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SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2016 SECTION H CE ON2 Life at the city’s highest home address Penthouses at Aura at make the claim to fame of being the tallest of the tall

ELAINE SMITH SPECIAL TO THE STAR On foggy nights, the lights atop down- town skyscraper condo Aura seem to hover in space like extra-terres- trial visitors. The distinctive pattern, using 1.24 kilo- metres of LED lights that shine through the night’s dark hours, ensures that North America’s tallest residential tower is rec- ognizable from the edges of the GTA. And further. “I’ve had friends call me from Victoria Park to say, ‘Hey, I can see your building from here,’ ” said Nicolas Lin, 33, who bought his 870-square-foot condo on the ninth floor for $570,000. Aura is the final building in the College Park development, at the northwest cor- ner of Gerrard and Yonge Sts., and the last of its 994 condos — the 79th-floor pent- houses — are now for sale, ranging in price up to $3.7 million. The building’s record height was not part of the original planning, said Berardo Graziani, princi- pal at Graziani + Corazza Architects Inc. of Mississauga. The site was initially slat- ed to be home to two towers, but after examining the feasibility, the impact and the marketing of two towers, the archi- tects and developers, Canderel Residen- RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR tial, decided that a single tower would A sweeping view of the city skyline and Lake Ontario is among the highlights of the penthouses at Aura. Left, Julie Robinson, director of project have less impact management and construction for the building’s developer, Canderel Residential, and Aura condo owner Nicolas Lin. “It’s exciting to have the tallest residen- tial building, but I’m most satisfied by the space, touch all sectors of the market, user than the residential floors, and the positive things it has done for the city by Graziani said, with studios, lofts and two- commercial tenants were very sensitive opening up Yonge St.,” Graziani said. storey units among the other offerings. to the need for the storefronts to appear “Now, Yonge St. is full of development The construction of the building, the open during construction. Instead of and is being revitalized. Who knows how fourth tallest building in Canada — with ground-level hoardings, we had overhead long this will be the tallest residential only , Trump In- protection to achieve that open-for-busi- building?” ternational Hotel and Tower, and Scotia ness look. The projects have also brought new re- Plaza ahead of it — was an exercise in “We had many structural challenges, in- tail life to a failing stretch of what was problem-solving since it was done in cluding rebuilding and maintaining a once listed as the world’s longest street three phases. Essentially, Aura is three ramp to service the entire block and pro- (until 1999, when it was separated from buildings stacked one on top of another. viding 24-hour access and using a trans- North America’s Hwy. 11 at Barrie) with shops and cafés, The retail podium was built first, fol- fer slab eight-feet deep that allowed us to tallest residential plus an additional supermarket to meet lowed by floors six to 58; the upper stories continue construction despite the podi- building, Aura, is the needs of the influx of new residents. formed the third building. Each phase um being open. We were essentially recognizable from Canderel, the building’s developer, has separate elevators. building a vertical world.” the edges of the broke ground for the project in 2010, and “It was interesting, exciting and chal- Graziani said the team was regularly GTA and further the five-storey retail podium opened in lenging,” said Julie Robinson, the direc- breaking new ground, figuratively speak- due to its LED 2012. The first residents moved into the tor of project management and construc- ing. lights that shine building in August 2013. Aura’s 994 units, tion for Canderel’s residential group. through the covering a million square feet of living “The retail podium had a different end AURA continued on H6 night’s dark hours.

