Westlake Village (Lake Shore @ Park Lawn, Etobicoke, Onni Dev, 38+ 43 + 48s, P+S/IBI)
Westlake Condos (The Onni Group) - Real Estate -
- Thread starter Edward Skira
- Start date
Condofan29
New Member
Has anyone bought here? Just wondering some insight on the builder if I do decide to get a unit here. How's pricing compared to the first VIP prices?
We'll use this thread for those interested in purchasing at the last phase, Westlake Encore, as well.
Auraz
Active Member
Really great promos going on for the remaining inventory in the three phases. Great complex! PM if you'd like to get more info.
A
arcum
Guest
How are these condos? I noticed about 100 units from the various buildings showed up for rent on MLS. I'm thinking of renting in this area as I would drive to work in Etobicoke.
Auraz
Active Member
Great value! Seen one bedrooms plus den with Parking and Locker for $1200/month 6 months free rogers. Can't go wrong with a good deal especially if you are driving.
theSpam
New Member
It appears that the Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant is in the vicinity. Are there any concerns about smells or odours emanating from this facility. I know that this is a big issue with residents who live near the Ashbridge's Bay facility in the east end. Thoughts?
Keyz
Active Member
I find the only spot where I can occasionally smell the Humber Plant is on the Gardiner to the SE of the plant (pretty much on the Humber bridge).
Humber is much smaller than Ashbridges Bay and the main potential odour offender at Humber (the headworks) is undergoing upgrades with a new odour control facility.
Humber is much smaller than Ashbridges Bay and the main potential odour offender at Humber (the headworks) is undergoing upgrades with a new odour control facility.
casanova_2014
New Member
Thinking to purchase a unit here for investment purpose. Any suggestion? I was more leaning towards the south core financial district, but again the prices in that area is very very expensive.
There is a VIP sale this weekend (March 28-29) as per my realtor.
There is a VIP sale this weekend (March 28-29) as per my realtor.
awesomeame
New Member
Hi! I'm considering buying a unit in Westlake3. I can't find any good reviews on the Onni group though, so I'm hoping to hear from current residents in the Westlake project. Most of the reviews are from buildings in BC though.
Re: Westlake: Are you guys/gals having any problems? Construction problems? How is the customer service...are they fixing deficiencies in your units? Quality finished unit, or lots of issues? Can you hear your neighbors or are your units well sound-proofed? How do you like the building, and living there?
Thanks!
Matt
Re: Westlake: Are you guys/gals having any problems? Construction problems? How is the customer service...are they fixing deficiencies in your units? Quality finished unit, or lots of issues? Can you hear your neighbors or are your units well sound-proofed? How do you like the building, and living there?
Thanks!
Matt
anthony choi
New Member
dear all
need some of ur professional advise
just brough the condo westlake3 and wondering if this is a good investment to rent?
thanks
need some of ur professional advise
just brough the condo westlake3 and wondering if this is a good investment to rent?
thanks
awesomeame
New Member
Hey, so I have indeed bought a unit in Westlake3 to live in. I managed to go walk around there and spoke with several workers who all say the construction is well done, and also spoke with several residents of earlier westlake buildings and they all seem to be happy, and say units are well finished and quiet.
Matt
Anthony: Renting out is usually good from an investment point of view, but you'll have to decide that for yourself depending on what all the numbers say. It might be that it won't rent for carrying cost, and then you'll need to decide if, and how much, additional money you're willing to put into a property. There will be a point where it isn't worth renting, and you'll be better off selling or living in the unit. Depending on your budget, you may also not be able to afford to live elsewhere, AND rent out a unit if it doesn't cover carrying costs. I would suggest you get a spreadsheet together to make sure renting out your unit is the best thing for you to do.
anthony choi
New Member
thanks matt!!!
deadbolt
New Member
Has any one closed yet and know the closing costs?
I went into the office and they said it was closing end of August.
I went into the office and they said it was closing end of August.
Last edited by a moderator:
Torontite
New Member
@yakuh Continuing our discussion. I have been living in Westlake 1 since Feb 2015. Our unit is owned by a relative, so although we don't technically own it, it feels sort of like we do. We were one of the first occupants - the place was pretty much empty for the first couple of months!
Before I give my opinion I should mention that I was born in Toronto and grew up living in detached houses. I also lived for ~1 year in a cityplace condord tower on telegram mews and ~2 years in a low rise apartment. I also have some experience in a tridel building built in the 1980's which my dad lives in. I am also a perfectionist and very sensitive to noise, etc.
With that as a reference I would say the onni building is slightly better than the others in some areas, and slightly worse in other areas. Here's the breakdown:
Elevators
- Onni has 5 elevators in Phase 1 which is much better than Cityplace which had only 3 elevators. There is often one or two elevators out of service though and it seems there are people often waiting for the elevator. I think this is typical for new buildings, unfortunately, as you mentioned. My dad's 1980's tridel building has 4 elevators and approx 26 floors and the elevators there are fantastic. They were recently redone though, so things could have been worse before.
Plumbing
- The plumbing has been very good in Westlake - no temperature fluctuations, good water pressure, etc. My dad's Tridel building has some major issues with temperature regulation and water pressure.
