Baker Realty recently tweeted about the soon to be released “City Suites” at One Bloor!  From what we’ve been able to gather, it looks like the floorplans will be available in a variety of sizes ranging from 1 bed to 2 bed plus dens with prices starting in the $500,ooo’s.  Along with the new layouts, we’ll also get to see the new sales centre!

We helped several clients get in early during the initial brokers launch and would be more than happy to do the same for those looking to buy the soon to be release “City Suites”!  If you’d like to be notified on the launch, contact the BloorCondos Team!

UPDATE *We sold this unit in under 6 days making it one of the FIRST sales at Crystal Blu since registering! If you’re thinking of buying here, or have a suite to sell contact the BloorCondos Team!*

The BloorCondos Team has a brand new listing at Crystal Blu!  This one bedroom suite is available on the 15th floor and has views to the west over looking the Manulife Centre.  It’s an open concept layout with 10 foot ceilings and engineered dark hardwood floors. The suite is approximately 600 square feet but having the large ceiling heights (compared to a unit with 8 foot ceiling heights) really adds to the airy feel of space. The kitchen features Scavolini designed cabinetry, flat surface stove top with range, stainless steel fridge and dishwasher as well as a built in microwave under the granite island!  Check out the video and photos below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Crystal Blu comes equipped with an outdoor pool, party and separate meeting room plus a very generous sized gym considering the small footprint of the building.

If you’re interested in setting up a private viewing of this suite, or if you already own one and would like to know how much yours is worth, contact the BloorCondos Team!

Most of the posts on BloorCondos comes from the perspective of a Realtor…for this one we get to hear from an actual (non real estate selling) resident on her experience of how the “Greener Bloor” has changed her perspective on the area!

Enjoy, and don’t forget to check out the photos of Bloor streets new look!  Story and photos by Marisa Falconi!

Living at Yonge and Bloor for 2 years has allowed me to become pretty familiar with the area. Up to date, I have lived all over the downtown core for 7 years, and although I moved away from Yonge and Bloor 2 years ago, I’ve watched it evolve throughout the construction and chaos into its current state. My main question, and a thought I’m sure is on many Torontonians minds: “Was it all worth it?”

In 2006, I had just purchased my first condo at Signatures on Bloor and I couldn’t be more excited about living in one of the hottest spots in the city. A year later, however, I was miserable. Concrete walls blocked my view at all angles and the second I stepped out my front lobby, hoards of people rushed by in a constant, pushy stream. The construction didn’t help ether. I knew the city was attempting to create a greener Bloor, but no amount of “greenifying” was going to justify the jack hammer awakenings every day at 4 am, not to mention what seemed like an endless traffic jam right outside my front door. I knew moving to Yonge and Bloor meant living in the jam-packed fast lane, but I had no idea it meant giving up my peace, tranquility and ability to turn left.

It took me quite a while to admit that living at such a renowned corner might not be as cool and exciting as I had once preached it to be. I realized that Yonge and Bloor is the place to shop, eat, show off, and work… but for me, it definitely was not the place to live. Eventually I gave up trying to get around this obvious fact and moved deeper south into the city, never looking back. That is, until today…

After perusing the wallet table at Holt Renfrew on Bloor (where’d that Marc Jacobs coin-purse I saw yesterday go?!), I took the underground walkway over to The Bay, and accidentally stepped out the wrong exit, landing me smack in front of my old condo. On the rare occasion that I find myself in this area, I duck and cover. A feeling of frustration and anxiety usually washes over me as I remember how annoying it can be to maneuver around honking cars and crazy cyclists. But today, something’s different. The feeling never comes. As I step further from the doorway and take in the view, I feel oddly calm. Actually I feel happy. The sidewalks, made massive by that 4 am construction I spoke about earlier, are magnificent. And get this: People are actually walking at a normal pace! Those who are in a rush are far enough away from the rest of us that their swinging briefcases and splashing coffee cups affect no one. And what is that greenery?!!!

