Press Release: A NEW VISION FOR ST. NICHOLAS STREET
FIVE – Condos at 5 St. Joseph Restores a Historic Street
The new mixed-use development FIVE – Condos at 5 St. Joseph is gaining attention from architectural critics, the downtown business community, city planners and the condominium-buying public for its commitment to restore almost half a block of historically significant buildings on Yonge Street between Wellesley and St. Joseph Streets. This much-needed rejuvenation is being heralded as a new future for Toronto’s main street.
Five St. Joseph Developments Ltd. (a joint venture between MOD Developments Inc. and Graywood Developments Ltd.) has created a new rendering illustrating that this rejuvenation is not limited to Yonge Street, but will also encompass one of downtown’s most charming streets, St. Nicholas. The rendering of the St. Nicolas Street side of the building shows how attractive the street will be when it is completed. Running between Wellesley and St. Joseph Streets, the narrow cobble-stoned section flanking the FIVE site has always been a unique by-way in the neighbourhood. Lined by brick warehouses, it has an ambience reminiscent of older areas of New York or London.
The spirit of the past is being kept alive in the innovative design by David Pontarini of Hariri Pontarini Architects, who is melding the old with the new in a unique blend of contemporary and traditional architecture. The design incorporates components of the existing heritage architecture for both the residential lofts and retail spaces that are undergoing a restoration by ERA Architects.
On St. Joseph Street, the 1905 Gothic-revival façade of the old Rawlinson warehouse will be meticulously restored and will serve as the front façade of the new 45-storey residential tower that will rise above it. On St. Nicolas Street, Mr. Pontarini has designed a new brick and stone façade inspired by the past, complete with large loft-style windows, some with the same Gothic-revival shapes found in the St. Joseph façade. Within this volume are three floors of unique residential lofts, with ceiling heights up to 10’ - perhaps the only loft project in central downtown Toronto. Podium choices will range from 412 sq. ft. studios to 887 sq. ft. two-bedroom designs, some with private terraces.
FIVE offers a location in the strategic hub of many of Toronto’s most exciting amenities. Sutton Place and Bistro 990 are just around the corner, and the subway is only a block away. The developers’ vision for St. Nicholas Street encompasses sensitivity to the existing buildings on site, and a commitment to the neighbourhood as a whole.
New retail is being contemplated that will animate this largely pedestrian-style section of St. Nicholas. These spaces have the flexibility to house small shops or be combined to accommodate larger retailers (about 8,300 sq. ft. of retail is planned). Potential uses being considered are art galleries; flower shops; and one-of-a-kind food uses such as cafes, bakeries and fruit stores (reminiscent of the Summerhill Shops farther north on Yonge). Combined with the new retail planned for the restored Yonge Street buildings (about 7,250 sq. ft.), the new loft office space planned for the upper floors of the Yonge Street buildings (about 9,000 sq. ft.) and the 493 units within the FIVE development, there will be a vitality on this block that will serve as a model for future developments.
The response thus far has been overwhelming from purchasers seeking something unique in downtown Toronto. Suite choices range from heritage lofts to tower suites, in sizes from 400 to 1,400 sq. ft. Prices start from the mid-$200s.
The Cecconi Simone-designed sales centre and model suite are located within the historic warehouse at 5 St. Joseph Street, just west of Yonge and are open Noon to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, Noon to 5 p.m. weekends, closed Fridays and holidays. For information, call 416-928-0555 or visit www.fivecondos.com.
FIVE – Condos at 5 St. Joseph Restores a Historic Street
The new mixed-use development FIVE – Condos at 5 St. Joseph is gaining attention from architectural critics, the downtown business community, city planners and the condominium-buying public for its commitment to restore almost half a block of historically significant buildings on Yonge Street between Wellesley and St. Joseph Streets. This much-needed rejuvenation is being heralded as a new future for Toronto’s main street.
Five St. Joseph Developments Ltd. (a joint venture between MOD Developments Inc. and Graywood Developments Ltd.) has created a new rendering illustrating that this rejuvenation is not limited to Yonge Street, but will also encompass one of downtown’s most charming streets, St. Nicholas. The rendering of the St. Nicolas Street side of the building shows how attractive the street will be when it is completed. Running between Wellesley and St. Joseph Streets, the narrow cobble-stoned section flanking the FIVE site has always been a unique by-way in the neighbourhood. Lined by brick warehouses, it has an ambience reminiscent of older areas of New York or London.
The spirit of the past is being kept alive in the innovative design by David Pontarini of Hariri Pontarini Architects, who is melding the old with the new in a unique blend of contemporary and traditional architecture. The design incorporates components of the existing heritage architecture for both the residential lofts and retail spaces that are undergoing a restoration by ERA Architects.
On St. Joseph Street, the 1905 Gothic-revival façade of the old Rawlinson warehouse will be meticulously restored and will serve as the front façade of the new 45-storey residential tower that will rise above it. On St. Nicolas Street, Mr. Pontarini has designed a new brick and stone façade inspired by the past, complete with large loft-style windows, some with the same Gothic-revival shapes found in the St. Joseph façade. Within this volume are three floors of unique residential lofts, with ceiling heights up to 10’ - perhaps the only loft project in central downtown Toronto. Podium choices will range from 412 sq. ft. studios to 887 sq. ft. two-bedroom designs, some with private terraces.
FIVE offers a location in the strategic hub of many of Toronto’s most exciting amenities. Sutton Place and Bistro 990 are just around the corner, and the subway is only a block away. The developers’ vision for St. Nicholas Street encompasses sensitivity to the existing buildings on site, and a commitment to the neighbourhood as a whole.
New retail is being contemplated that will animate this largely pedestrian-style section of St. Nicholas. These spaces have the flexibility to house small shops or be combined to accommodate larger retailers (about 8,300 sq. ft. of retail is planned). Potential uses being considered are art galleries; flower shops; and one-of-a-kind food uses such as cafes, bakeries and fruit stores (reminiscent of the Summerhill Shops farther north on Yonge). Combined with the new retail planned for the restored Yonge Street buildings (about 7,250 sq. ft.), the new loft office space planned for the upper floors of the Yonge Street buildings (about 9,000 sq. ft.) and the 493 units within the FIVE development, there will be a vitality on this block that will serve as a model for future developments.
The response thus far has been overwhelming from purchasers seeking something unique in downtown Toronto. Suite choices range from heritage lofts to tower suites, in sizes from 400 to 1,400 sq. ft. Prices start from the mid-$200s.
The Cecconi Simone-designed sales centre and model suite are located within the historic warehouse at 5 St. Joseph Street, just west of Yonge and are open Noon to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday, Noon to 5 p.m. weekends, closed Fridays and holidays. For information, call 416-928-0555 or visit www.fivecondos.com.
