a cold and rainy opening weekend—and even having to contend with difficult traffic because of the Gardiner Expressway maintenance closure—the first phase of the Kohn Partnership Architects-designed mid-rise development has quickly realized sales of 85% of its units.

Backyard's Condo Shoppe can be found on The Queensway west of Park Lawn Rd, image by Craig White

Vandyk was prepared for the weather with a tent, dj, and a barbecue lunch provided for registrants from the website who showed up for a first chance at purchasing, one as early as 2 AM on Saturday! Of the 96 suites offered in The Humberside—the first phase at the three-building development—all 2 bedroom and 2 bedroom plus den units have now sold out.

Purchasers enjoyed a lunch and dj on the opening weekend, image by Craig White

Just about a dozen 1 bedroom and 1 bedroom and den suites remain available in the building. Tucked away in a quiet residential area north of The Queensway and south of Bloor Street, Backyard Neighbourhood is along the Humber Bike Trail route, a short drive from the Gardiner Expressway, and a 10-minute bus ride to the subway, or 5 minutes to the Humber Loop.

Purchasers snapped up 85% of the suites in the first two days at Backyard, image by Craig White

To be built in advance of the first residential building is a two-storey "Shoppes at Stonegate" commercial building done in a brick warehouse style. With a new home to the Stonegate Community Health Centre on the top floor, at ground level the building will offer a range of retailers to include offerings like a café, a salon, and a food coop which will specialize in organic, sustainable offerings from local farmers.

Phase 1 of Backyard features along with the commercial building and park on the scale model, image by Craig White 

Inside the Condo Shoppe for Backyard Neighbourhood Condos, image by Craig White

John C. Vandyk, President & CEO of VANDYK group of companies, summed up the opening declaring “Despite the rainy weather, hundreds of people came out. It was a tremendous success and we are humbled and excited to say that The Humberside is 85% sold after opening weekend. We were also overwhelmed by the support and number of buyers from the local area who know and love this neighbourhood.”

Inside the Condo Shoppe for Backyard Neighbourhood Condos, image by Craig White

A selection of 1 bedroom and 1 bedroom and den suites remain available in The Humberside. The sales office is now open on a regular basis for those interested in snapping up the last suites. For more information about the development including renderings, stats, and sales centre location and hours, check out our dataBase file for Backyard, linked below. Want to get in on the conversation? You can join in on the discussion in our associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.