Only two years ago I was mocking the city’s attempt to “greenify” Bloor (No joke – I wrote a 20 page essaycritiquing the hypocrisy of the entire revitalization project, and received an A+ to boot!) But today, I’m humbled to say that it is absolutely stunning. I never would have thought that a simple array of manicured granite boxes could turn out to be so effective. Boasting swirls of green, splashes of red and the subtlest hints of purple, and lined up in paralleled simplicity, these granite planters hyphenate Bloor Street from Church to Yonge creating a whimsical Eden. I just wanted to crawl in one of them and breathe for a while!

I continue walking east, (not in the opposite direction this time), across Bloor toward Church, and I take in the beauty of my once drab neighbourhood. Being a day of overcast, everything here would have been a nasty, grey blur just a few months prior. Today, however, the rain is only emphasizing the colours of the flora, making the giant potted structures look as if they are literally glowing with life. It is absolutely beautiful.

As I near The Marriot at Park Rd. and Bloor, it becomes apparent that something is different: Beddington’s is gone,and in its place is a Longos. Finally there’s a decent grocery store around here! I like Longos Markets because they have everything from the freshest fruits and vegetables (I’m a vegetarian, and although I prefer getting my food from Kensington Market, when I lived at Y&B it wasn’t practical for me to commute that far, so this produce section is a dream for those like me in the area) to the most delicious fresh baked pastries. Sure, their prices tend to be on the higher side (a downfall of big chain stores), but their products are always of the best quality, and I like that they carry “ethnic” and “exotic” items aswell. And since I happened to be craving a chocolate Camino bar, I decided to walk right in. That’s when I saw theStarbucks. All this right across the street from my old home!

Well, I have to admit it. They really came a long way with this area. It used to boast a reputation of being one of the hottest spots in the city to live, and until recently, although it talked the talk, walking the walk wasn’t so hot here. It was grey, drab and boring until you hit either Yorkville or The Village. Now, however, it provides a fantastic segue between bothareas.

Three years ago I would never have imagined reading a book (or sipping a Starbucks!), along Bloor betweenYonge and Church. And although it’s still a busy route for pedestrians going to and fro, that granite walk way is the perfectarea to take in the view, people watch, and just be.

I’m seriously considering moving back here.

Bravo Toronto!

Marisa F.

Chaz on Charles will be the newest condo to launch in the Yorkville neighbourhood!  On Tuesday, the BloorCondos team attended the “brokers only” event for this new project.  Having hardly heard of the condos developer, Jason Fane, we weren’t exactly sure what to expect.  Thankfully there’s good news and there’s better news…

The good news – learning how Mr. Fane has over 40 years of international real estate experience with dozens of apartment and commercial buildings in Toronto and New York State.  The better news – hearing about the fresh concepts him and David McComb of Edenshaw Homes have for the condo!

The big emphasis with Chaz Condos is creating a social neighbourhood.  A lot of the amenities are there to help connect residents of the building. Take for example the “Chaz Club” (pictured above) located on the 36th and 37th floor!  The club will be 2 storeys high with a Grand Room, Lounge and Bar offering panoramic views to the south of the City.  For those with a more competitive side, there will be a state of the art computer gaming arena for residents to battle for gaming glory rights!  A first in Toronto will be it’s 3-D screening room featuring the very latest in 3-D viewing technology.

Chaz will be joining the likes of CASA, X and X2 condos on Charles St.  The location is just far enough on the outer boundary of Yorkville to not be paying the “high-end” price often seen in Yorkville yet still put you in walking distance of all that the luxurious community has to offer!  It’s also steps from the Bloor/Yorkville subway station!

Contact us to buy into this exciting project during the VIP sales period.  All worksheet must be received by August 9th 2010 and on a first come first serve basis!

As construction nears completion at Uptown, the soon-to-be residences have another reason to get excited!  Recently the developer, Pemberton, had a “roof-topping” celebration to thank the trades for the work done thus far.  The 48-storey Art Deco-inspired tower can be seen above rising up from Bloor and Balmuto.  The completion of the roof is another step closer to finishing the projects construction!

A selection of luxurious suites remains on the upper floors, all with panoramic views from large balconies and/or terraces. Sophisticated living is available in suite sizes from 1,270 to 2,110 sq. ft. The remaining units are priced from $947,900 to $2,142,900!

Contact us if you’d like more information on purchasing at the Residences of Uptown!