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> WHAT THEY GOT CONDOS

Etobicoke Location: 245 Dalesford Rd., Unit 115, Park Lawn Rd. and the Queensway Asking price: $319,000 Selling price: $310,000 Previous selling price: $265,000 (2008) Size: About 720 square feet Parking: One owned underground space, no locker Maintenance fees: $381.51per month Taxes: $1,800 (2014) BRETT BUNDLOCK/TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO Bedrooms:1plus 1 It took developer Canderel Residential close to five years to build the Aura condominium tower at Yonge and Gerrard Sts. Bathrooms:1 Days on the market: 38 Situated on a cul-de-sac in a midrise building, this condo unit took just over a month to sell for 97 per cent of what Project keeps breaking new ground was asked. “This is a great unit and affordably AURA from H1 after retail condo owners in the low- priced for first-time buyers,” says list- > AURA BY THE NUMBERS er level say they were misled by ing agent Irene Kaushansky. “The “What had been done in the past promises of a PATH connection that building is surrounded by green space, had to be thrown out the window,” would give them access to shoppers. with a rooftop deck and garden. The Graziani said. “Everything was rein- 1.24 55 The allegations have not been prov- Kilometres of lights adorning Au- Number of trades that contributed unit features a walkout to an east- vented and rethought.” en in court. ra’s crown to construction facing balcony from the living room, The effort has paid off, if satisfied Aura’s five-storey podium includes with a treetop and skyline view. It also residents are any measuring stick. 1.65 273 retailers Marshall’s, Bed Bath & Be- boasts a spacious den, ideal as a home Lorraine Manryk, who lives on the Millions of square feet of resi- Height of the building in metres yond. As well, it has the largest loca- office or guest bedroom.” 28th floor, and Lin each bought con- dential, retail, amenity and parking tion of Madonna’s Hard Candy Fit- The building has easy access to the dominium units at Aura before con- spaces 645 ness chain where all Aura residents Gardiner Expressway, is just steps struction began. Cost of the project, in millions of receive free memberships. away from a park, and close to Park Lin was among the first occupants 2 dollars “I love the fitness centre,” Lin said. Lawn Rd. and the Queensway, where of the building, while Manryk had to Number of postal codes covered “It’s amazing.” there is shopping and places to eat. wait 12 months, since her unit was by the building 10,000 Manryk agreed. “The equipment is Amenities in the building include an located near an elevator. Metric tons of rebar shipped to amazing and there’s anything you exercise room, a party/meeting room “I’m a second-time buyer with Can- 3.5 site, the equivalent of 4,400 cars want: a Booster Juice bar, hot yoga, and visitor parking. derel,” Manryk said. “I lived in Col- Number of years to complete and it’s all included.” concrete and rebar placement 83,000 Unit has: den, living room and dining lege Park II previously and buying Metres of concrete poured Aura’s own amenities appeal to room with laminate floor; open-con- here is the best thing I ever did.” 4.5 buyers and owners: a cyber café; a cept kitchen with breakfast bar, walk- While she enjoyed the views from Number of years under construc- 300,000 mini-theatre that can be rented for in pantry and granite counters; master the model penthouse suite during an tion Weight, in pounds, of the steel private events; party rooms; guest bedroom with broadloom floor and open house late last year, she’s very forming the building’s crown suites; and a fifth-floor outdoor patio large closet; four-piece bathroom. happy with her home’s view. 21 with barbecues and a waterfall. Listing agents: Irene Kaushansky and Both owners were drawn to the Number of elevators in the building Source: Canderel Online forums allow Aura residents Philip Brown, Keller Williams Neigh- building largely because of its loca- to leave notes for the concierge and bourhood Realty, Brokerage, tion. report repairs online; as well it’s a 416-236-1392; ireneandphilip.com “It’s five minutes to the subway, and marketplace to sell unwanted pos- I work at Ryerson University, which Yonge, Gerrard, Bay and College Sts. ring to the building’s underground sessions. Residents’ key fobs give is also five minutes away,” Lin said. The three-acre park is the focus of a connection to College subway sta- them access to common areas and “Living on Yonge St. also means we $3-million re-make by the developer. tion, which allows residents to take their own residential floors — an get to see all the action there.” Aura connects to the TTC’s subway the TTC without walking outdoors. added layer of security. Also nearby is Barbara Ann Scott system. “I’ve worn heels in a snow- But a proposed link to the city’s “The amenities make a big differ- Park, a forgotten expanse of green storm to go to a concert at Roy underground PATH system is in dis- ence, a very prestigious difference,” space between buildings that line Thomson Hall,” Manryk said, refer- pute and a lawsuit has been launched Manryk said. “I like the luxury, too.”

