DEVELOPER: One of the only women in charge of a prominent Toronto development company, 44-year-old Diamante owner Julie Di Lorenzo has survived three busts in Toronto’s real estate market, thanks in part to international contracts in places like Taiwan and California.

TRACK RECORD: Although Diamante is an industry veteran, with such prominent past projects as the Bata Shoe Museum and One Balmoral, it’s a relative newcomer to the high-design luxury condo market.

CURRENT PROJECT: Di Lorenzo hired David Pontarini, an innovative architect and member of the city’s new Design Review Panel, for One City Hall (at Bay and Dundas) and The Florian (Bay and Davenport). She’s betting that buyers will pay extra to live in a building that adds a grace note to the city’s landscape. Penthouses at the 95-suite Florian start at $4 million.

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