Chaz on Charles Update
Toronto’s Yonge & Bloor neighbourhood continues to evolve with the addition of
CHAZ. To be located at 45 Charles Street East next to the recently completed Casa Condominium, CHAZ will rise 39 stories including a 5-story podium.
CHAZ is the creation of 45 Charles Ltd and Edenshaw Homes Ltd. Edenshaw’s principal David McComb oversaw the planning and final execution of Concord’s
CityPlace development near Spadina and Front St.
Designed by Sol Wassermuhl of Toronto-based
Page + Steele / IBI Architects with interiors by Elaine Cecconi of
Cecconi Simone Inc, CHAZ will have an innovative design with eight corner suites on each floor. The suites include floor-to-ceiling windows and 9’ ceiling heights.
The amenities at CHAZ might be the most diverse ever offered in Toronto.
Starting with the two-storey Chaz Club located on the 36th and 37th floors, residents have a demonstration-style cooking area along with their panoramic south-facing view of the city.
Residents will be able to work out in the fitness room, spinning area and yoga / pilates room, then rejuvenate in his and hers saunas, and in a relax room with Hydrospa and relaxation chairs.
A Gamers Room is perfect for hosting LAN parties with access to multi screens. Film fans will have a 3D screening room, while the sports fans will have their own exclusive sports theatre.
Four-legged residents at CHAZ have not been forgotten; a private pet spa will be available after long walks through Yorkville, the Village and other adjoining neighbourhoods.
In addition, there will be two hotel-style guest suites available for booking.
The lobby of CHAZ will feature the “living room†where guests and residents can lounge while waiting for friends or neighbours. This area features a walkout to an outdoor living space with semi-private and secluded lounge areas, a two-sided fireplace, and an indoor/outdoor dining area with a barbecue.
The exterior landscaping will showcase a large waterfall with a sculpture of frolicking dolphins.
The 420 residential homes consist of studios, one-bedroom, one-bedroom + den, two-bedroom and three-bedroom and penthouse suites and are priced from the mid-$200,000s to over $1,500,000.
While one might think trying to appeal to all kinds of Gen X/Yers with a grab bag of amenities is a bit much (who is really going to use the demonstration kitchen? I would hope
Jamie Kennedy or
Mark McEwan decides to live at Chaz. A private pet spa? And a room for LAN parties? At least a 3D movie theatre is thinking ahead), the part of the development that is the kicker for trying to do too much is the waterfall with a sculpture of frolicking dolphins.
I'm not sure what dolphins have to do with Chaz, Charles Street, or Toronto, or anything, really. They must appeal to some other section of the population that isn't covered by the other amenities. If the developers were trying to stick with their Chaz theme, they could have had a fountain sculpture of transgender
Chaz Bono instead. That would certainly be much more interesting and relevant.
While the current design gives a nod towards the building that is currently there with its 8 corner units, personally, a condo redesign to Chas with a
Chas Addams theme (you know, the New Yorker cartoonist and creator of the Addams family) would work I think. We could see our first Victorian Revival skyscraper. I'll take the 2 bed + den Uncle Fester unit, complete with Edison light bulbs with his face on a sconce.