Condo Showdown: five sumptuous residences in Toronto luxury hotels

Condo Showdown: five sumptuous residences in Toronto luxury hotels

Hotel CondosThe slew of five-star hotels that popped up downtown in recent years did more than increase Toronto’s appeal as an tourist destination. They also upended the city’s upscale condo market. The high-end residences have stacked amenity lists (with steep condo fees to match) that appeal to jet-setting business-types accustomed to all the conveniences of hotel living and wealthy A-listers with a love for high-profile luxury brands. From a party-ready suite in the Thompson to a unit in the Four Seasons with incredible views, we break down five of the units currently on the market.


Thompson Residences

Address: 55 Stewart Street, Unit 927
List price: $949,900
Building fees and amenities: $780. Concierge; in-room spa treatments; fitness center with personal trainers; rooftop pool and lounge; room service; housekeeping, laundry and dry-cleaning; private car service; dog-walkers; grocery delivery; lobby bar; restaurant; screening room; business centre
The take: The Thompson is aimed at busy, work-hard-play-hard types who have no problem paying someone else to do their housekeeping, grocery shopping and dog-walking. This two-bedroom, two-bath unit has a floor-to-ceiling view of the city skyline and an open floorplan for entertaining (if you can drag your guests away from the rooftop bar). Thick soundproofing should provide some measure of quiet when you’re ready for a break from the party.
Agent: Heather Joy Holmes, Re/Max Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage


Shangri-La Private Estates

Address: 180 University Avenue, Unit 5304
List price: $2,048,000
Building fees and amenities: $1,922. Concierge and doorman; valet parking; hair and beauty salon; full-service spa; steam room; fitness centre; indoor pool and hot tub; 24-hour room service; butler service; house doctor on call; limousine service; fine-dining restaurant and bar; lounge; private banquet rooms; screening room; business centre; conference rooms
The take: The Shangri-La has a more tranquil, grown-up atmosphere and is also centrally located. This two-bedroom suite has many of the perks of a family home, including a full laundry room, a separate den and a walk-in closet. Three Momofuku restaurants are only an elevator ride away, which could be tough on your waistline.
Agent: Morley Forsyth, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage


Residences at the Ritz-Carlton

Address: 183 Wellington Street West, Unit 5002
List price: $2,195,000
Building fees and amenities: $2,431. Concierge and doorman; valet parking; full service-spa; salon; fitness centre; outdoor terrace; room service; housekeeping services; games room; screening room; lounge; fine-dining restaurant; business centre; meeting and conference rooms
The take: This two-bedroom plus den on the 50th floor of the Ritz-Carlton has private elevator access from a residents-only lobby. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a clean white palette make the space feel even bigger than its 2,525 square feet, while the gas fireplace and dark wood floors add warmth. The downside: no outdoor space, save on the communal terrace.
Agent: Carl Langschmidt, Royal LePage Your Community Realty, Brokerage


Four Seasons Residences

Address: 50 Yorkville Avenue, Unit 3301
List price: $3,910,000
Building fees and amenities: $1,535. Concierge and doorman; valet parking; full service-spa; fitness centre with complimentary refreshments; indoor lap pool; baby-sitting service; room service; housekeeping services; fine-dining restaurant and bar; business centre; meeting and ballroom facilities
The take: This two-bedroom, three-bath unit is in the taller of the development’s two towers. Interior designer Sharon Mimran previously owned the unit, and she’s responsible for the mostly white palette and marble and black accents. Of the hotel-condo hybrids, the Four Seasons seems to have seen the strongest demand from buyers.
Agent: Janice Fox, Hazelton Real Estate Inc., Brokerage


The Hazelton Hotel

Address: 118 Yorkville Avenue, Unit 603
List price: $4,295,000
Building fees and amenities: $3,625. Concierge; full service-spa; fitness centre; 24 room service; housekeeping services; meeting rooms; fine-dining restaurant; screening room
The take: The Hazelton has been around a few years longer than the others on the list, giving the Yorkville boutique hotel time to become a reputed celebrity haunt. (Ben Affleck, Blake Lively and Jon Hamm have all stayed there, which means when TIFF rolls into town in September even residents may not be able to land a table at ONE Restaurant downstairs.) The two-bedroom, four-bath suite has three balconies, plus top-of-the-line finishes in limestone and marble.
Agents: Dina Maglietta and David Knox, Summerhill Prestige Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage