Gibson Square Condominiums
Location: North York
Builder: Menkes
Size: Tower one from 588 to 1,288 square feet; Tower two from 567 to 997 square feet
Price: Tower one from $332,990 to $845,990; Tower two from $316,990 to $546,990
Sales centre: 4954 Yonge St., south of Mel Lastman Square. Open Monday to Thursday from noon to 6 p.m.; Friday to Sunday and holidays from noon to 5 p.m.
Contact: Phone 416-730-9722 or visit www.menkes.com
Gibson Square Condominiums presents buyers with an opportunity to move into a brand-new residence adjacent to a historic museum and park, as well as a modern transit system, retail businesses and performing-arts theatre.
Its urban location is proving so popular - roughly 70 per cent of the south tower was snatched up since the launch more than a year ago - that Menkes unveiled the north tower earlier this year.
"You're right in the heart of North York City Centre," says vice-president of sales and marketing, Mimi Ng. "You've got everything at your doorstep - shops and transit - but you also have a direct underground connection to North York Centre subway station, as well as Empress Walk Shopping Centre."
The luxury development - composed of 905 suites between two 42-storey towers linked by a five-storey podium - will surround the North York Rose Garden and will lie next to the Gibson House Museum and Gibson Park at the corner of Park Home Avenue and Yonge Street.
"We're going to be creating a heritage promenade off of Park Home Avenue that will connect with the museum," says Ms. Ng. "We try to complement the museum's use and their operations."
Buyers seem pleased by the respectful design of this new addition to the established community, which the builder has helped shape by constructing more than 5,000 single-family and condominium residences, including over 700 suites in two towers on top of Empress Walk.
"Menkes has a long tradition of building in the north Yonge Street area, for over 30 years, so the company has had success with projects with subway line access," explains Ms. Ng.
"[The Gibson Square towers]are landmark buildings, so ... they're going to be the tallest buildings in the neighbourhood."
Nearly every aspect of the project will make a grand statement, such as a two-storey lobby with 24-hour concierge and a 20,000 square-foot recreation facility on the second floor with a gym, a yoga studio and an indoor pool with an outdoor sunbathing terrace, as well as a theatre, games and card rooms, a boardroom and four guest suites.
In addition, two party rooms will each have a kitchen, wet bar and access to a landscaped outdoor garden. "One is more of a formal party room with a formal dining area and lounge area," says Ms. Ng. "The other party room is more casual and … almost looks like it's part of a private club."
At the end of the day, residents in both towers can retreat to one or two bedroom suites with or without dens. "There's a combination of traditional and more modern plans," says Ms. Ng.
For example, some models will offer formal, enclosed kitchens with breakfast areas, while other designs will incorporate casual, open-concept or galley-style cooking areas. "Those are more entertaining kitchens because everything is on display," adds Ms. Ng.
The standard finishes package will consist of sleek, European-style custom cabinetry, plank laminate flooring and granite kitchen counters.
To reduce residents' energy consumption, units will include "all off" light switches, dual flush toilets and Energy Star appliances, such as front-loading washing machine. As well, hydro will be separately metered.
Monthly fees will be 44 and 48 cents per square foot for the first and second tower respectively.
Parking will be an additional $30,000 and a locker $3,500.
The first tower is slated for occupancy in 2013 and the second tower in 2014.