On a holiday weekend everyone dreams about getting to the right place to kick back and relax, and the reailty this Friday has been that thousands of people have been stuck in traffic on their northward migration by a major accident on Highway 400. Like the sign that used to grace a Don Valley condo, "If you lived here you'd be home by now" could apply in spades to a resort-like project now closing in on completion on the shore of Lake Ontario in Oakville.

The Shores is a 10-storey condominium designed to evoke an oceanliner, perched as it is, overlooking Oakville's picturesque Bronte Harbour. Developed by Fernbrook Homes and Cityzen, the architecture is care of Page + Steele Architects. When we dropped by this week for a quick tour around the exterior, we found a very smart looking building close to accepting its first residents.

The Shores condo from Bronte Harbour, image by Craig White 2012.05.16

The Shores sits at a bend in the road right across from acres of parkland, two yacht harbours, and the mouth of Bronte Creek at Lake Ontario.

The Shores condo from Bronte Harbour, image by Craig White 2012.05.16

On the property (and partially hidden by the hill) and two heritage properties, still to be restored. Glendella House, the two-storey white structure is over 150 years old now and once operated as the Ned Thompson Hotel. Commercial uses may goin on the ground floor.

The Shores condo from Bronte Harbour, image by Craig White 2012.05.16

The Shores, street-side, image by Craig White 2012.05.16

The building is split into a six-storey base with staggered columns sheltering deep balconies, and evoking luxurious passenger-liner staterooms. Above, four more floors of suites feature wide terraces. The building's deck, pool, and fitness cetre are found at the very top.

The Shores, workmen on the terraces, image by Craig White 2012.05.16

Vehicular access is by means of a J-shaped driveway on the north and east sides of the building. Across the driveway are found townhomes.

The Shores, driveway and townhomes, image by Craig White 2012.05.16

The Shores is just one block away from the boutique shops which anchor Oakville's Bronte Village.

The Shores, from Bronte Village shops, image by Craig White 2012.05.16

Bronte Village is located where the Bronte Creek empties into Lake Ontario, and the area has long functioned as a major harbour for pleasure boaters. South and West-facing residents will have an easy view across the west end of Lake Ontario to the the Niagara Escarpment on the other side.

The Shores location, image courtesy of Cityzen and Fernbrook Homes

UrbanToronto has a dataBase page linked below featuring both exterior and interior renderings of the projects, many showing the interiors by Brian Gluckstein, along with all the pertinent info about the project. Visit by clicking the link, or choose the associated Forum thread links if you would like to get in on the conversation!