On The Map
Westerly condo slated for islington and bloor in etobicoke
When Westerly, a condo slated for Islington and bloor in etobicoke, went up for sale, it had a few knocks against it.
“We launched the day they announced the second lockdown in November,” says Samson Fung, vice-president of marketing at Tridel, the developer behind the project. Still, he says, buyers showed interest.
“back in March when there was so much uncertainty over COVID, people were putting the brakes on everything,” he recalls. “Now they’re Covid-fatigued and ready.”
He believes location has something to do with it, too: “The drive for people to get out of the city has been getting stronger.”
While not exactly the boondocks, Westerly will take advantage of dundas Connects, the transportation initiative that will see a bus rapid Transit (brt) system — and eventually a Light rail system — installed along a 20-kilometre stretch of dundas Street from etobicoke to Hamilton.
As is, residents can hop on the subway at Islington station (“which is being connected, so it continues as far as Oakville,” says Fung) and be in downtown Oakville in 20 minutes.
Miway buses currently also run along dundas and can directly deposit commuters at the Square One shopping centre in nearby Mississauga.
Westerly residents will also benefit from proximity to the sparkling new 360,000-square-foot etobicoke Civic Centre being developed at Kipling and dundas, on the lands of the old Westwood Theatre.
Widened sidewalks, plantings and safety barriers for cyclists will revitalize the area.
The building will house cultural institutions including a library and an art gallery, as well as childcare facilities and a recreation room. (And of course city staff offices and council chambers.)
The building has been designed by Kirkor Architects and Planners. For a contemporary feel, says Fung, Westerly features “a precast element that goes up and down the building to create a diamond-cut pattern.”
Suite prices run between $490,000 and $1.2 million and range in size from 518 to 1,361 square feet.
“We’re getting a mix of investors and first-time buyers,” says Fung.
“We are looking towards affordability, so there is a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The split is about 60 per cent one bedrooms; two bedrooms make up 25 per cent; and 10 per cent three bedrooms.”
expansive windows will usher natural light into the suites, which have been styled by II by IV design. Kitchens will have chrome fixtures and granite or quartz-slab countertops and backsplashes, along with energy-efficient appliances. bathrooms have frameless glass showers or soaker tubs.
“This will be a Tridel Connect building,” adds Fung, noting the developer implemented a similar proprietary smart system at its three-tower Islington Terrace condo.
That community, which brings more than 1,200 suites to the neighbourhood and is just down the street from Westerly, is sold out.
digital services in Westerly — designed “to promote health and wellness,” says Fung — include touchless entry into the building, as well as smart phone access to common areas, electronic parcel lockers and wall pads in every suite that control heating and cooling systems and connect to the concierge.
High-speed internet is another plus bundled into the condo’s maintenance fees.
“It will also have a digital-lock courier system, where the courier can go to a bank of lockers and drop off packages,” says Fung.
“We’re looking into putting refrigeration units in those lockers because grocery delivery has been increasing significantly.
“We have to grow with the times.”
but Fung is especially proud of the air quality in each unit.
“We’re adding uv air filters in the HVAC systems of all of our buildings,” he says of the energy recovery Ventilation system that draws fresh air into each suite and removes stale air. “every unit is sealed on its own. you’re not sharing air between hallways.”
Common areas, including the lobby, where a dramatic stalactite-like chandelier made of metal and acrylic resin will hang, will also have continuous fresh air, he says.
The HALO-LED in-duct air purifiers from environmental products manufacturer RGF will reduce airborne and surface contaminants and pollutants.
The terrace has barbecue and dining areas; there’s a yoga studio, fitness centre, leash-free dog run and party room, while a multipurpose youth room with elegant panelled walls, a stone backsplash, millwork and comfy bucket chairs is another family-friendly amenity.
Meanwhile, an elevator ride to the fifth-floor rooftop terrace leads to an outdoor kids’ play area, meaning parents won’t have to leave the building when their little ones want to let off steam.
units start at $490,000. For more information, visit tridel.com.