So that's why! I'm a lurker but I really want to post a new topic.

+1 The urban structure in North York Centre is quite good, the architecture aside from a few projects is really lacking.

A lot really depends on what kind of neighbors you have. If you are sensitive to noise you might want to avoid certain brand new buildings and certain neighborhoods (i.e. CityPlace) where there are a high-number of young renters living. In my experience, older buildings in mature...

Damn these buildings are so gorgeous!! They're so slender, I bet the people on the top floor will get sea-sick on windy days. How are they going to clean the windows? Seems like the white bands of glass will create a space where dust and dirt will build-up in a couple months. They definitely...

How? Here are some examples over the past few decades.... - Families no longer buy a new car once every three years... - Both the husband and wife have full-time jobs now... - Food, clothing, furniture and electronics have become cheaper... - Borrowing rates are lower... - Housing is seen as...

Okay, so what approach are they using then? What is it called? Please educate me?

I was referring to individual utility costs. I know I don't get free water.

I have never heard of this. Please show me an example. Every condo I have ever seen utilizes a central chiller and boiler (unless it is older and uses electric baseboard heating). This system is the most efficient approach and uses the least amount of energy overall. For air conditioning, a...

I believe home ownership can be cheaper if you do a lot of the work yourself. Some people enjoy doing work on their house, others don't. It's a lifestyle choice as much as a financial one. Condo owners never have to haul smelly garbage bags to the curb, shovel their driveways, clear ice of...

It's not about keeping the bungalows - they will all be torn down before you know it. What is happening at Bayview and Sheppard is far more sustainable in the long-run. These many smaller boutique condo buildings (i.e. Jade, NY Place, TwentyOne Clairtrell) all by different developers will age...

9 feet by 8 feet bedrooms??? 7 feet by 8 feet bedrooms?!!! I looks like this building is designed from the ground up for speculator / investors (those who are dumb enough to buy pre-construction at this point). I wonder how many (if any) end-users will buy into this project? Oh, and I'd be...

I think Lanterra is probably one of the better developers in Toronto, but this thing is a total cliche of the Toronto condo market. 1) Superficial and generic name fitting for a superficial and generic design. 2) Will probably be targeted to clueless investors with a series of hyped-up...

Yeah, the balcony is even joined to the neighbour's unit by only a thin piece of glass.

With the exception of punched windows all of these elements can be upgraded easily. You can get much more premium finishes if you upgrade an existing condo, and you will not have to pay the outrageous prices that builders charge for pre-construction upgrades. I have de-stippled and smoothed...