First and Lasting Impressions
By on Jul 20, 2010
By Barbara Lawlor
The saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover” may not apply to new residential condominiums in Toronto and the GTA. Developers and builders are more passionate than ever before to create exteriors that reflect the surroundings and the sentiments of buyers. Potential purchasers typically narrow down their condo search by location and the outward appearance of the building. The great news is that today’s architecture is positively stunning, and as diverse as the areas in and around Toronto. Architecture creates a first impression that feels like “home” to specific markets.
Everyone has a different idea of home, and across Toronto and the 905 areas, there is a fabulous variety of condominiums to choose from. Modern, contemporary, classic, traditional—whatever your preference, you will find a tempting selection of buildings designed by world-renowned architects who continually raise the bar for quality. Our local architectural firms have gained international renown, and sometimes developers call on the expertise of companies from the U.S. and beyond. The sophisticated exterior of The Ritz Carlton, Toronto is the brainchild of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) Architects and Planners, which has offices in New York, London and Tokyo. Speaking of that, we are also seeing tremendous interest in high-end luxury condominium residences on top of five-star hotels. Another gorgeous example is Four Seasons Private Residences Toronto.
On occasion, the developer’s vision includes a heritage aspect, and condominium such as 100 Yorkville preserve the historic façade of the original building (in this case, Mount Sinai Hospital) and incorporate it into the ground level to add distinction. And landscaping is a critical component of a condominium’s exterior. Today’s buildings may encompass any number of beautiful elements such as lush courtyards, verdant parks, inviting rooftop gardens and other spaces that encourage interaction with nature, contribute to greening the streetscape and softening the condominiums’ urban edge. Carefully chosen plant materials complement the settings and provide as much colour as possible throughout the year. Much like European cities, condominium landscaping has a tremendous impact on the urban environment. In fact, many of these gardens are a work of art. And speaking of art, developers are even including public art in their exterior designs, expanding Toronto’s cultural appeal.
There is a kind of magic that results from innovative developers enlisting internationally renowned building and landscape architects to help bring their vision to life. Residents live in buildings with character and enhanced value, and Toronto's streetscapes become increasingly appealing as landmark condominiums add their charm.
When it comes to cityscapes, Toronto holds its own with other major cities of the world. Our condominium market is much younger, however, which means buyers here have tremendous choice. Shoppers can find just about anything in the way of architecture. As a result, our cosmopolitan flair continues to attract buyers of all ages from around the world. And Toronto becomes more beautiful, condominium by condominium.
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.
