The Downtown Condo Thread

[adamc]

That Emerald Stone unit is

Definitely one of the best locations for a residential building in all of downtown.

[Manhattan]

Originally posted by adamc
That Emerald Stone unit is

Condo fees are Arriva-esque.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by Manhattan


Condo fees are Arriva-esque.

But way better location than Arriva IMO. That's a good location.

[woodywoodford]

Originally posted by Manhattan


Condo fees are Arriva-esque.

That view though...better than Arriva's IMO. Out of my budget either way.

[max_boost]

Yup. You guys should post up whatever gems you come across. That view at Emerald is indeed stunning!

[flipstah]

Originally posted by max_boost
Yup. You guys should post up whatever gems you come across. That view at Emerald is indeed stunning!

If you can get into Drake on 17th for cheap, that's another gem IMO.

[Manhattan]

Originally posted by flipstah


If you can get into Drake on 17th for cheap, that's another gem IMO.

Drake is hot trash IMHO. Looks like they went bargain basement with the design and materials. That building is probably also mostly renters/party central (if you're into that).

[flipstah]

Originally posted by Manhattan


Drake is hot trash IMHO. Looks like they went bargain basement with the design and materials. That building is probably also mostly renters/party central (if you're into that).

Not sure about the noise factor but location-wise, it's great.

If you get in cheap, I'd gut it and change.

[max_boost]

Def not into that haha

the one at Northhill mall seems intriguing. I wonder if you can park at the mall without getting in trouble?

[Neil4Speed]

Originally posted by Manhattan


Drake is hot trash IMHO. Looks like they went bargain basement with the design and materials. That building is probably also mostly renters/party central (if you're into that).

Agreed, and the no AC is a dealbreaker if the rest wasn't.

Drake is also pretty expensive all things considered.

[vengie]

Have a look at Keynote? ideally Tower 2 as it is the newer tower. The amenities are fantastic and from talking to people I am told its an ~85% owner occupied building and it definitely maintained as such.

If I was more of a condo person I wouldn't complain at all about it! its been fantastic.

[woodywoodford]

Originally posted by Neil4Speed


the no AC is a dealbreaker

Came here to say this - I looked at one over the summer that was a really nice corner unit, but I was sweating within a few minutes of stepping inside. No way would I spend $450,000 on that.

[jwslam]

Originally posted by vengie
Have a look at Keynote? ideally Tower 2 as it is the newer tower.

Newer isn't always better i.e. Guardian

[Canmorite]

Originally posted by jwslam

Newer isn't always better i.e. Guardian

What's wrong with the Guardian building(s)?

[BigMass]

Originally posted by max_boost
Def not into that haha

the one at Northhill mall seems intriguing. I wonder if you can park at the mall without getting in trouble?

why? you get underground and guest parking and I think ability for additional parking. It's a baller building. Once you're in, you're part of the club there.

Drake is completely average. In 10 years will look like a point of view building. Tons of renters, no AC, basic construction. Emerald Stone and Renaissance both have AC and will look better down the road.

[max_boost]

You can long term park in guest parking without getting in trouble?

[BigMass]

Originally posted by max_boost
You can long term park in guest parking without getting in trouble?

the concierge there is very good. Depends on your situation. "I have guests coming for 2 weeks where can they park their car". Just go through him/her. Or if you have 2 cars and need another spot etc. The advantage of a building like that is they will take care of it for you. The guests suites there are like hotel suites. If you rent one you might get a parking sport with it etc. IDK I haven't lived there, I was just impressed with the building.

[adamc]

That building looks like a retirement complex. 0/10 would not bang.

[vengie]

Originally posted by jwslam

Newer isn't always better i.e. Guardian

Keynote was built by Balboa Land investments. The same group building the new library and music center in the East Village. As well as several other prominent pieces around downtown, a very reputable company.

The Guardian is being built by Hon Towers Ltd... I don't know about you, but I haven't heard of them. The Guardian was built strictly as an investment opportunity for foreign investors. I was at their launch and I can certainly tell you they were not too keen on helping me as I was not Asian and only looking to buy one unit.

The Guardian will be a shit hole in no time as it will be a purely renter building.

[BananaFob]

Originally posted by vengie

The Guardian is being built by Hon Towers Ltd... I don't know about you, but I haven't heard of them. The Guardian was built strictly as an investment opportunity for foreign investors. I was at their launch and I can certainly tell you they were not too keen on helping me as I was not Asian and only looking to buy one unit.

The Guardian will be a shit hole in no time as it will be a purely renter building.

It's getting tiring to disprove this every time. I'm involved in the project on a financing basis so I've been able to see and underwrite every single purchase and sale agreement in the project as well as the entire background of the ownership/development structure. The Hons also own Jager Homes which is a pretty established builder in town. They've also built high rises in Vancouver (including a pretty nice condo tower in Coal Harbour) and multiple high rise developments in Hong Kong.

Multiple sales were NOT pursued at any time. There is perhaps a handful (ie less than 5) individuals that have purchased more than one unit. In addition, I've seen maybe 3 out of the 300+ sales with foreign addresses.

And to get off your little racism bit, there's plenty of non Asian purchasers in the building :p