Up-and-coming urban hub

The Mobilio project will incorporate a mix of housing types, park space and amenities all on one site in Vaughan

Nationalpost.com
June 26, 2019
Denise Deveau

It’s not often you get to see an entirely new urban community being built from the ground. But that is exactly what’s happening at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) northwest of Toronto.

The former commercial and retail site, at Jane and Highway 7, is ranked as one of Canada’s largest master-planned communities to date. When finished, it will be transformed into 440 acres of residences, retail and scenic walkways and greenery.

One of the first residential projects to appear in this up-and-coming urban hub is Mobilio by Menkes Developments. More than just a residence, Mobilio will provide a thriving and engaged local community for residents, from single professionals, to growing families, to retirees, said Jared Menkes, executive vice president, high rise.

To that end, Mobilio incorporates a mix of housing types, park space and amenities on one site. With its eclectic choice of high-rise condominium towers and townhomes, it’s the perfect “missing middle” offering for today’s buyers, he said.

“The GTA continues to experience a lack of diverse housing options that are more balanced, and most importantly, affordable to the average family. Mobilio will deliver architectural diversity, while fulfilling the area’s fundamental need for more density.”

Menkes is no stranger to the residential and commercial development scene, having led numerous high profile projects within the GTA, including the award-winning Harbour Plaza, One York Street, and Sugar Wharf, among others.

Mobilio’s biggest selling point is its proximity to the VMC subway line, which was extended to the region in December 2017. A short 10-minute walk and travellers can hop on a train and reach Union Station in 45 minutes.

GAME CHANGER
“That has been a game changer because it connects the community directly to downtown Toronto. In fact, Vaughan is the only municipality in the GTA aside from Toronto that offers connectivity to the TTC subway system, GO Transit and regional transit services,” Menkes said.

When the subway expansion was announced, Menkes immediately jumped on the opportunity to partner with real estate investment company QuadReal on the development.

“This is a first for us, because we tend to build closer to the downtown areas like North York and the Waterfront. There aren’t that many opportunities to build condos and townhouses along the subway line. This presented the perfect chance for us to bring the quality of the Menkes brand to Vaughan.”

The project, scheduled for completion in 2022 will be made up of three mid-rise towers (of 13, 15, and 18 storeys) housing 1,100 condominium and townhouse units in total, ranging from 450 sq. ft. to 1,400 sq. ft. Prices for condos start in the $380,000 range with townhouses beginning at just over $680,000. The contemporary interior design by DesignAgency features 10-foot ceilings, European style appliances, custom cabinetry, and a range of finishing options. Architects are Turner Fleischer.

The beauty of the mixed formats is that it also provides an ideal opportunity for different family members to live in close proximity, Menkes added.

“With Mobilio, you could have an entire multi-generational family living independently in a single block,” he said. “There’s a design for every life stage, whether it’s a young professional couple starting out, a growing family, or retirees wanting to downsize. Older parents might decide to live in a townhouse near their adult children in a nearby condo, and one day switch when the younger family starts to grow.”

The grand lobby, which is shared by the buildings, features a comfortable seating lounge and 24-hour concierge. The condo towers will also have two hotel-styled guest suites. The towers will be linked at the second and third storey levels to enable access to shared workspaces, a well-appointed fitness centre with separate weight and virtual exercise studios, and a children’s play room. Other indoor amenities include a party room with kitchen and bar areas, a theatre, and a pet-washing station.

Menkes has been a pioneer in incorporating kids’ rooms into its designs, Menkes noted.

“It’s not just a place to entertain children. It’s an opportunity for parents to get to know each other. In fact, many of our amenity spaces are designed to allow residents to escape from their units and get to interact with their neighbours. After all this is a community. We believe people should be given opportunities to engage with each other beyond a few seconds on an elevator.”

VIEWS
The mid-rise design also means that residents will have plenty of views of the huge park network and extensive walking paths planned for the community, Menkes said. “No one has to worry that they will be facing 30- to 50-storey buildings. And there will be lots of walking paths with little parks for all sorts of engagement, such as basketball courts and splash pads.”

The master plan for VMC calls for a number of additions in the coming months, including a new school and a substantial retail component, Menkes noted.

“The area already has some really wonderful independent restaurants, bakeries and cafes that are worth exploring. Some of those will be incorporated within the overall development.”

With Mobilio, residents have a unique opportunity to enjoy the best of two worlds: a comfortable and social suburban lifestyle with access to major highways for weekend getaways, plus direct access to the downtown core for work and play, he added.

“More and more people are looking to invest in walkable suburban communities near jobs, schools and other amenities, so they can experience more of an urban lifestyle in the 905 area. That’s what we are offering with this concept.”