On The Map
Boutique-style Leaside Manor opts for quality over quantity
Toronto’s t rendy Leaside neighbourhood is changing with the times as it tries to keep luxury living within reach of Toronto families.
Leaside Manor, located near the heart of the flourishing community, is a boutique- style midrise that opted for quality over quantity by limiting the number of units to just 38 and turning to technology to keep costs as low as possible in the pricey neighbourhood.
“This is the most luxurious building we have ever built, with many electronic and green features incorporated for convenient and sustainable living,” says Shane Baghai, chief executive of Shane Baghai Group of Companies.
Baghai describes the project as “very exclusive.” Prices start, he says, “from the low millions of dollars, which is great value when you consider that the cost to buy and renovate a postwar home in the area is more than double that.”
Around half the units at 3 Southvale Drive have been purchased by a range of buyers including young professionals, families and empty nesters, according to Sharon Baghai, director of operations for the developer (and Shane’s daughter). The area will only become more desirable over the next few years, with the opening of the Eglinton Crosstown light- rail transit system.
“Leaside is an evolving area, and most shopping is within walking distance,” she says. “Laird is becoming a High Street in every meaning of the word — 100 per cent of errands can be achieved — and the area has a walk-score of 80.”
The seven-storey building offers units that are larger than other condos in the area and features 12 differ
ent variations of two- and three- bedroom ( plus den) configurations. Large private balconies or terraces provide views of the leafy neighbourhood, units come with a barbecue, electrical blinds, an 85-inch TV above an electric fireplace and Ev-ready parking. There’s also a pet grooming room on-site.
The building uses 24-hour electronic surveillance and an e- concierge system to keep maintenance costs lower. The remote monitoring system verifies guests and
delivery people and guides them to the elevator, which then automatically stops at the appropriate floor. Other amenities include an exercise room, conference room and a dining room with kitchen.
Several green features have also been built into the design, to lower the building’s carbon footprint and energy expenditures. These include a green roof, a solar energy system, water-saving plumbing and LED lighting. Low E glass windows and ex
terior insulation with a high R-value combine to minimize heat loss from the building, along with the additional expenses it can bring.
Construction is almost complete on Leaside Manor and residents have begun moving in. The remaining suites range in price from $1.3 million to $1.8 million.
The biggest perk of Leaside Manor might be the neighbourhood itself. Established in the early 1900s as a modest collection of homes, Leaside has evolved into a
vibrant midtown community with a small- town feel. Stroller- dotted sidewalks and stores where shopkeepers know your name produce a family-friendly appeal that has made Leaside a rising star in the city’s real- estate market.
The neighbourhood also boasts a lively community centre, loads of green space and close proximity to the Don Valley Parkway and Highway 401 for easy access into and out of the city.
Of course, the age of
COVID- 19 means people aren’t travelling as much as they used to, something Sharon Baghai says they have taken into account in their plans for the project. “We designed our units so that if a purchaser wishes to convert their den or any room into a workspace, we can accommodate this,” she says.
For more information, visit the building, open for viewings seven days a week, from 2 to 4 p. m., or leasidemanors.ca.