206 Bloor Street W

To call the Museum House a luxury condo building wouldn’t even be doing it justice. Rather, the mid-rise structure that hovers directly over the ROM is perfect for buyers looking to live a lavish lifestyle, and even better for those who don’t mind the sight of the crystal.

The crystal was, after all, there first. That controversial, yet exciting addition to the ROM was built in 2007, with the Museum House condos following suit five years after that, in 2012. Thoughtfully created by Page & Steele and the IBI Group, 206 Bloor Street West is 19 storeys and home to just 26 Annex condos — you do the math.

So the Toronto condos for sale here aren’t inexpensive, but rather they cater to a set of prospective buyers with a certain style, and a certain budget in mind. These homes also afford its residents with a comfortable lifestyle: a driveway is in place so that residents can be let off in front of the building’s front doors, while amenities include a concierge, 24-hour valet, a chauffeur and pet sitters.

The Museum House is even prepared to make residents feel at ease if the power ever decides to go out, as the building is equipped with its own generator. And to top it all off, a gym, guest suites, and a party room are all part of the package deal at 206 Bloor West.

While the overall building is nice enough, it’s the units that deserve to be described in detail. After all, a good many of the homes span entire floors, while penthouses cover more than one level. At the very most, two suites share a floor with one another. In terms of actual sizes, units are outfitted with two to four bedrooms and range from around 1,600 to 5,700 square feet.

One rather remarkable penthouse in the building features a wall of windows, a 1,300 square foot terrace, and 5,700 square feet of indoor living space. This palatial suite also boasts coffered ceilings, a private elevator and circular staircase, and marble everywhere, plus a sauna, a music room, and a Zen garden.

Another unit features multiple fireplaces and a 600 square foot terrace, while other notable features that vary throughout the building include Miele or SubZero appliances, stone or hardwood flooring, marble-clad bathrooms, and even heated floors in en suite bathrooms.

All of the units, however, are elegant, modern, and crisp. They boast floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows and ceiling heights that reach up to 11 feet, and elevators open right into the suites.

Not only do residents of the Museum House reside steps from the ROM, but they can also walk over to the Gardiner Museum or the Bata Shoe Museum in no time at all. Clearly, those who enjoy soaking in culture on a free Sunday afternoon will gravitate toward the homes at 206 Bloor West.

Shopping fanatics are also in luck, thanks to the building’s proximity to Yorkville. In this neighbourhood, even those who love to spend may want to keep a close eye on their bank statements, as the shops here are about as luxurious as they get.

As for groceries, an expansive Whole Foods is located just 500 metres from the Museum House. Residents can stock up on wholesome prepared foods or organic produce when they don’t feel like dining out. Another great option is Metro, which is a 10-minute walk or a 3-minute drive away, at the corner of Bloor and Robert Street.

While some residents will want to make good use of the building’s chauffeur service, others prefer to explore the area without using a vehicle. And even though the area is extremely walkable, residents will love living so close to the subway as well.

St. George and Bay Stations are about equidistant from 206 Bloor West, both of which offer access to trains heading east and west, while the former also connects to the north-south moving Yonge-University-Spadina line.

Those heading out in vehicles of their own can use Bloor to head east or west, and Avenue Road will certainly come in handy when trying to reach either the downtown core or midtown Toronto. For longer trips, the Don Valley Parkway is also nearby, which can be accessed by heading east along Bloor. From there, the 401 is a quick trip north while the Gardiner Expressway is just to the south.

Even cyclists living at the Museum House are in luck thanks to the bike lanes along Bloor Street. Additionally, St. George is a great route for bikers heading south, as it’s both safe and scenic.