As a realtor of 36 years who has operated in both the Toronto New Homes and Resale Housing Markets, if you had asked me, “What makes a great kitchen in a downtown condominium?”, until I crossed the threshold of this modern third-floor corner suite at 63 St Clair Avenue West in Granite Place, I would have never answered, “One that’s wrapped in two walls of floor-to-ceiling glazing!” Why? Because having viewed thousands of condos over 3 decades, the number of units I’ve seen wrapped in glass before this one is limited to just one, which was also in this complex.
When it comes to mid- and high-density condominiums in Toronto, their exterior facades and interior space plans often reflect the design sensibilities of the decade in which they were built. Most buildings are ‘on trend’ for only a handful of years after completion, because housing changes outfits almost as quickly as fashion these days. As a result, most condominiums are destined to be deemed relics from the past at some point, caught in their very own time warp. Thirteen years ago, I posted The Face Of Toronto Condo Living, which catalogued the facades of Toronto condos from the 1980s onward. If you like going through your High School yearbooks from back in the day, you’ll like this post.
Incidentally, what’s not in that post is Toronto’s first condominium – at 40 Homewood Avenue – which was completed in 1972. Located north of Carlton Street, east of Jarvis, this Toronto Star piece on One Of Toronto’s Oldest Downtown Condos has some great stories and mind-boggling facts, including: “In its first year, prices at 40 Homewood ranged from $10,650 for a bachelor on the lower floors to $23,730 for large two-bedrooms on the higher floors. Minimum down payments ranged from $532 to $1,086, and monthly fees went from $23 to $41.” And spacious floor plans, to boot!
A condo’s interior space plan often reveals its age, with older units almost always offering superior square footage and smart layouts that reflect the way we live. Newer buildings tend to have floor plans where the chief concern is packing as much as possible into less square footage (more return for developers!). The rooms can be cues too! For example, if the unit has a solarium, it was probably built in the 1970s or 1980s. If the bedroom lacks windows and is accessed by frosted sliding doors, it was built after 2007. If the suite has a generous foyer, it dates from the 70s or 80s. If the MLS listing says it’s a 2+1, but when you view it in person, you can’t find the den, see if a desk will fit in the foyer. If the answer is yes, the condo dates from 2008 or later, and the foyer was sold as a ‘den’. Seriously!
Hey, Good Lookin’! What’s Cookin’?
Another telling distinction of a condo’s age is whether the kitchen is its own separate room and large enough to fit a table (1970s), has a pass-through window (1980s), features a peninsula (1990s) or an island (2000s). If the kitchen is strictly a row of 4 micro-appliances lining one wall between the front door and the living room, such that it’s more of a corridor than a kitchen, then the building was completed after 2015.
Which – cue segue! – brings my focus back to the eat-in kitchen I absolutely adore. Located in Granite Place on St. Clair Avenue just west of Yonge, the architecture, landscaping, and suite itself are all quite timeless. The unit is an intelligently designed, well-proportioned space that feels as relevant today as it did when it was completed 46 years ago. And I’m quite certain it will still feel relevant 46 years from now, in 2072.
The recently refreshed kitchen at Suite 306 in Granite Place prioritized simplicity, functionality, and enduring appeal over fleeting trends. Framed by two expanses of floor-to-ceiling glazing totalling 20 feet in length, overlooking manicured gardens and a lush canopy of mature trees, the kitchen enjoys a connection to nature that immediately softens and elevates the experience of the space.
In my 36 years as a Toronto realtor, this is the only condominium complex that features kitchens with walls of glass with great views. Some even have panoramic city vistas that command additional premiums of up to $700 per square foot. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a city vista, but I have to say I think there’s something really grounding about a view of nature.
The Seller discovered, living here in Suite 306, that there is something inherently restorative about preparing an evening meal while gazing into a canopy of green, a reminder that even in the heart of the city, nature can still play a meaningful role in how a home feels. In particular, the custom ceiling mural really draws the eye and blurs the line between indoor and outdoor. It almost feels a bit fantastical… we love it!
