I am excited to introduce a new condominium project, The Nest Condominium, which will grace the southwest corner of St Clair West and Hendrick Avenue in a few years. Its nine storeys with expansive balconies and terraces will enhance the desirability of Hillcrest Village.
The builder, Rockport Group, partnered with internationally renowned Raw Design Architects, II BY IV Design and Janet Rosenberg and Associates to deliver a building that reflects current and emerging consumer lifestyles with landscaped grounds that will augment the beauty of our neighborhood. It will offer 122 luxurious suites with approximately 10,000 square feet of ground level retail space plus an elegant lobby, a spacious guest suite, main floor lounge with fireplace, roof top terrace with panoramic city views, fire pit and barbeque area. The suites will start in the mid $200,000 and also offer two storey penthouse suites with private roof top garden.
I interviewed the President of Rockport Group, Jack Winberg, who shared his thoughts on how this project evolved and how it will affect our community.
- Why did you decide to bring this exciting project to Hillcrest Village?
We had identified Hillcrest Village as an attractive and vibrant community where we believed we could develop a successful mid-rise condominium. Then we went to work to locate suitable properties and began to assemble the site. It was really the coming together of our identification of the location, with the creation of the opportunity by finding vendors willing to sell.
- Was there any one factor that swayed you most?
I would say the character of the community. It is quite unique – expressing an old world charm and a new hip sensibility, with Wychwood Barns and all new restaurants and retail. One can definitely experience the feel of the community while walking up and down the St. Clair Strip. People seem to know each other on the street and shop owners have long standing relationships with their patrons. This is just the kind of community Rockport looks for where we can have an opportunity to contribute by providing a new and fresh choice of lifestyle living.
- What does your project offer the Hillcrest Village buyer that stands out above the other condo developments being built in the City?
Rockport is not amongst the biggest condo builders in the City, but we certainly are amongst the best. The buyer will receive all the benefits of our Rockport brand – excellent design, excellent craftsmanship, excellent customer service and not the least, excellent value. We want to add something to Hillcrest Village which will justify all the hard work and risk taking a project like this entails; and we want to be proud of our contribution. It shows in all of our projects – just ask our purchasers – and we hope you will.
- Who is your target Market?
Like the community we are in, where we have young professionals wanting easy access to downtown, young couples starting out wanting a great community or people who have made this community their home for many years who want a more carefree living lifestyle change and close to home. The Nest will appeal to all of them.
- When do you begin construction and when will it be ready for possession?
If all goes well, construction will start in the late summer or fall of 2014 and we will deliver our first occupancies in early 2016.
- Do you foresee more retail openings along the St. Clair Avenue West Strip?
Most certainly. Especially with the new street car line, travelling along St. Clair is very convenient and that attracts retailer. In fact, the Nest will itself have a retail component which will surely add convenience to living at The Nest.
- What does your research reveal about the future of the condominium market in Toronto?
Our research tells us that Toronto is going to continue to grow. And also, that Torontonians will continue to move through the housing cycle as their needs change. We are confident that well located, well conceived and well executed condominium communities will be successful – and that is why we have launched The Nest.
The Josie Stern Team is thrilled that Rockport Group is joining a growing list of builders investing in our neighbourhood because for decades (I’ve been selling real estate for that long) there was no suitable housing to accomodate the elderly and the retirees transitioning to the next phase of their life. Many of them used to move to areas where condominiums were plentiful taking their shopping dollars with them as well.
Furthermore, with house price increases exceeding 50% in Hillcrest Village in just 5 short years, many first time buyers have been wiped out of the single family home market. Condominiums provide more affordable housing for the young single professional and couple who want to be a part of the Hillcrest Village community and the lifestyle of city living.
We are also finding that people are moving to Hillcrest Village from the outskirts tired of the daily commute to their city jobs. These new condominium projects allow them to do so more affordably.
We wish Rockport Group great success with this project and we are very grateful to have them in our midst.
Website: thenestcondos.com
Village Living Magazine in October 2013
