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Following the pandemic, investing in wellness became something that's not just nice-to-have, but a fundamental component of people's lives. As a result, Curated Properties is bringing a new wellness-centred development to Toronto's Midtown: AKRA is a 22-storey, 211-unit condominium designed by RAW that is making the wellness of its residents a priority.
Located a couple blocks north and east of Yonge and Eglinton at 109 Erskine Avenue, Curated Properties aims to balance the ongoing densification taking place in the Yonge and Eg area with AKRA's modest size. To address the wellness of the building's residents, five categories were identified to guide the design of the new building: health, fitness, nutrition, sleep, and mindfulness.
With interiors appointed by Chapi Chapo Design, the lobby of AKRA will boast double-height ceilings and pre-programmed lighting levels based on the time of day to support healthy circadian rhythms. Common areas will feature layered textures, warm, natural materials like woods, and indirect lighting to maintain a sense of calm.
Each suite, whether it be a studio, or a three-bedroom, will offer storage and organization options that will make sure everything has its place. Suites will feature built-in closet units, pantries, and linen closets. Meanwhile, integrated suite technology powered by Smart One will offer features such as hands-free entry, automated parcel delivery, and smartphone access to each suite, providing connected, efficient, and organized living spaces.
AKRA's amenities will include communal herbal and Zen gardens designed by Alexander Budrevics & Associates, which will feature planters dedicated to herbs that offer medicinal properties, as well as private fitness rooms with Aura Air filtration, which uses UV filters to reduce particulate levels in the air.
A dedicated spa, called AKRA Rituals, will feature infrared saunas with integrated red light and halo therapy, hot and cold plunge pools, and a shower with integrated chromotherapy.
According to Curated Properties, the spa features have been chosen for specific wellness-based reasons; the infrared saunas were selected for their ability to improve blood flow in the body and recover muscles, supporting the lymphatic and central nervous systems to help heal and rejuvenate cellular tissue, while similarly the cold plunge pool stimulates the skin and kick-starts the circulatory system, reinforcing the cardiovascular and immune systems while providing relief from pain, healing muscles, and reducing inflammation.
Fresh air will also be a main priority of AKRA, with each unit to be equipped with an Energy Recovery Ventilator device that will provide constant fresh air to each suite. HVAC units will be equipped with HEPA/MERV filters to maintain a high standard of indoor air quality.
Nature and the outdoors is also of importance at AKRA. The building is to be situated opposite a public park, while also featuring a wide range of private terraces and common outdoor amenities where residents can get a breath of fresh air.
UrbanToronto will keep its eye on updates for this project, but in the meantime, you can learn more from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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| Related Companies: | Gradient Wind Engineers & Scientists, Grounded Engineering Inc., Norris Fire Consulting Inc, RAW Design, WND Associates Ltd |
