155 St Clair Avenue W

For prospective buyers who want modern exclusivity and comfort without the congestion of downtown Toronto living, The Avenue Condos at 155 St. Clair Avenue may be the perfect choice. Completed as of 2012, the midtown building features a stunning facade of glass, stone and clay, striking a balance between modern architecture and classical design.

The building’s lobby is equally striking from an architectural standpoint, boasting a balance between opulence and sensibility with its marble floors, limed oak paneling, and a central chandelier finished in antique brass. One would expect nothing less from the architectural firm Page + Steele, which has been designing buildings in Toronto since 1926.

Standing well above other buildings on the block at 19 storeys, a southward view from The Avenue Condos offers a spectacular view of downtown Toronto and Lake Ontario from Lower Forest Hill.

With 73 midtown Toronto condos in the building, residents can experience the benefits of a shared living space with other up-and-coming Torontonians, while avoiding the overcrowding experienced in other condominiums further downtown. Of course, the low number of suites means that Toronto condos for sale in this building can be a rare find. For residents who have high regard for privacy, direct access to certain suites from the elevator provide further enticements.

Ranging from 825 to 3,894 square feet, units offer a wide variety of modern living spaces that are beautifully furnished, quite spacious, and are well lit by the large windows that adorn the building.

Those looking to move in have their choice of a studio layout, and one or two bedroom suites complete with two bathrooms, comfortable dens and aesthetic kitchen designs. Many of the suites feature balconies and/or terraces, while the most luxurious suites boast libraries, family rooms, galleries and walk-in closets.

While elegant homes with spectacular views may be enough to attract prospective buyers, the true value of living at The Avenue is access to the building’s spectacular amenities. The first floor of the building features a dining club and lounge, a reception room and a catering kitchen. The second floor offers residents a spa with an indoor pool and whirlpool, a massage room, a fitness room, and a yoga studio.

There are also two guest suites and a large visitor parking lot in addition to the one solely for residents, as well as a full car wash service in the building. Between the upscale units and modern amenities, residents will be hard pressed to find a building that serves their needs in such style and convenience.

Perhaps the best aspect of The Avenue is it’s location, as Casa Loma has been one of the preeminent gems of midtown residential Toronto for quite some time.

Directly across the street from the building are Glenn Gould Park and Amsterdam Square, and if one were so inclined, the expansive David A. Balfour Park is only a short drive, bike or TTC trip away. Schools in the area include Forest Hill Collegiate, Upper Canada College, The Avenue Roads Art School and Brown Junior Public School.

For weekend or afternoon entertainment, residents could visit nearby Castle Loma, the Spadina House Museum or the Lonsdale Art Gallery on Spadina, as well as experiencing the boutiques in Forest Hill Village or going to the close by Cineplex on Yonge Street.

Grocery stores nearby include The Kitchen Table on Spadina, Loblaws on Yonge and The Market by Longo’s at Imperial Plaza (as well as an LCBO). For eating out, plenty of restaurants are in the neighborhood, whether you’re feeling like a hamburger from Holy Chuck, or an upscale dining experience at Scaramouche.

But the unseen hero of the location at 155 St. Clair Avenue is the lack of traffic and congestion found in real estate closer to downtown. While rush-hour and construction projects seem to permeate every corner of the city, Avenue Road and St. Clair Avenue is seemingly less busy than most major intersections, despite it’s central location.

Transportation to and from The Avenue Condos is a breeze. TTC Buses and Streetcars come right to the intersection where the building is located, and the St. Clair Subway Station is a short walk or transfer away.

The building is also equidistant (about 3 kilometers) from the Don Valley Parkway and Allen Road, both of which are handy if residents are looking to drive to the Gardiner Expressway or the 401, and parking garage access to Avenue Road or St. Clair Avenue is simple.

As for cyclists, the area is quite flat, making quick trips on a bike easy and convenient.