Possible Hintonburg mid-rise?

With the Cathedral Hill condos set to break ground in August, Windmill Developments (developer of The Currents atop the GCTC) is setting its sights back to Hintonburg, with informal discussions currently underway with regards to the Wally Becker car lot on Wellington Street at the corner of Irving Avenue:

Windmill has not yet purchased the lot, but has started community friendly discussions about a 6-storey, 50-unit building with retail at ground level—another green grocer such as Herb'n'Spice perhaps?

99 Parkdale set to double its height

Urbandale's zoning amendment application for 99 Parkdale is underway, with a request to increase the allowable height from 14 to 24 storeys over a first level podium, so in reality a total height of at least 27 storeys.

Unlike other nearby projects there is no pretense of this being a green building conveniently located by the Transitway: the development plan calls for 162 parking spots for 158 condos, most ranging in size from 700 to 1100sqft, with 6 units per floor.

It would seem that for a change of pace, Urbandale is working with Barry Hobin & Associates on this project, a name that is so often flaunted in Ottawa condo marketing.

An additional six (or seven) 2-storey townhouses fronting Parkdale are planned, and there is already blue sky talk of the adjacent apartment buildings to the south being razed for a twin tower:


Urbandale hopes to have approvals in place by the beginning of 2013 with a view to offering an occupancy date of 2014. So far there has been no word as to pricing, but the website's submit form would seem to suggest that those not ready to pay at least $350K for this address need not bother to pre-register.

Parkdale condo glut?

Tunney's Pasture workers and fans of Ontario microbrews will note with sadness the closing this month of The Cottage and a Kitchen on Parkdale Avenue after the owners received an offer too good to refuse.

The property—coincidentally a stone's throw from the new SOHO Parkway—has been purchased by Richcraft with the intention of building condos. Further north on the same stretch, Urbandale has secured a parcel of land with a view to more of the same. If the Urbandale development is even half as good as what they've done with Riverside Gate, then this space will be one to watch:


But with 8 condo buildings north of Scott St, it seems that this section of Parkdale is poised to become another condo alley (ghetto?) similar to Laurier Ave West.

Given the number of units in the neighbourhood there is very little turnover and with good reason. For the most part these 1980s buildings feature spacious, well built units in an excellent location that used to be under the radar. But most are more than 20 years old, and these are dog years when it comes to condos. It will be interesting to see how these established projects hold their value against the glamour and size of these upstarts.

Ottawa's first SOHO condo almost ready

Construction proceeds apace at Soho Parkway, Ottawa's Soho debut at 201 Parkdale Ave, with an occupancy date of October 2011 for the lower floors.

Despite the usual hysteria about this being yet another fastest-selling-ever-condo-project, a few units remain and at very attractive prices given the location and finishes being touted, including the euro-styled cabinetry and concealed appliances being installed by Normac Kitchens this week:

An application to the City this past month has requested a reduction in the number of visitor parking spots from 18 to 8, presumably in an effort to free up more spots for purchasers. That said, with this Soho being a mere block from the Transitway, this would certainly be a luxury rather than a necessity.

Psst... true or false?

Gossip heard by the water cooler this past week:

• Three $1-million condo units to be built over top of Caffe Mio in Wellington Village
• Richcraft to build a 9-storey condo at the corner of Rideau St and Charlotte
• The controversial Artisan proposal on Hamilton Ave is already being shopped around by its developers (...no word on any takers for the project, and no word on what Mona Lisa thinks...)

"The Artisan" vs Mona Lisa

Much ado in the Hintonburg QUAD! over the new sales centre touting 'The Artisan' condos. The Ottawa Business Journal reported on the hoopla last month [click for article], but in short, it would seem that the developers behind this project—proposed for the corner of Hamilton and Armstrong—are cashing deposit cheques without having secured any permits from the city. In fact, the project as it is being sold does not even conform to the site's current zoning (light industrial), never mind the height restrictions.

What's perhaps most telling is that even Mona Lisa is concerned, as pictured above. My top 5 reasons why Mona Lisa has stopped smiling:

• Mona doesn't think much of displacing galleries with condos, even those that refer to art
• Mona worries for those buying on the 9th floor when the property is currently zoned for a maximum of 5 storeys
• Mona wonders how construction will impact the environmental clean up taking place on Spencer St
• Mona is sad at the impending gentrification of the Carleton Tavern... is the Elmdale next?
• Mona can't make sense of the steaming mug that has been photoshop'ed into her portrait
  

Hintonburg Arts Festival

Patrick John Mills of the Patrick John Mills Contemporary Fine Art Gallery is hosting the Hintonburg Arts Festival this weekend at his gallery at 286 Hinchey Ave [click for map]. Besides getting to listen to live music and peruse works by local artists, I will also be treated to some belly dancing and have a chance to check out Patrick's new rock garden as pictured above. And it's free and right in my neighbourhood so how can I go wrong?

Newest Condo Listings

For all the talk about buying now before prices and mortgage rates increase... I can also appreciate that condo inventory is rather low at the moment, hence the need for serious buyers to work with a realtor who can schedule visits as soon as a property comes up for sale:

Click here for recent condo listings

PS: Particularly interesting is 51 Spadina in Hintonburg (click for more info).

Working with a realtor doesn't cost you as a Buyer, but it does pay off when you're one of the first to find out about a new listing, and even more so when evaluating a listing's price and value vis-à-vis the current market and past sales.

If you're in the market to buy a condo within the next 6 months now would be a good time to meet and discuss your 'wish list'. And if you haven't yet spoken to a mortgage broker about what you can afford, you should think about doing this as well. I can be reached by email or through my office at 613-596-4133.