Condo Pro: The Green Condo Thumb Expends

By Barbara Lawlor

I have written columns on container gardening for condominium balconies and terraces, and pointed out how many wonderful choices there are for pots and hearty plants that do well in the weather conditions presented by these outdoor living spaces. Condo purchasers who thrive on the popular pastime of gardening can keep their green thumbs in shape by creating lovely surroundings of colour and greenery on their balconies that add a beautiful touch of nature to their views.

They can also tailor their container gardens to their needs and aesthetic preferences, and the possibilities are endless. Avid cooks can plant an herb garden that enables them to snip fresh basil for the perfect pesto sauce or sage for succulent turkey dressing. Suite owners whose tastes run to the traditional may cluster annuals of varying colours to achieve an English garden effect, while someone with modern décor could create a minimalist look with ornamental grasses with an occasional feature flower added in for colour. Trellises, flower boxes, decorative fencing … the appearance of a balcony or terrace garden can take on any number of looks.

Over the past few years, we’ve also seen the concept of condo gardening expand to include rooftop garden oases with everything from barbecue and seating areas, to full-size trees. The rooftop garden adds a true “backyard” experience to live in a highrise. A fabulous example is the 6,000 square-foot roof garden at FIVE – Condos at 5 St. Joseph by Five St. Joseph Developments Ltd., which is designed by the remarkable Janet Rosenberg and Associates and includes a stunning water feature.

Another is OneCole Condominiums, The Daniels Corporation’s first condominium in the new Regent Park revitalization. This building has Toronto’s only 20,000 square-foot garden roof called SkyPark, which features a fully functional park, full-size trees, barbecue stations, seating areas, and open spaces for picnicking. The green roof also has a system for collecting and recycling rainwater for use in the landscaping.

In addition to offering a natural retreat for residents’ enjoyment, rooftop gardens add to the greenery of Toronto’s urban landscape and can actually help reduce air pollution. They have a cooling effect on the building during the summer, and they can help to insulate it during the winter months. Green roofs are also beneficial for storm water runoff.

Recently, this trend has taken yet another fascinating turn, toward incorporating larger gardening areas that residents can use to grow vegetables and fruit, as well as flowers and herbs. This idea stems from the environmentally friendly practice of eating foods grown close to home. You can’t get any closer to home than right in your own building!

Daniels’ Limelight Condominiums at Mississauga City Centre, for example, features a fantastic podium rooftop Greenhouse and Gardening Terrace. The design of this amenity features a gardening plot laid out in a labyrinth style, making it striking to look at and handy for residents to grow their own tomatoes, herbs, spices and the like. In addition, Daniels is helping to establish a gardening committee that will see to maintaining this terrace.

The continuing efforts of developers to enhancing the green aspects of condominiums contribute to reducing the buildings’ carbon footprint, and to creating a more convenient and comfortable lifestyle for suite owners. Every food item that we grow at home is healthier and helps to reduce the natural resources used up by having to transport food over long distances.

Condominiums just keep getting better and better. Those who are concerned about the environment can feel confident that today’s designs are tighter, more efficient and greener than ever before. The broadening of gardening opportunities within the condominium itself is exciting. Remember that all of the amenities in a building are essentially extensions of your living space. Who would have thought decades ago that someday it would include being able to plant and harvest your own veggies?

Barbara Lawlor is president of Baker Real Estate Incorporated and an in-demand columnist and speaker. A member of the Baker team since 1993, she oversees the marketing and sales of condominium developments in the GTA and overseas. Keep current with The Baker Blog at blog.bakerrealestate.com