One of the challenges with kitchen design is balancing contemporary style with long-term value. Trends come and go, often leaving homeowners with spaces that feel dated long before their cabinets have reached the end of their lifespan. In contrast, the renovation at Suite 306 was guided by a different objective: creating a kitchen that feels fresh and current today while maintaining the timeless character that has made Granite Place one of Midtown Toronto’s most admired residential communities. This was embraced quite literally in the case of the white upper cabinets, which were existing (having served for 46 years!) and in great shape. Their seamless integration into this fresh remodel proves how well-designed pieces of quality become classics – and can be effortlessly adapted to shifting trends. The palette of kitchen materials was selected with the same philosophy in mind, leaning into classics like stainless steel, butcher block, and predominantly white stone and tile.
Complementing the kitchen’s timeless design is a thoughtfully curated suite of brand-new appliances that balances performance with understated sophistication. The LG induction range offers precise, responsive cooking technology while maintaining a sleek, minimalist profile, paired with an LG over-the-range microwave featuring sensor cooking and integrated ventilation for effortless everyday use. A Bosch panel-ready dishwasher blends seamlessly into the cabinetry, preserving the kitchen’s clean architectural lines while delivering the quiet, efficient performance for which the brand is renowned. Completing the ensemble is an LG bottom-freezer refrigerator whose streamlined design and practical organization support modern living without overwhelming the space. Together, these appliances embody the same philosophy that guided the renovation itself: contemporary convenience, refined aesthetics, and quality built to endure.
The result is a space defined by clean lines, carefully selected finishes, and a sense of visual calm. The materials create a subtle dialogue between the interior and the verdant landscape beyond the glass. Natural tones and understated textures complement the greenery outside, making the view an extension of the room itself. Whether sunlight filters through summer leaves or casts long shadows across the treetops in winter, the changing seasons provide an ever-evolving backdrop that enriches daily life.
Adding another dimension to the kitchen’s appeal is the sliding door beside the breakfast table, which opens directly onto the suite’s extraordinary 233 square-foot terrace. This seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living expands the sense of space and invites the surrounding landscape into everyday life. Whether enjoying a quiet morning coffee, dining al fresco on a summer evening, or simply stepping outside to take in the view, the terrace offers a rare opportunity to be immersed in a canopy of mature trees while remaining in the heart of Midtown Toronto. Overlooking the beautifully landscaped courtyard in front of the lobby and offering a bird’s-eye view into Granite Place’s striking atrium, the terrace provides an ever-changing tableau of residents, visitors, and seasonal activity below, making it an ideal perch for those who enjoy a little people-watching. From the kitchen and dining area, the eye naturally travels outward to the greenery beyond, creating a sense of tranquillity and openness that is increasingly difficult to find in urban condominium living.
In many ways, this renovation reflects the same qualities that have allowed Granite Place itself to stand the test of time. Just as the building’s thoughtful design, spacious layouts, and enduring architecture continue to attract discerning buyers decades after its construction, this kitchen was created with longevity in mind. It is a space where timeless design and natural surroundings harmonize, proving that true luxury isn’t about following trends. It is about creating environments that feel beautiful, functional, and deeply connected to the way we want to live, both today and for years to come.
Here’s our promotion of Suite 306:
We call it: Sophisticated Serenity In A Sublime Granite Place Sanctuary On St Clair, West Of Yonge Street
This gracious, well-proportioned two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence offers approximately 1,312 square feet of thoughtfully arranged interior living space, paired with a spectacular 233-square-foot terrace retreat. From the moment you step into the welcoming foyer, an air of calm and sophistication wraps you like a warm hug. With its intelligent scale and proportions, and beautifully balanced public and private zones, this ‘bungalow in the sky’ evokes an understated refinement typically lacking in most conventional condominiums. Featuring walnut-stained parquet flooring, over 57 feet of floor-to-ceiling glazing wrapping two exposures, and an abundance of wall space to showcase your art collection, this residence is ideal for hosting intimate fetes and finding respite and comfort.
Questions? Interested in a private viewing? Contact James Ormston (james@urbaneer.com) or Steven Fudge (steve@urbaneer.com)
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Since 1989, I’ve steered my career through a real estate market crash and burn; survived a slow painful cross-country recession; completed an M.E.S. graduate degree from York University called ‘Planning Housing Environments’; executed the concept, sales & marketing of multiple new condo and vintage loft conversions; and guided hundreds of clients through the purchase and sale of hundreds of freehold and condominium dwellings across the original City of Toronto. From a gritty port industrial city into a glittering post-industrial global centre, I’ve navigated the ebbs and flows of a property market as a consistent Top Producer. And I remain as passionate about it today as when I started.
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