On the Map
The old Gretzky’s making way for a new development
Over the past 20 years, the Entertainment District has evolved from a neighbourhood of dance clubs, bars and touristy restaurants into a forest of condo towers filled with young professionals. A new condo in pre- sales at the corner of Mercer and Blue Jays Way exemplifies the shift. For 26 years, the site was home to Wayne Gretzky’s, a sprawling, fast- casual dining room with a sports bar called Oasis on the roof. By 2024, it will be a 47- storey development called 55 Mercer.
“We’re tailoring 55 Mercer to people between their 20s and early 40s who are working in the tech scene that’s booming around the Financial District,” says Gavin Cheung, vice- president of Centrecourt, the development firm behind 55 Mercer. “The buyer is likely someone at the front end of their career but still looking for touches of luxury.”
The lobby will be soaring and hotel- like, designed by the interiors firm figure3. Wood and brass will line the walls while clean-lined, contemporary furniture from Casa Fendi, the homeware line of the high- end Italian fashion house, will decorate the space.
A similar tone will prevail in the parking lot. CentreCourt has established a part
nership with Pfaff, a tony car dealership, allowing residents to pay into a carshare service furnished with brands such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche. All models will be electric, and there will be charging stations in the garage. If a resident wants a car that’s not available at 55 Mercer but otherwise in the rental fleet, a Pfaff staffer will drive it down and pick it up for a fee.
“We want this to be a landmark project for us,” says Cheung. “Centrecourt spends thousands of hours each year searching for great development sites. But the site on Mercer has been at the top of our list for almost a decade. Space in the neighbourhood is running out, yet there’s so much demand to live there.”
Although there are twoand three- bedrooms available, most of the 543 units are studios and one- bedrooms, starting at 370 square feet.
As for the amenities, “we’re trying to provide a lot of value,” says Cheung. “We want to create spaces that are always in use, not a burden that drives up condo fees. So we’re planning what we call the Mercer Club, which will consist of 18,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space spread across three levels.”
For fitness, The Club will include four private Peleton Pods, quiet rooms set up with bikes that have built- in flatscreen monitors to stream either live or on-demand spin classes. The Pods will be adjacent to both a high-intensity cardio area that overlooks an outdoor dog run and a sauna for soothing muscles post-workout.
For those who prefer team sports, there will be an outdoor basketball court, beside an open-air fitness area tricked out like a jungle gym, with pull- up bars and other resistance equipment. For those who prefer mellower, but still social, forms of exercise, there will be a yoga zone.
“There will be a co- working space,” says Cheung, “something that young professionals are demanding these days, with their 24/ 7, always- on lifestyles. They need a reliable, creative space to work through problems and meet with others that doesn’t involve going to a crowded Starbucks.”
The area is laid out to have boardrooms, more informal gathering areas and private banquettes, catering to both group and solo sessions. It will be next to a private dining room and bar for after-hours socializing. In summer, people can relax on patio seating by the barbecues. The terrace faces west, ideal for catching sunsets.
Prices starting at $550,000.
For more information, visit the sales centre at 10 Mercer St. or 55mercercondos.com.