Amenities at your Door Step!

Don Kearney

May 6, 2013

The non-amenity amenity: retail in your condo community. It's late. You've just come home from a long day at work. The kitchen cabinets are bare and the leftovers in the fridge are unrecognizable. Going back out grocery shopping at this hour isn't an option and the thought of wandering around the neighbourhood trying to find a place to eat feels overwhelming. If only you had options right in your building or community. The good news is you do. One of the newest (and best) trends in the residential building industry is the rise of commercial amenities built right into your condominium community.

The ability to take an elevator ride down to the main floor and walk a few steps to a restaurant, food retail store or coffee house is a newer concept that is gaining popularity among developers in the GTA who realize that creating a full concept community means providing more options for their purchasers outside of interior amenities and suites. This phenomena isn't exclusive to condominium communities either.

In new low-rise housing markets many builders are ensuring that retail stores, restaurants and food shopping are a short walk away or a quick drive. The Somerset community in Ajax has the benefit of Somerset Plaza, a retail centre that comprises several restaurants, services, stores and a grocery shopping within walking distance from the subdivision. A short trip to the plaza means picking up everything you need from gas for your car to filling out prescriptions to picking out the perfect merlot for dinner and being back home in minutes.

Current high-rise condominiums such as Ultima near Yonge and Sheppard, Lumiere at Bay and College, and Empress Walk beneath Royal Pinnacle at Yonge and Park Home are great examples of providing retail services in a condominium setting. Movie theatres, a host of restaurants, and numerous shopping options provide residents with everything they need just steps from their front door. In fact, going forward all of our residential condominiums including Gibson Square, Pears on the Avenue, Noir, Fabrik, 365 Church and Harbour Plaza will all have retail components sure to satisfy every tastebud, shopping need and desired services.

The condo and housing markets in the GTA remain strong and giving homeowners options right outside their doorstep is another way builders are creating exciting and new communities.