The Princess DUBAI CLAIMS Tower, at centre left, stands tallest THE WORLD’S among her royal family of the TALLEST world’s tallest ALL-RESIDENTIAL residences. Swansea Location: 1900 Lake Shore Blvd. W., HIGHRISES Unit 1707, Ellis Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd. W. ELAINE SMITH STAR TOUCH Asking price: $376,900 Selling price: $370,000 1. Princess Tower: 101floors Previous selling price: $297,958 (2011) 2. 23 Marina: 88 floors Size: More than 800 square feet 3. Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid: 88 Parking: one exclusive underground floors space, no locker 4. Elite Residence: 87 floors Maintenance fees: $621.28 per month 5. The Torch: 86 floors Taxes: $2,458 (2015) Source: Council on Tall Buildings Bedrooms: 2 and Urban Habitat (ctubh.org) Bathrooms: 2 Days on the market:1 Located in south Swansea, overlook- ing Lake Ontario, this condo unit was on the market for only one day before it DREAMSTIME sold for 98 per cent of the asking price. “Every window in this luxury condo suite faces the water. It features a two- bedroom, two-bathroom split-floor > CONDO LAW plan and is fresh and modern, with director must disclose the situation. questing an order requiring the lected from the owners will likely be black and pearl granite counters, a This must be done at the meeting board to take such steps. Alternative- insufficient to meet the corpora- large laundry room, large closets, high when the contract is first considered. ly an owner could make a court appli- tion’s financial obligations if the con- Gerry ceilings throughout, and a walk-in The director cannot be present when cation for the appointment of an ad- tributions are based on a budget Hyman closet in the master bedroom. Close to the board discusses the contract. ministrator under section 131 of the which does not correctly show the High Park, this suite also has views of act for the purpose of reclaiming the total obligation. Grenadier Pond,” says listing agent Romantic Our management company has management of the corporation. Mary Semen. pretty much hijacked our board A further possibility would be for at If reserve fund expenditures di- The highrise building has easy access of directors, to the extent that the least 15 per cent of the owners to minish the fund to an amount to the Gardiner Expressway and is a relationship manager runs the corporation’s requisition an owners’ meeting for a that is less than the amount re- short walk to Lake Ontario, the board- affairs. The manager now insists vote on the removal of those direc- quired, as indicated by the re- walk and Martin Goodman Trail. on first receiving all communica- tors who are not willing to reestab- serve fund study, should the defi- Building amenities are a concierge, a could create tions intended for the directors lish the board’s management author- ciency be made up by a special gym, a party/meeting room, a security from condo owners. But the mes- ity. Removal of a director requires an assessment or by an increase in guard and visitor parking. board conflict sages do not reach the board. affirmative vote of owners of more future common expense contri- Unit has: foyer with ceramic-tile floor What can we do? than 50 per cent of the units. butions? Can special assess- and closet; living room with hardwood There is a rumour that one of our The Condominium Act specifies ments be paid in a number of an- floor and walkout to balcony; dining board members and our superin- that the board shall manage the af- Our condo corporation has a nual installments? room with hardwood floor; kitchen tendent are in an amorous rela- fairs of the corporation. The manag- mortgage, but the budget pre- The deficiency can be made up ei- with breakfast bar; master bedroom tionship. Does that create a con- er’s role is to advise the board and to pared by the board only reflects ther by a special assessment or by a with hardwood floor and four-piece flict for the board member in vot- carry out its instructions. the interest payments. Our audit- common-expense contribution in- bathroom; second bedroom with dou- ing on matters that would affect The directors should be advised ed financial statements will show crease provided that the latter meth- ble closet and hardwood floor. the superintendent? that, in failing to manage the corpo- principal and interest payments od will produce the funds necessary Listing agent: Mary Semen, Sutton If a matter such as the renewal of ration, they are in breach of the act of $120,000 for the current year, to meet expected reserve-fund ex- Group Realty Systems Inc., Brokerage, the superintendent’s contract comes and in breach of the requirement but the budget will show only the penditures when required. 905-896-3333; suttonrealty.com before the board for a vote, and if the that they act honestly and in good interest portion of approximately Lawyer Gerry Hyman is a former presi- Compiled by Allison Harness from board determines that the amorous faith. one-half of that amount. Is this dent of the Canadian Condominium information that is publicly available. relationship exists and constitutes a If the board fails to take steps to satisfactory? Institute and author of Condominium Send recent homes sales to sold- material direct or indirect interest of rectify the situation, a unit owner The budget should show both the Handbook. Send questions to ger- [email protected]. Not all submissions the director in the contract exten- could make a court application un- principal and interest payments. The [email protected] or fax to his atten- can be used. sion — which is questionable — the der section 134 of the condo act re- common-expense contributions col- tion at 416-925-8492.