With one discriminating gaze around the elegant sales pavilion of the city’s latest building venture, The Kennedys Condos, it’s confirmed the multi-tower project will be glamorous, classy and an address of distinction.
Etched with the distinctive “white and black” edging reminiscent of the high powered Paris fashion house, Chanel, the space is configured with brushed stainless steel appliances, lush muted carpeting, soothing art, and a large and an inviting “fire” feature acting as a visual highlight while connecting all the components.
The environment creates a sense of peace, order, and well being, and gives potential new buyers a chance to experience—in real time—what their new home will look and feel like.
“This sales office basically reflects what the project will present as when it’s finished, but of course, the final product will be on a much grander scale,” says Brian M. Woodrow, senior designer at the Toronto based Tomas Pearce Interior Design Consulting Inc., the firm responsible for putting all the wonderful touches on this project.
“There will be drawings and configurations, but nothing beats seeing the real colours, touching the materials, and seeing how all the pieces connect and work off each other—you can’t always get that in pictures,” says Woodrow.
And when Woodrow promises “grander” he isn’t exaggerating. Modelled in classic hotel style, the first building’s lobby will include 3,500 impressive square feet creating a sense of “arrival” for visitors as well as enabling opportunities for various functions and gatherings.
The second adjoining tower—when complete will also boast a 3,500 square foot lobby making for a combined 7,000 square feet of attitude.
“This just won’t be a meeting place … this will be a place where people can gather, talk, and create a real sense of community within the building,” says Woodrow.
The 31 storey tower—which starts construction in 18 months—is overseen by Samm Developments, a real estate developer and builder based in Toronto.
Located at 2035 Kennedy Rd. (and accessible off Village Green Square) it’s the first phase of a three building complex. The initial tower will offer 300 units with the second 29 storey structure possibly offering another 250. The first phase includes one bedroom, one bedroom plus den, two bedrooms, and two bedrooms plus den units. Plans for the third venture are being completed.
Visitors to the condominium will be greeted by the concierge in the expansive lobby/lounge where some of some of the suites in the podium will span two storeys.
The fifth floor of the project will be the heart of the development featuring a “chef’s kitchen” that can be booked for that special meal with family and friends. A variety of spacious dining rooms guarantee an elegant environment for any occasion while taking in spectacular views of the city.
A private bar and cappuccino room are all part of the plans anchored with an expansive, beautiful outdoor terrace filled with plants, flowers, and art.
The fifth floor will also feature a sauna, gym, cardio and stretching room, hot tub and lap pool.
Scott Davie, vice-president of Milborne Real Estate Inc., who is selling the project, says a highlight of The Kennedy Condos will be the karaoke room.
“This is something that is still popular and a lot of people want,” he said. “Our builders have listened to their potential market and we’re all more than happy to provide it.”
He says instead of going out and searching for a club that caters to this form of entertainment all the residents and their friends have to do is pack up a cooler of refreshments, food and head to the karaoke room for a night of fun. And yes … he says the room will be sound proof.
The Kennedy Condos will be located in a “hub” that already contains five other condominiums.
A quick walk through the quiet community sees clean, tree-lined streets with little traffic and a variety of amenities including a dental office.
Shopping is only a short walk away and a subway stop is very likely for the Kennedy Rd. and Sheppard Ave. intersection in the near future.
As well, there is close proximity to Highway 401, the Don Valley Parkway. The Midland TTC station is nearby with the Agincourt Go Rail Station just a 17-minute walk away.
Close by, residents can access the Tam O' Shanter Golf Club as well as the shops and restaurants and services of Kennedy Commons Shopping Centre and a number of other convenient retail and outlets including Fairview Mall. The area is also home to parks, community centres, and the Midland and Progress Campuses of Centennial College.
Principals of the builders are already saying the project will inject “a new vigor” into the skyline and that registrations are already coming in.
Referring to the high powered, American political and entrepreneurial family “The Kennedys” Brian Sickle, of Page + Steele/IBI Group architects, the designer of the project, says the name means more than just the road it’s located on.
“The name Kennedy has always stood for glamour, luxury and a sense of good breeding,” he says. “This condominium community is located in the ”new“ city which carries a certain cachet, and we approached the design to speak to the rebirth going on within our area.”
He says “enough” with the drab angular structures and greyness that has taken over the city in various projects and promises a dynamic look with the first tower hosting two of the corners rendered as broad curves with continuous balconies.
“The Kennedy condos will encompass a beautiful open-air, landscaped plaza designed in the style of the grand courtyards of of Europe,” he says. “The building will feature curved lines at opposing corners providing continuous balconies that span the width of the suites. Part of condominium living is having outdoor space to turn to, so these balconies serve as front and back yards and create a dynamic visual from the street. The curved element softens the angles at the opposite corners.”
Sickle also said colour plays a large role in the exterior design. “We wanted this to be a bright, modern structure so we used a silvery, almost reflective glass that isn’t tinted,” he said. “Along with that, we used aluminum in a bright silver colour. This is an optimistic building.”
There are even plans for a “beacon” on top of the structure that—when seen from Highway 401—will lend to the “presence” of the building and its place in the community.
Woodrow said a recent trip to Italy shows that “The Kennedy Condos” design is on the cutting edge and valid on the world stage.
“(What I saw there) left me feeling good about what’s happening in Toronto and in this project (in the way of design),” he said. “We have achieved a sense of quality, a sense of urban luxury, a sense of arrival at an affordable price.”
Sales will begin soon starting from the low $200s. To register visit www.kennedycondos.com.
Paul Irish is a Toronto area freelance writer.
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