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With its new sales centre set in a former auto parts warehouse, and a busy Costco store steps to the south, one could be forgiven for thinking that Curio, a new South Etobicoke midrise, is blandly suburban.
“When you really explore the Queensway, and you pop down some of the side streets, you discover that there are a lot of really interesting independent shops, breweries and restaurants,” says Erin Millar, vice-president of sales and marketing at Marlin Spring, which is co-developing the 10-storey project at 801 The Queensway with DAMAC Properties.
Two blocks west, for instance, The Pie Commission puts a gastronomic spin on British-style savoury pies made from scratch. Just east of the Costco is the Great Lakes Brewery, where a picnic-tabled patio provides a sunny venue for sampling craft brews. And for Curio residents seeking a more whimsical alternative to the nearby Ikea store, the Singing Lady Consignment Emporium’s two showrooms are strewn with pre-owned furniture, housewares, jewellery and garden decor.
While the Curio site on The Queensway between Royal York and Islington is set apart from the growing clutch of condo buildings further west, around Zorra Avenue – the location of Marlin Spring’s sold-out Tailor project and two more undeveloped sites they’re holding — the project will still benefit from the developer’s familiarity with the neighbourhood, Millar says. “Having several projects in the area has really helped us understand who buyers are and what they’re looking for. We’re getting lots of interest from local downsizers, and from renters looking to buy something to call their own. It’s nice that buyers know and appreciate the neighborhood, and want to stay in an area they love.”
Marlin Spring has also used feedback from the Tailor to “curate even better units at Curio,” Millar says. Ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, Curio’s 207 suites, designed by Mason Studio, feature nine-foot ceilings, balconies, terraces or patios with sliding or swing doors, and custom kitchens and bathrooms with quartz countertops and undermount sinks. “There are a lot of window-wall bedrooms,” Millar adds, “with our wide and shallow unit design bringing in plenty of natural light.”
The architects at Graziani & Corazza have created plenty of private outdoor spaces, making use of a step-back from the Queensway starting at the seventh floor. Amenities, meanwhile, include bicycle parking, a pet wash area, a party room and lounge designed by Mason Studio, a wellness centre with exercise, cardio and weight-training spaces, and an outdoor terrace with dining and barbecuing areas.
Its ground floor has been set aside for retail occupants who, it’s hoped, will contribute to the Queensway’s indie business scene. “We’ve got some live-work spaces,” Millar explains, “so instead of just traditional retail we’d like to accommodate independent service providers like massage therapists, nutritionists or aestheticians.”
Suites starting from the mid-$500,000s. For more information, visit the Curio sales centre at 801 The Queensway, or curiocondos.com.
The 3.1-hectare Queensway Park is home to two lit ball diamonds and tennis courts, a small multipurpose building with kitchen and changing facilities, a children’s playground and an outdoor ice rink with a meandering skating trail attached. 8 Avon Park Dr.
It’s tough to beat Toms Dairy Freeze for a post-park treat. In business since 1969, the old-school dairy bar serves sundaes, floats, frozen yogurt and milkshakes along with burgers, hot dogs, steak, souvlaki and more. 630 The Queensway
Said to be the oldest free-standing arts-focused public high school in Canada, Etobicoke School of the Arts allows students to major in dance, drama, film, music band or strings, musical theatre or contemporary arts. 675 Royal York Rd.
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