King Condos by Westbank and Allied REIT

One of the most beautiful buildings is coming to Toronto and it could very well be your next home. If you’re thinking this is just another mid-rise condominium, you couldn’t be more wrong. King Condos is headlined by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) – a world-renowned architecture firm with a multitude of awards, and extremely iconic projects in their portfolio. Get ready to be amazed.

The picture shows it all – a building made of stacked, alternating cubes that create a pixelated facade with plenty of terrace space and greenery flowing down each unit. The project forms a mountainous range that surrounds a central courtyard with connecting pedestrian walkways. King Condos will take up 600 ft. of King St. frontage and will be up to 16 storeys high.

As one of the world’s most diverse cities, it would only make sense for Toronto’s architecture to be equally diverse. This is what King Condos sets out to accomplish – non-homogenous, creative, exquisite, and connected living. Look forward to its launch this fall of 2018!

Project Summary

Project name: King Condominiums

Developer: Westbank Project Corp, Allied Properties REIT

Location: 489-539 King Street West

Storeys: 16

Total no. of units: 495

Unit sizes: 1-3 bedroom

Architect: BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group

Landscape architect: Public Work

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Bjarke Ingels Group

BIG is an internationally based group of architects, designers, urbanists, landscape professionals, interior and product designers, researchers and inventors that is currently involved in a large number of projects throughout Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. BIG’s architecture emerges out of a careful analysis of how contemporary life constantly evolves and changes. Heralded by founder, Bjarke Ingels, BIG’s buildings often defy convention while striving to combine sustainable practices with innovative sociological concepts. Their persistence to push boundaries and move architecture into an entirely unexplored field, allows them to move past boring boxes and create a new way of living. BIG’s designs such as Vancouver House, 8 Group, Superkilen, and VIA 57 WEST, just to name a few, have won them the acclaim and prestigious titles of the architect world.

A Prelude to King Condos

Torontonians must-see destination this fall is the Serpentine Pavilion – a unique structure comprised of more than a thousand extruded fibreglass frames stacked on top of each to form a sinuous cavern. As the main anchor of the “Unzipped” architectural exhibition, the Pavilion currently resides at the planned location of King Condos and acts a precursor for what’s to come. BIG’s designed this structure to embody polarizing aspects of rigidity and flow; both transparent and opaque; both box and blob. You’ll definitely find yourself mesmerized by this unique installation!

Habitat for Toronto

Strikingly different from the tower-podium combinations that fill Toronto’s streets, this is architecture we’ve never seen before in Toronto. Taking inspiration from Moshe Safdie’s Habitat 67, Ingels’ design transforms King Street West into a cascade of undulating boxes that is both free-form and modular.

Not only is King Condo’s design fascinating, but it is also functional. The peak and valley form will allow sunlight into the central courtyard as well as letting light reach King Street all year round. There are four “peaks” planned in total with the North and East peaks being built first. King Condos will be a mixed-use development with a public plaza that will create a new center for the community while connecting various pedestrian pathways. The 400-year-old heritage buildings of King St. will be kept and appended with retail and boutique offices corresponding with its height while residential units will soar above. King Condos will ultimately set a new standard in creativity and functionality for housing in Toronto with its unusual, Tetris-like combination of cubes, glass, and greenspace.

Inside Your Home

Your home should feel unique to yourself and these King Street residences will stand out both externally and internally. With King Condos, the floor plans will generally be square or L-shaped making them extremely functional and livable. Units have been rotated at a 45-degree angle in reference to the street in order to let more sunlight into each home while expanding the views from your suite as well. You can expect 9 ft. ceilings, custom cabinetry, wood flooring, exposed, polished concrete, and custom light fixtures. Penthouses are expected to be two storeys.

King Condos will bring the feeling of calm and privacy with its different landscaping and fauna for each unit. Shared terraces provide communal areas and potential for urban farming. Each home will include a tree planted in a purpose-built, irrigated planter and a trellis planted with vines. These special instances of ingenious construction only further validate the idea that urban living isn’t limited to being stuck in a concrete tower. Inventive architecture creates niches where life can occur and also create new encounters so that a community can be more tightly-knit.

Amenities

Architect plans depict 8207 sq. ft. of indoor amenities and 7048 sq. ft. of outdoor amenity space on the fourth floor. This includes all the essential condominium facilities such as a fitness centre, party room, indoor pool, and outdoor hot tub. With such an interconnected design that is intended to bring a new sense of living, the real amenity of King Condos is the lifestyle. The central courtyard is the best gathering area for residents while maintaining a seamless connection with major walkways. You can expect events and live entertainment in this community in addition to all that the King St. neighbourhood has to offer.

Neighbourhood

King Street West is a well-known destination for nightlife with swanky restaurants, fun eats, numerous clubs, and trendy bars. You’re at the crossroads of the Fashion and Entertainment district with access to all of Toronto’s best offerings, anywhere from the Roy Thomson Hall to the CN tower. The list could go on and on, but you’ll always have the most sought-after hotspots at your convenience when you live in this part of Toronto.

Development Team

Westbank Project Corporation is Canada’s leading luxury residential and mixed-use real estate development company. As a practice dedicated to city building and the creation of beautiful buildings, Westbank has also distinguished itself as a cultural company. After playing an active role in the built environment, energy and transportation infrastructures, it all comes down to culture. Westbank aims to create a profound impact on the communities they practice in. Westbank and BIG have previously collaborated on projects such as Vancouver House and Telus Sky in Calgary – sharing the same vision for artistic buildings that change the way people live.

Westbank and BIG have partnered up with Allied Properties REIT which specializes on the adaptive reuse of light industrial structures. Allied will play an important role in retaining the old, heritage buildings of King St., but also revitalizing them so that they can be effortlessly incorporated into this new project.

Convenient Transit

There are several streetcars running along your front steps on King St. and even more along Spadina Ave. These will take you to St. Andrew station in under 10 minutes and that’s only if you choose to skip on the 14-minute walk. From there, you’ve got access to TTC’s sprawling transit network. One stop down from St. Andrew is Union Station where you’ll be able to hop on GO transit as well as UP express to Pearson International Airport.

King Condos is going to be a one-of-a-kind development that you don’t want to miss out on. This project is all about celebrating artistry and standing out, and will become a landmark structure for downtown Toronto. Revolutionize your outlook on urban living with King Condos!