Contemporary Developments are Adding Wellness to the Package
By Sam R on Jun 24, 2014
An on-site gym is practically a given in a new development these days, but some builders are taking devotion to a healthy lifestyle to another level.
Buy at the Canary District, and you can live in one of the most intelligent neighbourhoods in the city and avoid junk food at the same time. It’s a recipe for success that puts a spotlight firmly on the Millennials that are snapping up Canary District and Canary Park units — contemporary urban living means the latest communications connectivity plus healthy lifestyle options for a balance many of us older folk missed in favour of three-martini lunches, hardened arteries and trekking it out to the ‘burbs. Almost makes me wish I had it to do over again.
Developer Dundee Kilmer announced it will “hand-pick health and wellness retail and commercial tenants,” avoiding the quick-buck approach to leasing retail space to whomever comes along. Surrounded by parks that encourage riding and trekking, and dotted throughout with pedestrian pathways of its own, it’s only fitting that this athletes’ village-turned-condo development will eschew fast food joints in favour of healthier tenants. President Jason Lester declined to name names but said the company is negotiating with a variety of independent operators to occupy the 46,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail space that will run along Front Street from Cherry to Bayview.
He mentioned running-affiliated retailers, yoga studios and food preparers that have “a health and wellness theme as well” as possible tenants. He said there were so many other places in the city that would welcome “convenience food that doesn’t have a healthy element to it,” that he feels no need to welcome them into Canary District. “We feel that for this business model to succeed, there has to be a destination, a sense of place,” Lester told the Star.
The community’s website even includes tips for a healthy lifestyle, including walking more, drinking water, journaling and eating your veggies.
While it does have an altruistic bend to it, there has to be a sound financial model attached or no self-respecting builder would bother. Since Dundee managed to pull off a resounding success with the Distillery District — which, instead of a health and wellness theme has more of an arts and design theme — I think they’re onto something. You won’t find a Starbucks at the Distillery District, and I’m glad you won’t find golden arches at Canary District.
Once again, Dundee Kilmer is showing the city how to get a master-planned community right, and they’re not the only developer putting wellness at the fore. Adi Development Group CEO Tariq Adi says he’s including a personal trainer among the amenities at his upcoming Burlington development on Dundas Street at Sutton Drive. Adi, who lost 25 pounds with the help of a Trubody fitness instructor, says maintenance fees of 45 cents/square foot will include a trainer who leads three daily classes on site, seven days a week.
“Being on a health and fitness kick, [my brother and I] wanted to make that part of not just our lives and our company, but also the demographic and clients that are going to buy in our building. So we created a world-class facility in the amenity space that allows for that,” Adi told the Globe. The four-building development will also feature a private trail that connects to a public one along Bronte Creek, further enticing residents to get up and get moving.
Urban agriculture is another way builders are encouraging residents to lead more balanced lives. Daniels was among the first, with its community gardening plots at One Cole in Regent Park. Its upcoming High Park project will include a second-floor gardening terrace. They’ve also announced they’ll offer bike clinics, tune-ups and excursions to residents, with a bike-share program on site for those who don’t have their own wheels.
Not that long ago, it was impossible to picture a city that didn’t centre on gridlock and smog. Now, it’s actually possible to picture a lifestyle that includes urban densification, but also good food and lots of exercise. I hope this one’s no passing trend — if you’re looking to make a healthy lifestyle a permanent fixture of Hogtown living, support projects that facilitate the lifestyle you want.
