A Panoramic Penthouse Perch In Forest Hill
offered at $689,900Quite simply, life is better when you live in a space you love, and, as realtors who celebrate the unique, we derive immense joy in showcasing dwellings that are dreamy spaces to call Home.
As Toronto – the City of Neighbourhoods – exponentially explodes with hundreds of construction cranes building predominantly high-density towers, Buyers navigating the real estate market in the central core of the City are discovering the quest to secure a more spacious boutique residence is increasingly challenging. Especially if one desires to be well-situated in a Triple-A neighbourhood with excellent transit, superb access to green space, and everyday amenities within walking distance.
Are you seeking special?
Welcome to Penthouse 703 in Vincent Court – 660 Eglinton Avenue West!
Feeling Fabulous In Forest Hill
Forest Hill has long been a neighbourhood of choice for many Toronto residents. Initially spanning from St. Clair West north to Eglinton Avenue West, and from Avenue Road west to Bathurst Street – Forest Hill South was developed from the turn of the century through the 1930s. Interestingly, all dwellings were required to be designed by an architect, and at least one tree was to be planted on the street to create visual cohesiveness. Just as Rosedale catered to WASPs in its early days, Forest Hill was a neighbourhood of choice for Jewish immigrants from Western Europe in its infancy.
Forest Hill was originally geographically contained by the Belt Line Railway (now the Belt Line walking/biking Trail) that intersected the city diagonally in what we now call Midtown where Davisville and Eglinton are located. Because of the rail line, mixed commercial/industrial uses were originally situated nearby, but population pressure saw residential development encroach and expand north of Eglinton Avenue West. The byproduct of this is Forest Hill North which comprises housing dating from the 1950s through 1960s.
We particularly like Forest Hill’s topography of gently sloping hills, winding roads, and charming parkettes. Fortunately, this prime Toronto neighbourhood has managed to retain its small-town charm due to its walkability, family-friendly vibe, and it’s local shops in “The Village” located on Spadina Road between Lonsdale Road and Heath Street West.
Location, Location, Location
Living midtown is immensely convenient! Perched on Eglinton Avenue West at Chaplin Crescent, half a block west of the new Chaplin Crescent Crosstown LRT Station (opening 2024), Vincent Court is well-positioned to improve your immediate daily life – particularly when it comes to running errands, dining, or shopping. (And given Forest Hill’s lush mature tree canopy, what lovely strolls those will be, let alone to look at!)
On grocery day, you can walk to the full-service food shop that is Summerhill Market at 484 Eglinton West, offering all your favourite ingredients plus a particularly excellent array of fresh baked goods, produce, prepared meals, and vegan options! Just beyond that, you can restock your wine rack with options from the LCBO, and then hit Shoppers Drug Mart on the way home to pick up your personal health products and sundries.
Your daily dose of caffeine is served up at Starbucks, just down Eglinton at Bathurst; we recommend pairing it with a ham and cheese or smoked salmon bagel sandwich from St. Urbain Bagel Bakery across the street! For foodies and revelers, the options abound. Of particular note is 7 Numbers and Ferraro 502 where you can indulge in some of the City’s best Italian fare! Afterward, satisfy your sweet tooth at Phipps Bakery & Dessert Shop or the lauded Gouter patisserie – both just a short jaunt away. Or you can pair dessert with a glass of wine at Hotel Gelato – one of our faves – which is a standout in the neighbourhood. Meeting friends for brews or cocktails? Try The Abbot Pub on Eglinton at Tarlton Road, or community favourite, The Queen’s Legs, which also hosts live music!
Vincent Court is a pet-friendly building (restricted to two pets) and the neighbourhood abounds with pet-centric amenities. Global Pet Foods, One Spotted Mutt, and Forest Hill Dog Walkers & Pet Services are all within four blocks, and Cedarvale Park has an excellent off-leash area for your furry friend to truly stretch their legs!
For those who love outdoor recreation and covet proximity to nature, the Beltline Trail is just behind the building with direct access (contributing to a Bike Score of 86 for this property!), offering a 9 km cycling and walking rail trail. The Beltline consists of three sections – the York Beltline Trail west of Allen Road, the Kay Gardner Beltline Park from Allen to Mount Pleasant Road, and the Ravine Beltline Trail south of Mount Pleasant Cemetery through the Moore Park Ravine. Built on the former right-of-way of the Toronto Belt Line Railway, this linear park passes through the neighbourhoods of Rosedale, Moore Park, Forest Hill, Chaplin Estates, and Fairbank, making it a scenic way to see some of the City’s most coveted neighbourhoods. A twenty-minute walk to the southwest will land you at sprawling Cedarvale Park and Cedarvale Ravine, while the same distance to the east brings you to Eglinton Park – home to the North Toronto Skating Club and Arena, the North Toronto Soccer Club, and the North Toronto Memorial Community Centre. If you love lobbing one over the net at your singles or doubles opponents, right next door is the Forest Hill Tennis Club, offering lessons and clinics for all skill levels – how fantastic is that?
