I have been following loosely this thread and about the issue of the blinds.
In the National Post today, there is an article that should be of interest to you in the Post Homes section.
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Sherbourne+identity/4266418/story.html
Strip clubs, bed bugs, and homelessness loom over Sherbourne Street. Of all locations in Toronto to build a sleek, mostly glass condo complex, Sherbourne is certainly not a dream locale for most real estate developers — but the visionaries at Times Group Corp. have embraced the challenge. Their newest architectural punctuation mark, The 500 Condos & Lofts (where Wellesley Central Hospital was) has already begun transforming the area, making its sordid reputation a thing of the past.
“We are bringing new energy to Bloor’s east end,” says Saeid B. Aghaei, a principal manager of the Times Group. “During the past two years of building, the whole landscape has changed.”
Mr. Aghaei says the condo towers have attracted new businesses to the area, as well as young professionals and their families. “Sherbourne [has evolved] in terms of high-end residential spaces,” he enthuses. “People forget how close it is to everything — the downtown business core, the entertainment district, U of T, Ryerson — even the National Ballet.”
The 500 greets Torontonians with a combo of luxurious living and affordability. (Suites are 837 square feet to 1,360 sq. ft., and $390,000 to $668,000.) From the entrance, the lobby is a gateway of elegance and style. Here, 25-foot ceilings feature walnut wood panels, linen-embossed tiles, and an 18-ft. cascading water wall. It’s a haven from the city bustle.
“The total effect is warmth,” says Renato Iamonaco, an interior designer with Times and consultant with Sector Designs. “It’s like you’ve arrived home.” (A home with a concierge service available to tenants 24 hours a day.)
Tucked around the corner, is the private residents’ 500 Lounge with a gas fireplace, bar and dining room. But owners will probably prefer to host friends on the fifth-floor rooftop garden, with its spectacular city views, a second water wall and dramatic fireplace. Outfitted with contemporary furniture, the rooftop’s ambiance is neutral enough to be transformed into a club-like setting by candlelight or function as a place for a family barbecue (several gas barbecues are available to tenants).
Architect Paul Northgrave prioritized social spaces, constructing the entire complex to function as more of a community than a series of austere condo units. Of course, there’s the requisite state-of-the-art gym, a yoga and aerobics studio, his-and-hers steamrooms, a giant home theatre with large-screen TV and surround-sound, conference rooms, and best of all — a billiards room.
Mr. Iamonaco highlights this room as one of his favourites: “We used a graphic wallpaper imported from Belgium,” he says, “And a kind of contemporary disco light.” Floor coverings in the games room also feature carpet tiles with a graphic print. It’s this interplay between old and new that, he says, makes the place feel dynamic.
But Mr. Iamonaco is most proud of the diversity of design between common rooms. “I didn’t want tenants to feel like they were in the same building wherever they went,” he explains. “So I built distinct aesthetics in each social place.”
The movie theatre, for example, cocoons its audience with dark wood panels embossed with a pattern of fallen twigs. Coated with a high-gloss chocolate brown paint, the room is virtually black. With 3-D TV and a user-friendly interface, Mr. Iamonaco says it’s one of the only rooms that remains completely booked. It’s perfect for an evening of Disney or the Friday night UFC fight.
As for the suites, Mr. Iamonaco describes them as “contemporary with a classic feel.” Showcasing views of the Rosedale Valley, Lake Ontario and the CN Tower, each suite’s standard features include smooth ceilings, stainless steel appliances, and granite or quartz countertops. [B
]Purchasers also receive window coverings for no extra charge, [/B
]saving potentially upwards of $10,000 depending on size. However, even the smaller units seem larger because of the nine-, 10 or sometimes 11-ft. ceiling heights.
A feature of the streamlined kitchens — some open with optional island and others more conventionally L-shaped — is the use of flat-panelled, melamine cabinetry. Mr. Iamonaco insists this material is the most practical on the market in terms of cleanliness and maintenance. “Melamine has come a long way from even two years ago, in the same way that laminate flooring no longer appears as fake as it did when it first appeared on the market,” he says. “Melamine can match a piece of wood down to the actual grain pattern.” Most condo owners opt for an espresso stain, but a lighter oak hue is also available, with options to upgrade.
But more impressive than The 500 Condos’ interior design is its attention to the needs and philosophical ideals of inner city tenants. The foresight to include lots of bike storage lockers, for example, and the desire to design with eco-friendly planning should be a model for future condo developers. The installation of individual electric meters, the use of low-emission carpets and paints, low-flow chrome bath and shower faucets and energy-efficient thermal window systems are easy on the wallet and the environment. The structure also makes garbage sorting a breeze with a separate recyclable waste disposal system.
While pondering one’s relation to the environment, take a stroll through the neighbouring park where a one-acre formation of fruit trees marks the spot of a once-flourishing orchard. With a home as conveniently located as The 500, you may never actually ever have to drive a car again.
I HAVE BOLDED THE INTERESTING PART. THERE MAY BE MORE BUT GIVEN WHAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN ON THIS THREAD, MAYBE THE BUILDER HAS HOPEFULLY REALIZED THE ERROR IN CHARGING FOR STUFF PUT IN WHICH I BELIEVE WOULD BE CONSIDERED FIXTURES.
