Take a stroll through Toronto’s Liberty Village today and it might be hard to imagine what the area looked like just over 100 years ago. Once home to two correctional facilities, various warehouses and a bomb-making munitions factory during the First and Second World Wars, Liberty Village has shed its industrial roots to become a highly-dense neighbourhood dotted with modern condos and apartment buildings.
After two decades of residential and commercial development, the 43-acre site continues to grow with new public amenities and several more residential projects planned. These include a 52,813-square-foot grocery store at Ordnance Street and Strachan Avenue and infrastructure connections like the recently-opened Garrison Crossing pedestrian bridge. As for residential projects, we’ve put together a list of condominium and rental buildings recently introduced to the area.
1. Liberty Market Tower
Developer: Lifetime Developments
Location: 171 East Liberty Street
Priced from: $500,000’s
Nestled in the heart of Liberty Village, Liberty Market Tower by Lifetime Developments is within steps of the many shops, cafes and restaurants within the community. Convenient amenities include a Metro grocery store across the street, Starbucks, CIBC branch and West Elm.
Designed by Toronto-based Wallman Architects, Liberty Market Tower rises 28 storeys above the last developable parcel of land in Liberty Village. The sleek exterior blends clean lines and modern glass with classic brick architecture, and is paired with refined urban interiors by Cecconi Simone. A total of 281 units are available and include one- to three-bedroom, open-concept layouts. Over 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities will be on hand for residents to indulge in, complete with stunning views overlooking Lake Ontario.
2. XO Condos
Developer: Lifetime Developments and Pinedale Properties Ltd.
Location: 1221 King Street West
Priced from: $923,900
XO Condos is located just outside (directly across the street) from Liberty Village’s boundaries, but like the community, it too blends the past and the present. Although a small commercial strip and McDonald’s restaurant have been demolished to make way for the project, the developer has spared the Bank of British North America building that sits at the corner of Dufferin Street and King Street West. Designed by architects Ellis & Connery, the structure dates back to 1906 and features elegant Edwardian architecture.
Surrounding the heritage building will be a contemporary 14-storey condominium designed by Turner Fleischer Architects, characterized by inset balconies and expansive glass complemented with classic brickwork. Inside are 307 units carefully curated by Tomas Pearce Interior Design Consulting Inc. with soothing colour palettes and high-end finishes. Amenities will include an outdoor terrace and barbecue space, fitness centre, lounge, kid’s zone, co-working/study space and ground-floor retail.
3. Playground Condos at Garrison Point
Developer: Cityzen Development Group, Fernbrook Homes and Greybrook Realty Partners
Location: 30 Ordnance Street
Priced from: $910,990
Located on the eastern edge of Liberty Village in the Garrison Point neighbourhood, Playground Condos is situated on a four-acre park and offers unobstructed views of the Toronto skyline and nearby Fort York. The 35-storey condominium houses 432 units ranging from studios to two-bedroom-plus-den layouts with an impressive list of standard features including nine- to ten-foot ceilings, granite countertops and Blomberg appliances.
Amenities include a wood and marble-clad lobby overseen by a concierge, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a party room, complete with a chef’s kitchen and comfortable seating areas. Ideal for families, Playground also offers a kids’ lounge with plenty of space to run around, read quietly or work on an art project. Plus, the theatre room is the perfect spot for a cozy movie marathon with friends.
4. Novus Apartments
Photo: James Bombales
Developer: BentallGreenOak Residential Services
Location: 45 Strachan Avenue
Priced from: Contact developer
Developed by BentallGreenOak Residential Services and designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, the Novus Apartment complex will add at least 424 units to the city’s much needed rental inventory when construction wraps up in late 2020.
The project consists of a pair of high-rise towers anchored by a multi-level podium. This area will be home to a mix of commercial and retail spaces fronting both Ordnance Street and Strachan Avenue. A 52,813-square-foot grocery store is expected to take up the second level retail space and a paid membership gym is planned for the smaller space on the third floor.
5. Kings Club
Developer: First Capital and Capreit
Location: 1100 King Street West
Priced from: $2,165 per month
Kings Club is perfect for those looking for the condo lifestyle without the mortgage. The purpose-built rental building by First Capital and Capreit offers a great location along King Street West, with a host of retailers including Longo’s, Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart and Kids & Company outside its front door.
Within the building, you’ll find all the amenities you would expect from a condominium. These include a large party room, swimming pool, gym, rooftop patio, business centre and yoga room. The same is true for the rental units, which are all equipped with stainless steel appliances, in-suite laundry, premium window coverings, two-toned kitchen islands and glass shower surrounds in bathrooms (as per plan). And the best part is, this building is completely move-in ready!
