A Smart Start In Liberty Village
offered at $299,000Years ago “Liberty Village” was once a centre of industry, where Toronto churned out any number of goods crafted by a melting pot of working class immigrants at the turn of the last century. Once part of the Massey Harris lands, as industry modernized and fled to the suburbs – where taxes were lower, the New Canadian work force was larger, and transportation networks more efficient (the rise of the transport trailer to move product rather than rail or shipping) – the industrial centre of Toronto collapsed. Fortunately, the new economies of technology, information, and services emerged from the recession of the early 1990s, leaving the now desolate industrial brownfields ripe for reinvention. Many of the original warehouses of merit were converted into live/work loft spaces (Steve himself was engaged in the conversion of several loft conversions through the mid 1990s thru 2000s), while the vacant lots moved into redevelopment.
And with good reason. After all, where were you going to house the new generations of millennial professional urbanites? Especially given Toronto, according to renowned academic Richard Florida, has emerged at the perfect nexus of reinvention and redevelopment to become a leader attracting the growing creative class. Our industrial lands have become our post-industrial settings serving the needs of a newly-evolving global economy.
Today, Liberty Village is nearing completion as a master planned 45 acre community of condominiums, townhomes, century buildings and vintage landmarks. Featuring a 24 hour Metro grocery store, fashionable boutiques, charming pubs, the renowned Academy of Spherical Arts, design hot spots West Elm and EQ3, and several popular restaurants including Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, Liberty Village has become a new downtown! You can’t beat the easy access to Toronto’s waterfront, the extensive and efficient TTC downtown routes (some on 24 hour service), a Go Transit Station that whisks you straight to Union Station, as well as the eclectic offerings of West Queen West galleries, Queen West shopping, and the hip culture scene of Ossington Village. Soccer and ultimate Frisbee teams come to play at Lamport Stadium while avid rock climbers tackle the walls at Joe Rockheads. The revitalized Liberty Market Building is quickly becoming a local landmark, home to a growing mix of restaurants and shops.
Battery Park Condos at 50 Lynn Williams Street is Liberty Village’s first condo tower. Completed in 2006 by Monarch Group, Battery Park is the first of three towers of the same complex, completed about 5 years apart. This particular building is 23 floors and consists of 316 residential suites, sitting on a large underground garage which serves all towers, including a large dedicated area for visitor parking. One of the many perks of living in Battery Park is that this is the only building of the three that has a concierge, although the concierge does provide serves to Zip Condos and Vibe Condos as well. The complex has some of the best amenities in Liberty Village and all residents have access to the facilities in the other two buildings as well. Amenities include a 24-hour concierge/security, a car wash bay in the underground parking, two designer guest suites available for $70 per night, a furnished meeting room and the exceptional Battery Park Club featuring a lounge, decorated party room with caterer’s kitchen and bar opening to a private patio with BBQ, an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, steam rooms, fitness room and his/hers change rooms with showers and locker.
50 Lynn Williams is a popular choice for the budget-conscious buyer, for it offers better value than the newer buildings in Liberty Village. This 638 square foot one bedroom Suite 305 features upgraded laminate floors, stainless steel appliances, a sleek kitchen with dark subway tile backsplash, plus an upgraded washroom tile. It also boasts a full length balcony that spans the entire width of the suite, offering an outdoor respite for languid summer days. With reasonable common fees ($315 per month plus hydro), a great space plan, and a superb price point, this terrific suite is ready for occupancy in mid July.
Want to know more? Contact jim@urbaneer.com for more info!