No Small Spaces Luxury with Flexibility in Midtown Toronto
May, 2007

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By Andrea Civichino

If Stanley Grossman had the power to look into the future, One12 St. Clair is exactly what he would have envisioned - a 10-storey glistening glass tower, limestone landscaping, private terraces complete with brushed stainless steel planter boxes, natural gas and water outlets for elegant outdoor entertainment and living, and an opportunity for perspective buyers to define and create their own space.

"This is exactly what I saw and wanted," Grossman says. "It's a very unique, small building that offers large suites and offers the purchaser a special lifestyle."

One12 St. Clair is the newest addition to the Forest Hill community. Set in the exclusive midtown district of Yonge and St. Clair, the building is tucked amongst neighboring communities Forest Hill, Deer Park and Rosedale.

In early 2007, Grossman, Vice President of 112 St. Clair Avenue West Holdings Inc., presented an overview of the property and unveiled its customization opportunities - dubbed "raw elegance."

"We wanted to show perspective purchasers that we do not have to build and deliver a traditionally finished suite with typical ceilings and wall treatments," he says. "That raw space is still available to show people. We erected floating walls and painted potential floor plans on the floor - the floor was painted white and we identified where a door could go, to let the purchaser know we're flexible and to let them know:  Here's a raw suite with 12-foot ceilings that can expose the mechanical apparatus and take on a loft-type of environment, or if you don't want to go 'raw' we have traditional and anything in between. "

With suite designs by Page and Steele Architects, the floor plans include two and three bedroom suites, ranging in size from 1,726 to 2,531 square feet and priced from $1 million. The ninth and tenth floors are the domain of two-storey penthouse suites. Spanning 4,000 square feet, these units are priced at $3.4 million.

On the exterior, while most buildings hide their structural steel, One12 took a modern approach and wrapped the building in a steel frame, rather than a typical traditional precast finish.

"It has a unique elevation distinguished by linear steel terraces, each adorned with planters that give promise to a kaleidoscope of fresh flowers," says Elias Veisman of Veisman Consulting, the company responsible for managing the project and construction. "The architects have also seen beyond the street and showcased the green spaces surrounding St. Clair, thanks to the suites' vast picture windows," he adds.

In addition to large suites, the eight-foot wide personal terraces are fully tiled outdoor spaces and are finished in exposed steel with elegant brushed stainless steel planters that sit on clear glass handrails. Each terrace includes an installed gas line for a barbecue and water to nurture personal gardens. Suites are also smart wired to accommodate technological needs.

"We have beautiful terraces that can actually be utilized," Grossman says. "They are not narrow little balconies, but large enough to accommodate furniture nicely."

With the building already built, the common areas are substantially complete. A few residents have already moved in and are taking advantage of the fitness amenities and 24-hour concierge.

"There were suggestions that we should just build a typical building of shoeboxes, but we wanted to do something different and unique because the area needs this," Grossman says. "I think it's the way of the future ... seeing more developments focusing on lifestyle, offering all large units and avoiding the mix of small medium and large, avoiding the mix of commercial and residential, and giving people a secure and comfortable living environment."