Sophisticated Serenity In A Sublime Granite Place Sanctuary On St Clair, West Of Yonge Street

Every so often we cross the threshold of a residence where we’re momentarily gobsmacked, catching our breath as we enter a domestic jewel offering the rare trifecta of a Triple AAA location, superb scale & proportion, and the understated style exuding both elegance and comfort known as Quiet Luxury.

Well-executed subtle design decisions can leave a  lasting statement, which is precisely the case with this spacious, gracious condominium in the highly coveted, reputable Granite Place Condominium.

Welcome to Suite 306 at 63 St. Clair Avenue West!

Dreamy Deer Park 

Welcome to idyllic Deer Park, where century-old homes celebrate their merchant-class past while modern amenities complement this coveted midtown locale. This upscale neighbourhood has it all; it’s charming, chic and convenient.

While most of the housing stock was constructed at the turn of the 20th century, over the years it’s evolved with a mix of mid century modern rentals, executive infill townhomes, and luxe condominiums. Green space is plentiful, with the Vale of Avoca and David A. Balfour Park to the south east, St Michael’s Cemetary to the south, the Kay Gardner Beltline Park to the north & Sir Winston Churchill Park to the west. While we love our parks, this is a location where an after-dinner stroll through the  surrounding residential streets brings the opportunity to admire the domestic architecture of Toronto’s well-heeled and the area’s mature tree canopies. It’s the perfect post-dinner pastime.

Despite its pastoral intonations, Deer Park is very much connected to urban life, where its verdant setting intersects with bustling St. Clair Avenue and Yonge Street. This elegant condominium, situated just a block west of Yonge Street on the south side of St. Clair Avenue West, is arguably at the axis of some of the finest retail and dining in the City of Toronto. It’s true that many urban dwellings offer proximity to great amenities, but this home’s prime location takes convenience to a whole new level. It absolutely bursts at the seams with possibilities for exploring and truly embracing the pedestrian lifestyle. Literally within a 10-minute walk from your front door are dozens of eclectic eateries and many of life’s retail necessities. Savoury spot, Delica’s Kitchen has fresh fare of all kinds, and similarly, Union Social Eatery next door has something for everyone! Ultra, a hop, skip, and a jump away, serves top-notch Pan-Asian cuisine and is enjoying a hot moment right now! Linger over a cup of coffee at upscale Pilot Coffee Roasters or pick up a Honey Crueller and dark roast at Tim Hortons – right next door!  For cocktails with friends, check out Boxcar Social at Yonge & Summerhill. We also love Mary Be Kitchen, just around the corner, which prepares incredible entrees to go for easy-peasy pick up!

Also, we’d be remiss not to mention that one of our all-time faves is the Summerhill Terroni, just a 20-minute stroll down Yonge towards Summerhill near the beloved Five Thieves, being Harvest Wagon Gourmet Grocer, Olliffe Butcher, Pisces Seafood, Nadège Patisserie & the LCBO Summerhill, in the historic North Toronto Railway Station, which offers over 5,000 wines, spirits and beers, including over 2,000 Vintage products. When you’re at Terroni, we recommend the Pappardelle alla Losa and the fried zucchini flowers – true culinary bliss!

Also in the immediate radius of Granite Place are all the must-haves that make daily errands a breeze. Right at Yonge & St Clair, you’ll find a expanded Loblaws and a Shoppers Drug Mart with Canada Post Station in the St. Clair Centre. a Farm Boy on St. Clair East, and a Longo’s Market and an LCBO in The Imperial Plaza just two doors west from Granite Place. If you live auto free but crave an IKEA, Costco or a HomeSense run, there’s an AutoShare at 7 Jackes Avenue or a ZipCar Rental location at 2 St Clair Avenue West.

