Shops At Don Mills Add Contemporary Flaire
By on Oct 04, 2011
The new Flaire condominium residence by Cadillac Fairview Corporation and Fram Building Group is about to bring a hint of retro style, a fresh newurban vibe and a strong, sculptural design to Shops at Don Mills, a unique urban village that is already revitalizing this mid-century Toronto neighbourhood.
“Our vision definitely had an element of nostalgia,” says Ralph Giannone, principal of Giannone Petricone Associates Architects, the firm responsible for Flaire and one of the key players in the development of the entire Shops at Don Mills neighbourhood. “But at the same time was forward-looking and youthful.”
Like the original design language of this suburban-meets-urban area, Flaire is cutting-edge for its time, with distinctive balconies that lend an unusual horizontality to the two 11-storey towers. “They’re like ribbons of glass and concrete that roll around the building, creating a simple, solid yet playful architectural style. Anchoring the towers is a four-storey podium whose function is to both join the towers, inviting a sociability for residents, and to flawlessly integrate with the urban brick façades of Shops at Don Mills. The towers’ base of dark grey brick contrast the curving, sinuous shapes above, while the sharp framework of the Shops that surround them act as visual brackets that capture the light concrete and glass towers. The design created an opportunity for interesting garden spaces, as well as retail spaces on the ground level that will provide another important tie-in to the ‘promenade’ structure of Shops at Don Mills.
Visitors will drive into a resort-like setting under an ultra-modern V-shaped porte-cochere that distinguishes it from a typical condo forecourt, complete with an elongated bay that extends the ground floor into the garden courtyard to embrace the natural surroundings.
“Flaire fits into its surroundings on an emotional level with informal, modern, landscape-based architecture, a wonderful meeting of suburban and urban that Shops at Don Mills already embraces,” Mr. Giannone says. For more information call 416-445-8868 or visit flairecondos.com.