And completing the trifecta for Location is public transportation. You can be at Eglinton Subway Station (and connected to the rest of the city) in the blink of an eye, by hopping on the soon-to-arrive Eglinton/
Queen Of The Castle Atop Vincent Court
Coveted suites are rare-to-market in this well-managed co-ownership building, and the only two spacious penthouse units with oversized south-facing terraces are one of Vincent Court’s best-kept secrets! 660 Eglinton Avenue West is a respected co-ownership building, that is well-managed by Brilliant Property Management.
Co-ownership may mean different things to people, but first and foremost it’s a value-added proposition that allows Buyers to purchase a spacious residence in a superb location. For the most part, a co-ownership is very much like a condominium, but there are a few noteworthy differences. Here’s my blog, What’s The Difference Between Condominiums And Co-Ownership?
With a co-ownership apartment, purchasers own shares to the deed of an entire building – including the common areas – with their ‘shares’ granting them the exclusive right to occupy an individual apartment.
For Toronto Buyers, co-ownerships offer a lot of upsides. First, many co-ownerships are older well-constructed buildings. They have spacious floor plans, fewer sound separation issues, and they have a higher percentage of owner-occupied units which translates into increased pride of ownership and a stronger community-centric living environment. They’re often in premium locations – just like this listing – and are more affordable than condominiums.
Co-ownership properties are particularly fantastic for those looking to downsize. Since the units are usually bigger than today’s new condos, it’s easier to transition from a house into a co-ownership. Also, co-ownerships are often more intimate mid-rise buildings, so this is an excellent option worth considering if you prefer a “boutique” vibe with more character and charm!
Welcome To Vincent Court
This well-cared-for building was designed by German-born architect Peter Caspari after he immigrated to Canada in 1950. Built in 1953, and possessing architectural features reminiscent of the Art Deco, Vincent Court is one of the City’s premiere co-ownership addresses. Comprised of studio, one- and two-bedroom suites spread over 7 floors, it has long been considered a secure, reputable building and coveted for its prime Forest Hill location! In 1990 it was converted into co-ownership.
The building has a laundry room (Suite 703 has ensuite stacked laundry too, but the enormous washers and dryers are ideal when you’re cleaning large items like a duvet!), bike storage, and two large outdoor patio spaces. While there is no dedicated visitor parking, guests will find plenty of street parking out, on the adjacent side streets, and at the adjacent library outside of business hours.
A Royal Suite
This top floor is top drawer! Crossing the threshold into the tiled entryway, you’re first struck by how spacious the suite is. And wait until you see the terrace! The generous proportions – particularly of the sleeping sanctuary – are due to the fact that this was formerly a two-bedroom unit.
Comprising just over 1000 square feet of interior living space and just under 300 square feet of terrace, this renovated unit is well-suited to those with discerning taste – and a green thumb. The entertainment space unfolds into a trilogy of zones for lounging, dining, and culinary creation! We love the south-facing wall of glazing that bathes the space in natural light and offers a stunning cityscape view!
The kitchen – with its oversized breakfast bar – is fully outfitted with stainless steel appliances and contemporary cabinets, bringing a clean, industrial vibe to the space. And, once again, enjoy the view while you’re washing up!
Halfway down the hall, you’ll find the beautifully appointed powder room. A half-bath is essential if you like to entertain, as it keeps your guests out of your private spaces. Just beyond, you enter the oversized primary bedroom. Bright and airy, this sanctuary for rest and rejuvenation is truly special. A great view, a huge walk-in closet, and a large 3-piece ensuite bath – all to yourself. Does it get any better?! Actually, it just might… when you step out onto the terrace!
The outdoor space is the jewel in the crown of this penthouse suite. Broad and deep, this terrace offers innumerable options for creating lounging and dining spaces where you can enjoy the trees cape of Forest Hill. When twilight hits, the world is transformed into a panorama of twinkling city lights – including a view of the CN tower. Can you imagine Friday night cocktails under the stars, or sipping your coffee al fresco as the sun rises? This is city living at its finest!
We also celebrate that this renovated unit also boasts stacked laundry as well as two air conditioning units, which are rare finds among Toronto’s vintage housing stock!
Completing this offering is an underground parking space, an exclusive-use locker, and reasonable common fees of $909.88/month, which include Heat, Water, Common Elements, Property Taxes, Parking, Locker, and Building Insurance. (The current Owners pay approximately $60/month for hydro).
For those seeking a meticulously elevated and welcoming domicile of domestic bliss in a well-managed co-ownership building, this Forest Hill penthouse perch is very worthy of your consideration!
Curious? Questions? Interested in a private tour? Email Steve@urbaneer.com!