Floods
- There was one flood in Westlake 1 that I'm aware of, in the 2+ years I've been here and it looked minor to me. Compared to 2 major floods in the Cityplace building (with water gushing down the stairwell) in the ~1 year I lived there, I would say Onni's record is much better.
Alarms
- At Westlake, there were a lot of false alarms in the first 6 months or so, due to sprinklers going off accidentally. They fixed those issues and alarms have been under control since then. In the cityplace building, the alarms were more frequent even though the building was older. The worst was an alarm at 5am on Christmas Day. That was the last straw for me.
Insulation
- At first we had major issues with cold air entering the unit in the winter. We are on a lower floor, so the 'stack effect' is partly to blame. Under the warranty we had onni come several times to add extra insulation and sealing to the exterior and they have largely solved the issue. We never had a problem getting them to come and look at / fix things. Any remaining issues are due to the design of the building. Our unit has a wraparound balcony and after doing research I now fully understand the issues with this design. The concrete balconies basically act like radiator fins - drawing in the cold during the winter, and heat in the summer. Most units don't have a wraparound balcony so shouldn't be as much of a problem.
Noise
- I discovered this has a lot to do with who your neighbours are, and less to do with the building. I heard nothing in cityplace but I think my neighbours must've been quiet because other people complained about noise in the same building. In Westlake I definitely hear noise from my neighbours from time to time (when they are blasting music, I can hear it slightly through the walls). I can hear the toilet flushing upstairs. I can't hear people talking though. It is MUCH better here than when I was living in the low rise apartment which did not have concrete between units. I could hear everything there, including conversations.
Finishes
- You are correct, the finishes are basic. Onni also did not offer much in terms of customization - we had the choice of "A" or "B". I believe this is done to save costs. On the up side, there are no units with 'odd' combinations like I've seen in other buildings where purchasers think they can play designer.
- There were a few minor cracks and chips in the interior and onni promptly fixed these to our satisfaction.
Amenities
- They are amazing, best I've seen in Toronto.
- Love the retail shops downstairs, the convenience is really great.
Overall the experience has been good enough for me to buy a unit in Encore. However I am not expecting perfection.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Before I give my opinion I should mention that I was born in Toronto and grew up living in detached houses. I also lived for ~1 year in a cityplace condord tower on telegram mews and ~2 years in a low rise apartment. I also have some experience in a tridel building built in the 1980's which my dad lives in. I am also a perfectionist and very sensitive to noise, etc.
With that as a reference I would say the onni building is slightly better than the others in some areas, and slightly worse in other areas. Here's the breakdown:
Elevators
- Onni has 5 elevators in Phase 1 which is much better than Cityplace which had only 3 elevators. There is often one or two elevators out of service though and it seems there are people often waiting for the elevator. I think this is typical for new buildings, unfortunately, as you mentioned. My dad's 1980's tridel building has 4 elevators and approx 26 floors and the elevators there are fantastic. They were recently redone though, so things could have been worse before.
Plumbing
- The plumbing has been very good in Westlake - no temperature fluctuations, good water pressure, etc. My dad's Tridel building has some major issues with temperature regulation and water pressure.
Floods
- There was one flood in Westlake 1 that I'm aware of, in the 2+ years I've been here and it looked minor to me. Compared to 2 major floods in the Cityplace building (with water gushing down the stairwell) in the ~1 year I lived there, I would say Onni's record is much better.
Alarms
- At Westlake, there were a lot of false alarms in the first 6 months or so, due to sprinklers going off accidentally. They fixed those issues and alarms have been under control since then. In the cityplace building, the alarms were more frequent even though the building was older. The worst was an alarm at 5am on Christmas Day. That was the last straw for me.
Insulation
- At first we had major issues with cold air entering the unit in the winter. We are on a lower floor, so the 'stack effect' is partly to blame. Under the warranty we had onni come several times to add extra insulation and sealing to the exterior and they have largely solved the issue. We never had a problem getting them to come and look at / fix things. Any remaining issues are due to the design of the building. Our unit has a wraparound balcony and after doing research I now fully understand the issues with this design. The concrete balconies basically act like radiator fins - drawing in the cold during the winter, and heat in the summer. Most units don't have a wraparound balcony so shouldn't be as much of a problem.
Noise
- I discovered this has a lot to do with who your neighbours are, and less to do with the building. I heard nothing in cityplace but I think my neighbours must've been quiet because other people complained about noise in the same building. In Westlake I definitely hear noise from my neighbours from time to time (when they are blasting music, I can hear it slightly through the walls). I can hear the toilet flushing upstairs. I can't hear people talking though. It is MUCH better here than when I was living in the low rise apartment which did not have concrete between units. I could hear everything there, including conversations.
Finishes
- You are correct, the finishes are basic. Onni also did not offer much in terms of customization - we had the choice of "A" or "B". I believe this is done to save costs. On the up side, there are no units with 'odd' combinations like I've seen in other buildings where purchasers think they can play designer.
- There were a few minor cracks and chips in the interior and onni promptly fixed these to our satisfaction.
Amenities
- They are amazing, best I've seen in Toronto.
- Love the retail shops downstairs, the convenience is really great.
Overall the experience has been good enough for me to buy a unit in Encore. However I am not expecting perfection.
Let me know if you have any other questions.