Those with a vehicle will love the speedy access north, south, east or west. Avenue Road whisks you north to Highway 401 or south to the Gardiner Expressway, while St Clair East takes you to Mount Plesant, Bayview Avenue, or the Don Valley Parkway. St Clair West to Bathurst, then north to Eglinton will take you to the Allen Expressway. For those favour  a walking life and public transit, there are excellent options available, literally steps away! The 512 St. Clair streetcar stops right at Granite Place & St. Clair, or a 550 metre stroll will take you directly into St Clair Subway Station. How amazing is that? It’s no wonder Walk Score gives 63 St. Clair Avenue West a near-perfect score: Walk Score 96, Ride Score 96 & Bike Score 100!

There are many gyms and fitness clubs in the Yonge and St. Clair area, attracting all ages who embrace recreational amenities. Oxygen Yoga & Fitness on Yonge Street is a yoga studio offering unique classes for all fitness levels. Hot yoga is a staple here, along with original classes like ‘hot boxing’! And for those who already have a Goodlife Fitness membership, there is one nearby, in the same complex as Ultra. Plus, a hop, skip & a jump from Granite Place is the Badminton & Racquet Club of Toronto. Those with a membership can go and hit a few birdies any time they want!

How about a great green space – is it a must-have? Beloved David A Belfour Park is a 20.5-hectare park, and just a 12-minute stroll away! It features a large open space on a reservoir, ornamental fountains, reflecting pools, a gated garden, and a playground. It also overlooks a forested ravine that is a tributary of the Don River and connects to the Kay Gardner Beltline Trail!  (We’re big fans of cycling it in the summertime, though autumn is pretty too!) For something a bit closer, perhaps to walk the dog, both Glen Gould Park & Amsterdam Square are just a 3-minute walk west from Granite Place.

Pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly, and boasting public transport aplenty, it’s no wonder this address is known as a prime spot for urban convenience and choice!

A Granite Place To Call Home

Although condominiums have existed in Ontario since the late 1960s, their presence and popularity in downtown Toronto truly began in the late 1970s, when the epitome of luxe, fashionable domesticity meant being perched in a glass-and-concrete ‘house in the sky’ with hotel-like amenities and concierge services. Of particular note were Campeau Corporation’s Harbour Square Condos (1978/1979) at 33, 55 and 65 Harbour Square, Cadillac Fairview’s 15 Mcmurrich (1980) at Yonge and Davenport, and the Four Season Group’s Granite Place Condos.

Granite Place, situated at 61 & 63 St. Clair Avenue West, is a two-tower luxury condominium complex completed in 1979 and developed by Izzy Sharp, who pioneered the Four Seasons Hotel Chain. The 18-storey twin towers house 261 spacious suites ranging from approximately 505 sqft to 4481 sqft, and feature iconic, hotel-style common-area aesthetics and furnishings sourced by Rosalee Wise Sharp, as well as professionally landscaped grounds by landscape architect Lois Lister. The exterior boasts distinctive cladding and extensive glazing that gleams in the sunlight, designed by Boris Zerafa of WZMH Architects (perhaps best known for their work on the CN Tower)

The recently renovated atrium, conceptualized by Clinton Design Inc., has transformed the complex’s central gathering space into a bright, contemporary showpiece. With refreshed, refined finishes, upgraded lighting, lush greenery, and comfortable lounge-style seating, the redesigned atrium brings a sense of calm sophistication to the complex while creating a most welcoming experience for residents and visitors alike. The renovation enhances the building’s reputation as one of Midtown Toronto’s premier residences, blending modern design with the timeless elegance for which Granite Place is known.

Residents enjoy access to an impressive collection of amenities designed to bring convenience, wellness, and community into everyday life. The building offers a 24-hour concierge service, visitor parking, controlled-access security, professionally landscaped park-like grounds & gardens, and a dedicated recreation facility complete with an indoor saltwater pool, fitness room, yoga room, steam room, and sauna. Entertaining from home is supported by a stylish party room with a catering kitchen, meeting and board rooms, a library, and a recreation room, all of which add to the building’s resort-like atmosphere. If you have friends or family staying with you, the building offers 2 guest suites that can be booked for up to 7 consecutive nights; the one-bedroom is $125/night and the 2-bedroom is $150/night, making it a great value-add for friends and relatives! While pets aren’t allowed in the guest suites, the complex is pet-friendly, with a limit of one dog, or one dog & one cat, or two cats (with no pet to exceed 33 lbs.)

