Condo Roundup: Festival, ArtWalk, M2M Squared

Torontosun.com
Nov. 9, 2021
Paul Barker

Menkes Developments Ltd. and QuadReal recently held a ground-breaking ceremony that marked the start of Festival, a four-tower complex that will be located at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC).

The 5.5-acre community, which will be bounded on the north and south by Highways 7 and 407 and Hwy. 400 to the west, is being developed in phases and once completed will contain 2,470 units, house an estimated 4,500 residents and feature a range of indoor and outdoor amenities.

According to a release, these will include a central plaza that will contain 85,000 sq. ft. of commercial space with dining, shopping and lifestyle services.

The goal of the project, said Alan Menkes, president of Menkes, is to create a “truly urban community in the heart of the VMC.

“That meant more than just delivering places for people to live. It meant creating a diverse community with a mix of uses, including retail spaces, office accommodation, and compelling lifestyle options.

“It needed to appeal to the mix of residents, employers and employees and guests that will live, work and play here.”

Vaughan mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua, said “the mixed-use development signifies the growing desirability of Vaughan as a destination for business and investment.

“VMC contributes to a complete community by introducing a mix of residences that will improve social equity and meet the means of various groups, thereby contributing to the betterment of health with open spaces and amenity areas.”

Included in phase one of the initiative is a 59-storey tower, which once built will be VMC’s tallest residential building.

Pricing starts in the $400,000s.

ArtWalk Condos

https://artwalkcondos.info

The initial phase of SmartCentres’ 100-acre, 20 million sq. ft. SmartVMC city centre in Vaughan will include a 38-storey tower, 18-storey tower and six-storey mixed-use residence.

Bordered by Portage Parkway to the north and Apple Mill Rd. to the south, plans call for ArtWalk to be developed in four separates phases.

According to a release, “development plans build on the district’s experiential art and culture-focused activations, including 30,000 sq. ft. of instagrammable art murals, painted by a roster of acclaimed local and international artists including Ricardo Cavolo, bird, Ben Johnston and Jeremy Shantz.”

With pricing still to be determined and unit sizes ranging from 500 sq. ft. to 900 sq. ft., Hariri Pontarini Architects, the release adds, have been retained to lead both the “architecture and interiors for this phase.

“Their plan calls for a variety of heights, floorplates, and suite sizes to accommodate the range of future residents anticipated in this diverse community. The architecture is rich and inviting, utilizing a range of natural materials and colour palettes, purposefully creating variation between all the buildings while crafting a striking skyline.”

Artwalk’s amenity program will include multiple outdoor terraces with gardens, an outdoor movie area, intimate lounge seating with firepits, as well as an outdoor dining space with BBQs.

In addition, an indoor/outdoor childrens’ play area will be offered, as well as an expansive 2,500 sq. ft. co-working space facing the courtyard.

“Designed as a future-ready building, Wi-Fi will be offered in all common areas, amenities can be booked via mobile app, and suites will include smart thermostats and keyless entry.”

M2M Squared

http://www.m2mcondos.com

Aoyuan International recently launched M2M Phase 2, -- or M2 Squared -- part of an 8.6-acre master planned community in North York that once built will have 46,000 sq. ft. of community centre space and an estimated 11,000 sq. ft. of daycare facilities at the base of the structure.

“Our intention with M2M from the very beginning was to create a true family-oriented community,” said Fan Yang, general manager for Aoyuan’s Canadian division. “We wanted to develop a project that would bring families peace of mind knowing they would have convenient access to parks, childcare and other recreational amenities.
“We also looked at our suite designs, how units’ efficiency and functions could be maximized, so that families could actually live in our community and feel comfortable living in an urban part of the city.”

With prices starting from the $500,000s, suites will range in size from one to three bedrooms and mirror the look of M2M Phase 1, another double tower, which is scheduled for completion next year.

According to a release, plans for the community centre currently includes a “double-height gymnasium with a basketball court, running track and activity rooms.

“The community centre, daycare and park at the foot of this project provides much needed social infrastructure for the city and will be the central piece of the M2M community,” said Vince Santino, Aoyuan’s senior vice president of development.

Located at Cummer Ave. and Yonge St, indoor amenities at M2M Squared will include a fitness centre, yoga and dance studio, a hobby room, children’s playroom and two co-working lounges with dedicated rooms for video calls and meetings.