Regency on the Ravine (500 Sheppard Ave W @ Bathurst, 17s, Atkins) DEAD

[Solaris]

a nice looking 17 storey tinted glass buildng with with a curved face on the east side looking over ravine green space ... units range from 714 to 2,682 sq.ft.

I'm a little skeptical about this project since the agent couldn't even give me a builder name (and its not printed in the brochure either) and the architect doesn't have a good track record of building designs that acutally get built as proposed (go check out their residential projects on the website @ http://www.atkinsarchitects.com/Residential%20All.html, most of them shown never materialized)

the cool part about this project is the rooftop amenities including an outdoor lap pool on the 17th floor ... I guess someone is trying to copy Mahattan-lifestyle

classical looking lobby ... I suppose the builder's trying to go upscale ~

the site location is, as the name suggest, right by the ravine which is a major plus with nice views towards NYCC skyline. However the site is immediately east of an existing 1970s(?) 17s slab condo/apartment which is not so nice

Official Website showing the nice easterly view:
http://www.regencyontheravine.com/

 

[marcus_a_j]

I thought there was a preliminary staff report for this project floating around UT somewhere? I might be mistaken, but it would say who the applicant is (but that doesn't necessarily mean the developer, could be their agent)

 

[Uncle Teddy]

Another reason to extend the Sheppard subway westward.

 

[Solaris]

thanks for the reminder marcus ... I forgot to check on that ... and you are correct, there was a final City Planning staff report in June 2007 (http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/ny/bgrd/backgroundfile-4681.pdf) but I seeing only the planning consultant is named, owner is a numbered company ... so who knows?

from this staff report there's a site plan that shows the proposed building's relation to the condo/apartment to the west .... the proposed building footprint has changed a little, but nonetheless the tower location is pretty consistent to the current proposal

 

[ProjectEnd]

The exterior is not too bad, but that lobby seems to be channeling Louis XIV...

 

[world19]

There were questions about the applicant. It appears to be one Claude Bitton who owns some number of properties around Toronto, and in the last few years has bought up big chunks of Bloor St. properties in Bloor West Village. Nothing much is happening with them either. Most of them are empty or under-used. His plans are unknown.

Besides all the financial strains, he's also facing some legal challenges, and although until recently there was very little information available about him, in the last month or two, he's suddenly gone public with four websites, a blog and Facebook & Linkedin pages, all dedicated to describing his great qualities.

A very odd situation.

(We're a community group in the BWV area concerned about what's going on there. Some information about him is in our newsletter: http://www.world19.com/newsletters/archives/352)

 

[Solaris]

Websites

The 'official' website with no details what-so-ever:

http://regencyontheravine.com/

And then I found a little writeup on this project from Claude Bitton Real Estate's website (thanks for the lead world19):

************

Regency on the Ravine

Claude Bitton has made a successful transition of property manager to real estate developer. He can look years down is a visionary for real estate developers. Looking years even decades into the future to determine what buildings will be needed and where. He imagines commercial and residential buildings, industrial parks and even entire commercial districts. Claude Bitton through his hard work has become a successful property developer working on many projects – one notably Regency on the Ravine.

Living at Regency on the Ravine

Live in luxury without leaving the city. Take in the Toronto skyline from your balcony or the lush greenery and tranquility of the Don River Ravine. Regency on the Ravine is a young, hot condominium property located just outside of North York. Minutes away from Young and Sheppard the building has been designed to compliment its gorgeous surroundings. Regency on the Ravine is a 16 storey – 150 suite building.

This luxury condo skyscraper is currently taking applications for its suite. Regency on the Ravine located at 500 Sheppard Avenue has multiple options for suites available – 1 bedroom to 2 bedroom + den ranging anywhere from 500 square feet to 17000 square feet.

Take in the views of your backyard that is a fully equipped park with ski hill, shops, restaurants and necessary amenities all within walking distance. This luxury condo is nothing more or less then what it states. Regency on the Ravine is more then a condo it is a home. Click here to learn more about Regency on the Ravine.

Earl Bales Park

Located on the site of the old York Downs Golf Course, the tees and greens can still be recognized in the park landscape. Earl Bales Park is located in the West Don River Valley. Just a brief walk from your condo you and your family can enjoy this fantastic park that holds many festivals and concerts seasonally at the Barry Zukerman Amphitheatre which facilitates an audience of 1500 people. In the winter time venture out from your cozy condo and learn how to ski or snowboard at the parks ski-center which is fully equipped with a snow-making machine. The facility also includes rental equipment and coaching programs. Families living at the Regency of the Ravine can enjoy the Earl Bales Park with walks along the trails or an afternoon on the playground – snacks bars are located throughout the park for your convenience.

 

[Pfloyd]

There were questions about the applicant. It appears to be one Claude Bitton who owns some number of properties around Toronto, and in the last few years has bought up big chunks of Bloor St. properties in Bloor West Village. Nothing much is happening with them either. Most of them are empty or under-used. His plans are unknown.

Besides all the financial strains, he's also facing some legal challenges, and although until recently there was very little information available about him, in the last month or two, he's suddenly gone public with four websites, a blog and Facebook & Linkedin pages, all dedicated to describing his great qualities.

A very odd situation.

(We're a community group in the BWV area concerned about what's going on there. Some information about him is in our newsletter: http://www.world19.com/newsletters/archives/352)

It seems like you guys at World19 have done quite a bit of research on this character. After looking at your link and Google, it seems like the sudden appearance of several very oddly written websites filled with unverifiable statements, it all seems to be a smokescreen, not to lure investors but to hide the fact that since September of last year when you googled his name the first thing that would appear would be links like these:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/on/news-nouvelles/2008/08-09-03-gta-rgt-ccs-sic-eng.htm
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2008/03/c9074.html
http://www.yorkregion.com/article/80845

In any case, it is indeed a very odd situation.