Opinions on the Guardian Towers

[5hift]

Anyone live in the Guardian Towers and would be able to provide insight on how living in the building is.

How is it for walking to things, accessibility during rush hour, amount of bums you have to deal with etc? Is it managed well, how is the parking/visitor parking etc.

Thanks.

[Sugarphreak]

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[Rocket1k78]

Sorry if this is completely useless but the penthouse there could easily be the most expensive in alberta. It might not mean much but it might add a cool prestige factor to that building. The guys got an infinity pool on the top floor!

[jwslam]

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Sorry if this is completely useless but the penthouse there could easily be the most expensive in alberta. It might not mean much but it might add a cool prestige factor to that building. The guys got an infinity pool on the top floor!

The elevators were open during construction phase and I got up there to peak after hours. They have 360 windows, and it's an infinity pool PLUS separate infinity hot tub. 3 level suite with its own elevator between the 3 floors (2 living plus top floor hot tub)

Back to the plebs units, things I've heard from owners there:
-I believe the visitor parking on P1 is managed by Impark and is paid only.
-Fees have gone up 10+ percent since construction; correction, it's 30%
-The condo board has been battling with the developer on a 500+ item deficiency list.

[Chester]

Developer and construction workers cut some corners on those buildings that the residents will be paying for through increased condo fees over the next few years.

[sneek]

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Developer and construction workers cut some corners on those buildings that the residents will be paying for through increased condo fees over the next few years.

Sadly, I feel like this is every new condo. I live in a building completed in late 2015 and I swear we find new issues with water or power every month.

[Xtrema]

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Developer and construction workers cut some corners on those buildings that the residents will be paying for through increased condo fees over the next few years.

That's every condo/apartment building in Calgary over 5 years old.

[JordanLotoski]

Are you looking to purchase or rent?

[muse017]

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That's every condo/apartment building in Calgary over 5 years old.

My building(Luna) was a nightmare in plumbing lol. During my 2 years of ownership, I've witnessed 3 flooding and entire building was basically cut open for inspection and replacement etc.
So glad I sold the unit when the market peaked(Summer 2014) and gtfo of the building.

[msommers]

Wow that's nuts, I thought Luna was a "high-end" building and even they have issues?!

I think they get buyers with initial low cost condo fees that quickly skyrocket and risk assessments early on. At least in older established buildings, a lot of the kinks have been worked out.

[borN]

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Wow that's nuts, I thought Luna was a "high-end" building and even they have issues?!

I think they get buyers with initial low cost condo fees that quickly skyrocket and risk assessments early on. At least in older established buildings, a lot of the kinks have been worked out.

Former Mark on 10th owner here. I know this all too well... Thank god Jordan was able to pull some magic for me .

[bowsth]

Trash building. Shoddy work. Hon towers and construction cut corners.
Nicholas Hon and Ernest Hon of Jager Homes not honest.
The guardian tower 1 north building was totally flooded. From those guys penthouse swimming pools
Leaking. I would be very concerned for problems down the road.
I bet down the road the buildings will be up for special assessments for poor work.

Like ppl said condos fee will continue to rise as huge deficiency list.

[jwslam]

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The guardian tower 1 north building was totally flooded. From those guys penthouse swimming pools

I thought it was caused by a construction worker leaving windows open overnight and pipes froze&burst

[msommers]

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Former Mark on 10th owner here. I know this all too well... Thank god Jordan was able to pull some magic for me .

What happened?? I was tossing and turning wanting to get into there but it was too much money at the end of the day.

[borN]

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What happened?? I was tossing and turning wanting to get into there but it was too much money at the end of the day.

Long story short (and to my understanding from talking to others), many newer condo buildings are utilize the same pipe manufacturer. In cold temperature, there has been many documented incidents where this pipe has burst (Guardian, Luna, Mark, etc) and caused immense damage on the building.

Through the December/January of 2016/2017, three separate events resulted in a water pipe bursting (all three related to cold weather). Two of the three elevators needed extensive repairs which resulted in probably over a year before all three elevators are fully functioning again. There was also a period where zero elevators were working, and about a two week period where one elevator was servicing 36 floors... The insurance deductibles were ~$165k; after many residents voiced their displeasure in the way Qualex was handling things, the company gave a goodwill donation of $150k to cover some of the deductibles, but did not take any responsibility to the building quality. Understandably, they don't want to have any future liability.

Anyways, I got out shortly after and am very glad I avoided the aftermath. Waiting 10 minutes for an elevator only to have it completely full was frustrating. Even more annoying is that real estate is supposed to be a long term "stable" investment. My experience with variables costs associated with condo living (increasing condo fees, special assessments, having to make the assumption neighbours won't trash the building, and trust in the developer) have only deterred me from owning any condo in the future.