 Suite 306: Sophisticated, Serene & Sublime

Suite 306 is exceptional – even within this luxury building. Being a coveted 2-bed, 2-bath corner unit, this residence offers unobstructed views of landscape architect Lois Lister’s lush, manicured gardens, the classic stone entry gates, and a wonderfully immersive, sun-dappled treescape. An elegant, elongated 230+ square foot terrace offers front and centre sightlines of the circular autocourt, into Granite Place’s bespoke atrium lobby with peek-a-boo views of the glittering metropolis beyond. Immaculately maintained with recent improvements, including a kitchen renovation and new appliances, this home radiates joy and love.

I tip my hat with the utmost respect to Isadore Sharp and his wife Rosalee when I say, “They don’t build condos like this anymore”. 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.

The sun-kissed Entertainment Zone unfolds with expansive glazing and instant access to the oversized terrace beyond. Rarely do we experience condominium living spaces that achieve this sense of breadth and openness; here, the impressive proportions comfortably accommodate full-scale furnishings while still feeling airy and inviting. A halo of track lighting runs the perimeter of the room, providing a sliding rheostat of ambient lighting for your art while an exquisite circa 1890 Confectionery Cabinet of Tiger Eye maple takes centre stage. This impressive and extremely functional piece – included with the purchase – offers additional storage for dishware & glassware, as well as your beloved and prized collection of objet d’arts.

In all of my 36 years as a realtor in Toronto, I have never walked into a condominium kitchen with a wraparound, floor-to-ceiling 20-foot-long vista of mature trees and lush gardens. To be immersed and grounded in nature every day, making your morning cuppa is, for me, an ultimate privilege and joy. This just-renovated kitchen – tucked around the corner out of sight from the Entertainment Zone – is extremely functional and efficient, comprising upper and lower cabinets, quartz and butcherblock countertops, porcelain and stainless steel backsplashes, and a double-sided island that will suit any resident chef. A deep stainless-steel sink, a luxe faucet, and four brand-new, high-quality stainless-steel appliances have just been installed and are ready to serve you and yours. The adjoining intimate breakfast room is ideal for casual dining or morning coffee, and features direct access to the terrace. The breathtaking view inspired the installation of the painterly ceiling mural, bringing the tree canopy inside. Whether you’re hosting intimate dinners or larger gatherings, this suite’s excellent space plan, intelligent design, and effortless flow between the kitchen, dining, and lounge spaces make this residence a well-earned prize.

Privately tucked away from the entertaining areas, the primary bedroom serves as a serene retreat with generous dimensions that easily accommodate substantial furnishings while still preserving a tranquil atmosphere. Tailored wall mouldings and oversized windows lend the room a boutique-hotel sensibility, while the large walk-in closet with numerous built-ins provides exceptional storage and organization. The adjoining ensuite bath is ample and practical, creating a comfortable daily refuge removed from the activity of the main living spaces. The second bedroom, equally well-proportioned and currently set up as a study, offers tremendous flexibility as a guest suite, home office, library, or creative workspace, and is conveniently serviced by a second 3-piece washroom located off the secondary hallway.

This suite’s extraordinary terrace — a rare luxury in midtown condominium living – spans the width of the suite. This outdoor sanctuary feels wonderfully secluded and tranquil, offering ample room for alfresco dining, container gardening, lounging with a good book or hosting family and friends.

With a separately deeded underground parking space, and monthly common fees of $2,141.88 that include central heating/cooling, hydro, cable, water, building insurance (contents and betterments insurance is to be arranged by the buyer), condominium common elements, reserve fund savings and parking, Suite 306 presents an outstanding opportunity for the discerning urbanite seeking the ease of condominium living without compromising space, comfort, or lifestyle.

If you desire an exceptional condominium in a distinguished building with a rich history – and one that seamlessly combines quiet luxury and modern-day convenience – this could be the one for you!

Interested in learning more? How about a private tour? Contact Steve Fudge (steve@urbaneer.com) for further assistance!