IN THE CONDO KNOW

I just found out about the most amazing tool for home-shoppers. It’s called “WalkScore®” – and I can see it becoming an important part of the condominium shopping experience. In essence, you can go to www.walkscore.com, type in any address in North America, and find out what amenities are within walking distance of that locale!

At Baker Real Estate Incorporated, we find that condominium buyers of all ages appreciate being able to walk to things. As many condo purchasers are first-time homeowners and some have small children, the ability to push a stroller to run errands is great. Older buyers like not having to use a vehicle to buy bread and milk or go to the dentist.

And I am always extolling the virtues of living in a condominium, just a stroll away from shopping, restaurants and services, so this website is amazingly helpful. Once you key in the address you’re considering, you will see an area map, a few neighbourhood photos and on occasion, the actual home or condo. Often, the site lists some of the walkable amenities in categories, so if schools are important to you, for instance, you can explore those possibilities right away.

Really, a visit to walkscore.com is a must, even just to experience how detailed it is. You can check out what public transportation is available close by, find walking routes and even order an app so you can have this on your smart phone while you shop. Key in your work address and you can access an estimate of how much time and money it will cost to commute from the home address in question. Isn’t that remarkable?

When it comes to new home shopping, it really is about location, location, location – and WalkScore® can help you find the perfect new address!

The Crimson

Our Florida properties continue to sell briskly, and we are thrilled to expand our portfolio to include yet another wonderful community later this spring. Soon, we will launch Crimson Residences in Biscayne Bay, in Miami’s hottest new area, the Design District. This hot area features commercial design venues, and is becoming THE place for interior design and furnishings in South Florida. The pedestrian-friendly Miami Design District is also home to art galleries, artist studios, trendy restaurants and more. The area is across Biscayne Bay from South Beach. Prices begin from the mid-$300,000s. Register for Crimson Residences at www.baker-re.com and watch for updates on this exciting new offering.

In the meantime, we also represent 1200 The Ocean, which is selling very well. Comprised of just 18 luxury condominium residences, this intimate community is situated right on the sand of Hillsboro Beach. Ft. Lauderdale lies to the south and prestigious Boca Raton to the north. The two-bedroom + den and three-bedroom residences are nestled behind a gated entry, and the neighbourhood features glorious tropical landscaping, breathtaking ocean views and a pool right on the beach. Semi-private and private elevator foyers open up directly to the residences, which have lavish kitchens and baths, luxurious finishes and appliances, plus a private “Sky Terrace” for open-air entertaining. Sizes range from 1,825 to 2,430 square feet, prices from the $900,000s. Register now through Baker Real Estate at www.baker-re.com.

1200 The Ocean

The enormity of constructing a new condominium in Toronto is amazing, and when preserving heritage components on a site is involved, it is even more astounding. Next time you are in the area of Yonge Street south of Bloor, take a good look at construction progress on FIVE Condos at St. Joseph. Graywood Developments Ltd. and Mod Developments Inc. have done a spectacular job of installing support trusses, structural steel and soil anchors to brace the historical façade of the 1880s warehouse buildings that will house new retail venues for the development.

The developers are working with Hariri Pontarini Architects for the exterior of the new building, and ERA Architects for the restoration of turn-of-the-century details and iconic brickwork. This is the largest retention of a building facade ever undertaken in Toronto, and you simply have to see it to believe it.

The entire urban neighbourhood is being rejuvenated, and FIVE Condos is an important part of the evolution. When complete, FIVE will be a 45-storey tower and five-storey podium that encompasses several former addresses on St. Joseph and St. Nicholas Streets. You can take a closer look at this landmark project at www.fivecondos.com.

Great Gulf’s at it again – creating yet another head-turning sophisticated high-rise condominium residence in downtown Toronto. Offering luxury living and some of the best views in the city, Yonge + Rich is a 50-storey tower that will rise at 25 Richmond Street East, only a block east of Yonge Street. Talk about a prime Toronto location! Both the Financial and Entertainment Districts are right there, along with the Eaton Centre, subway and PATH System. In fact, Yonge + Rich is within walking distance to so many amenities that it merits a 98 per cent rating on Walkscore.com. And that same website ranks it 100 per cent when it comes to public transportation access.

In addition, Great Gulf promises a residence that will surround residents in ultra-luxury. The developer has enlisted the prominent design firm BURDIFILEK, which is known for creating outstanding retail and hospitality spaces, to create memorable interiors and lead the design of this building’s expansive terraces and landscaping.

Great Gulf is marketing Yonge + Rich as “Yonge at heart and rich in possibilities,” and with prices beginning from just $289,990, it certainly is. Register at www.yongeandrich.com.

At Baker Real Estate Incorporated, we are tremendously excited to represent a variety of gorgeous real estate properties in Florida, which is experiencing a real estate boom. Our joint venture partnership with Miami-based brokerage CVR Realty™ is making it possible for us to provide extensive coverage for many spectacular preconstruction condo towers in the Sunshine State. We have a special focus on the tri-county region of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.

We are working with Jenny Huertas, Managing Broker of CVR Realty™. Jenny speaks Spanish and travels to South America often, which expands on our reach even more from Canada to the United States to Argentina, Columbia, Venezuela and Brazil. Called Baker-CVR, LLC, the newly formed partnership combines decades of pre-construction sales experience and extensive international buyer network development. Our clients gain access to CVR’s Wall Street-calibre analytics, outreach programs and developer relationships. It’s the perfect marriage of local insider knowledge and international capabilities – truly a match made in real estate heaven!

Take a look at some of our fabulous Florida opportunities at www.baker-re.com.

The first weekend in April was particularly exciting for purchasers at “mā condos parc & jardins” in Montreal. The official groundbreaking on April 6, 2013 of this incredible condominium attracted an enthusiastic crowd. Located in Le Triangle area in the heart of the city, mā is set in the midst of a massive award-winning rejuvenation project for which the City of Montreal has pledged $57 million. The district will be home to new green spaces, excellent access to public transit, and pathways that are both pedestrian and bike friendly. By the time suite owners take possession, they will be enjoying the fruits of this transformation, which is bound to increase the desirability and resale value of their home.

The well-respected firms of CD Capital Partners and Construction Garbarino are developing and building mā, which will feature a rooftop terrace with an entertaining area and state-of-the-art yoga/fitness facility. Residents will have stunning views of Mount Royal and the courtyard on one side, and adjacent de la Savane Park on the other. Metro stations Namur and de la Savane are but a short walk away.

With only one phase, mā will retain its intimacy within this evolving urban environment. The one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites are available with the choice of four fabulous colour/finishing packages.

If you are moving to Montreal or would like a piéd-a-tèrre in that city, NOW is the time to buy, while prices are still amazingly affordable. For more information on mā, visit ma-condos.com. To find out more about our other Montreal communities, check the Baker Real Estate website at http://www.baker-re.com.