160 Vanderhoof Ave, Toronto

Standing 18 storeys tall in East York, Scenic on Eglinton 3 Condos falls into the category of highly confusing condo names, because this building is located at 160 Vanderhoof Ave… it is close to Eglinton though, so maybe ‘Scenic On Close to Eglinton 3’ would have been more appropriate.

Name aside, this building strikes an impressive figure — cream coloured concrete and shaded glass give the property a very contemporary look, and the slight curvature of the glass structure makes it stand out even among modern buildings. One thing the developers definitely go right about the name was ‘Scenic', because with a condo on higher floors, you have stunning panoramic views of the Don River.

Amenities at 160 Vanderhoof Ave are well thought out, and several of the extras offered aren’t found in many other buildings — children’s playroom, pool, fitness centre, yoga studio, media room, games room, party room, concierge, guest suites, and parking garage.

There are 316 suites at Scenic on Eglinton 3 Condos, ranging in size from 425 square feet for a 1 bedroom unit to 1528 for a 3 bedroom suite. Because of the curved glass along one side of the building, many suites have rooms with rounded window walls, which is a breath of fresh air from the standard box-like layout.

Prospective buyers be warned — with the high-end finishes and sightlines found in these units, you may never look at modern condos the same way again. Most units have wide plank hardwood floors, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. All units are open concept and have floor to ceiling windows, and private balconies.

On the ground floor of the building, you’ll find a select number of townhouses — these units offer the same finishes, but spread across 2 storeys, making this a great choice for families or those who need a little more space. Prices in East York are quite enticing compared to Toronto condos for sale, making these units appealing to any kind of buyer.

Move over King West, because her comes Thorncliffe Park… okay, so that’s probably a stretch. 160 Vanderhoof Ave in East York isn’t likely to rival trendy downtown neighbourhoods anytime soon, but it does have a lot to offer — especially if nightlife is lower on your list of priorities.

Shopping options are incredibly convenient here — there’s a large commercial centre just a few minutes south, where you’ll find a collection of big box stores like HomeSense, Marshalls, Pier 1, Best Buy, and more. To the north-east on Don Mills Rd, there are several retail stores at CF Shops at Don Mills, including high end brands such as Coach and Banana Republic.

If you’re in the mood to dine out, you can stroll to Adamson Barbecue for ribs, and Nando's Eglinton for flamed grilled chicken. Venture further to the west, and you have South St. Burger, Sunset Grill, Local Leaside, Kintako Sushi Japanese Restaurant, Mt Everest Restaurant, and Domino's.

Entertainment options could be characterized as limited; if you really need a drink, you can grab one at The Leaside Pub or Shoeless Joe's Sports Grill nearby. There are family friendly choices like Ontario Science Centre, and Sunnybrook Park which has a large sports complex. Recreation enthusiasts can enjoy hiking along the river banks, or spend a day golfing at Flemingdon Park Golf Club.

With so much positivity, there had to be a let down somewhere; 160 Vanderhoof Ave hobbles its way to a 58 Walk Score — and if you got that on a test, you’d probably hide it from your parents. As a resident of this building, you’re going to need a vehicle or public transit to accomplish all of your errands.

The area might not be walkable, but it’s definitely navigable via public transit; residents have stops for route 88 just outside their front door, and this route will take you to St Clair Station if needed for subway lines.

Car owners can practically see the nearest highway from their building — some actually can, depending on the unit. To reach the Don Valley Parkway, you need only head east on Eglinton for the on-ramp, which shouldn’t take you more than 5 minutes.