80 Marine Parade Drive

Building a soaring glass tower may not be innovative anymore, but designing a cylindrical one certainly is. And the 30-storey condo by Graziani + Corazza Architects at 80 Marine Parade Drive doesn’t just have one rounded side either — it’s circular all the way around.

Also known as the Waterscapes Condos, 80 Marine Parade Drive was completed in 2014 and contains 344 Etobicoke condos. A green roof is situated atop the building’s 4-storey podium, a nod to the developer’s environmental mindedness. Monarch Group, which happens to be a member of the Canada Green Building Council, built this particular edifice to be more energy efficient. And while residents can feel good living in a building that was built with the planet in mind, there’s also the added bonus that this energy efficiency will save them money in the long run.

Residents can also save on a gym membership by making use of the fitness centre at 80 Marine Parade Dr, and the indoor pool is another great place to exercise. Best of all, there are his and hers change rooms with saunas, lockers, and showers.

Not all of the amenities at the Waterscapes Condos require breaking a sweat, though. Residents can also relax on the rooftop terrace, watch a flick in the theatre, or host a meeting in the business centre or a social gathering in the party room. But that’s not all: there are also two guest suites, visitor parking, bike storage, a pet-washing room, and a 24-hour concierge.

Single professionals will be just as pleased with 80 Marine Parade Dr as large families. One-bedroom suites may start at around 500 square feet, but the largest Etobicoke condos for sale here span a staggering 3,600 square feet. While sizes may differ, one thing is for certain: the shape of building means interesting layouts and unique, rounded walls.

Energy efficient features in individual suites come in the form of double glazed, low emission, insulated glass windows, plus high efficiency appliances by Energy Star. The laminate flooring and granite kitchen countertops may have only been chosen for their appearances, but that seems to be just fine with residents.

Those hoping to score some private outdoor space should note that not all units come with balconies. The penthouses definitely contain outdoor space, and even go so far as to boast gas hookups for barbecues. Other penthouse features include 10-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, whirlpool tubs, and not one but two parking spaces.

Not only is 80 Marine Parade Drive situated in the idyllic Etobicoke neighbourhood of Mimico, but the building also happens to back onto Humber Bay Shores Park. This waterfront park is home to trails that lead west to Humber Bay Parks East and West, and east across the Humber Bay Arch Bridge to Sunnyside Beach.

Residents living at 80 Marine Parade Dr are surrounded by cafés and restaurants. The Village at Westlake is also just a short walk away, which consists of 60,000 square feet of commercial space, and is home to a Metro and a Shoppers Drug Mart. And those who have larger families to feed will love living so close to Costco, which takes around 10 minutes to reach by car.

Living a couple of blocks away from an on-ramp for the Gardiner Expressway comes in handy for residents who drive. Using this major east-west highway, drivers can reach Toronto’s Entertainment District in 10 minutes on a good day. During rush hour the drive may take around half an hour, so those heading to events should plan accordingly.

Those who prefer not to drive, on the other hand, can start their journeys at the bus stop near the east end of the building, on Marine Parade Drive. The 66 bus makes a stop here before carrying passengers north to Old Mill Station on the Bloor-Danforth subway line. Another great option is to catch the 501 Streetcar at the Humber Loop, which takes about 10 minutes to reach on foot.