The Carnaby's Amenities Bring Art To Life
By on Apr 04, 2012
From the spectacular light-filled two-storey lobby, through the modern party room and lounge, to the stunning outdoor terrace, the amenities at Streetcar’s latest project, The Carnaby, live up to the condominium’s iconic name.
The spaces are fashion-forward, artistic and modern as they thoughtfully represent the carefree, youthful vibe of London’s Carnaby Street, while being functional spaces that extend and enhance the living areas of residents. Streetcar enlisted the help of Toronto design firm, Seven Haus Design to fill this tall order.
“We used a light palette of materials for a very polished gallery feel and the 2-storey windows blur the division between the inside and out,” says Seven Haus principal Jessica Helps of the spacious, linear lobby.
The designers took the patterns and colours of the mod, geographic prints which were popular in the ‘60s and ‘70s heyday of London’s Carnaby Street and translated them into modern finishes throughout.
Striking, cantilevered volumes high up on the lobby walls are finished in bright shades and metallic hues, and are lit to glow into the adjacent pedestrian-friendly laneway at night. The gunmetal front desk and modular cubic benches themselves become the art installations.
“The interior design finishes and elements become the electric energy and art in the space,” Helps says. “We integrated the artsy Queen West vibe right into the lobby. It’s a nod to the Art and Design District and The Carnaby’s eclectic neighbourhood.”
This energy carries into the party room, where glamorous lighting, flooring finishes and contemporary furniture are cleverly used to delineate the wide-open space. Along one long wall, an integrated kitchen looks more like a modern furniture piece. Flat-screen TVs are incorporated into warm, Douglas Fir wall panels flanked by contrasting, cool metallic panels. Polished limestone floors demarcate the media lounge, surrounded by striking hardwood. At the other end of the room, rich leather furniture is perfectly designed to encourage socialization.
“It’s a space to watch movies, network, use the wireless internet, hang out, meet your neighbours and have a meeting, but we also wanted to embrace the idea of sitting by yourself, doing your own thing, in a beautiful, luxurious space, where you could look outside to the terrace and enjoy a coffee,” Helps says.
Streetcar designed the outside terrace to be both an enhancement of the artful inside spaces, and a whole other world. “The location is amazing,” Helps says, “with such a massive amenity space – the wide open sky will be a stunning luxury.” The expansive space is broken up into a barbecue area with dining tables, casual lounge and sun lounge by a variety of flooring finishes that include wood, tile and spa-like rock-garden strips. Box planters and clustered seating help further define the resort-style space. “The terrace is extremely flexible. You can host any kind of event here,” Helps says. “The furniture is super-functional for outside, and easy to move around and configure into different event layouts.”
With beautiful furniture and finishes, an artistic neighbourhood that demands excellence, and an electric artistic vibe, The Carnaby amenities are destined to offer residents the best of Queen West.
The Carnaby is a distinctive, 20-storey tower featuring one and two-bedroom suites, with and without dens. Sizes start from 457 sq. ft. to 885 sq. ft., and are priced from the mid-$200,000s.
