30 Bloor Street W

Without a doubt the most distinguished department store in Toronto, the flagship Holt-Renfrew in Yorkville, has caused much of its clientele to wish they could live amongst the lavish displays high-end and designer goods. Now, thanks to Morguard Investments and Pensionfund Realty, some homeowners can get close: built into and above the store at 50 Bloor Street West, the 50 Bloor West Condos (affectionately known as the Holt Renfrew Condos) are an exciting opportunity for many prospective buyers.

In line with the exquisite collections offered within Holt Renfrew, the refined architecture for 50 Bloor West crafts a cultivated, contemporary aesthetic, courtesy of WZMH Architects (formerly known as Pellow and Associates). The tower features intricate grid work, leading to a series of shining glass setback volumes rising up to 83-storeys — certainly a sight to behold.

What one can’t see at street level is that the tower opens onto an expansive rooftop terrace landscaped by Strybos Barron King. And expansive is not an exaggeration: the terrace contains an outdoor pool and sundeck, a fireplace lounge, a roller-blading oval, an ice-skating rink, and even tennis courts. This terrific terrace sits atop the development’s new commercial podium, which stretches all the way to Mayfair Mews and updates the existing Holt Renfrew building.

Besides high-end retail and state-of-the-art office spaces, the condo podium contains a soaring 2-story lobby cared for by a 24-hour concierge service — one of the many amenities offered to residents living here. In addition to the rooftop terrace, residents also enjoy access to an indoor lap pool, a spa, a fitness centre featuring a climbing wall, and a set of common spaces for parties, dining, games, and entertainment for children. Moreover, in addition to the rooftop terrace on 50 Bloor West’s podium, there are landscaped terraces on the 39th and 66th floors that connect to a library and lounge, respectively.

Fortunately for the many buyers attracted to the building, there are 600 suites offered in the 50 Bloor West Condos, so there's a good chance of finding Yorkville condos for sale here. They range in size from approximately 300 to 2,000 square feet, and vary from studio, to one, two, and three bedroom layouts. Yet regardless of actual size, prospective residents will be happy with how the suites’ modern interior design mirrors the sophisticated offerings in the aisles of Holt Renfrew below.

Above, the penthouse-style suites offer unique views. The high-set landscaped terrace on the 66th floor means the 50 Bloor West’s penthouse units overlook a gorgeously groomed garden, which is then framed by the city’s skyline.

Nonetheless, every resident of the 50 Bloor West Condos can brag about the view from their homes. From their terraces, residents can catch a glimpse of Holt Renfrew, the Yorkville neighbourhood, and the excitement of the nearby Yonge and Bloor neighbourhood — one of the most bustling spots in the city.

As expected with a building given the nickname “the Holt Renfrew Condos,” the surrounding neighbourhood is a shopper’s paradise. However, what may surprise many of the 50 Bloor West Condos’ residents is that there’s also a rich collection of cultural venues in the neighbourhood as well.

Yorkville gained prominence as a cultural breeding ground in the 1960s when legendary musicians like Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Gordon Lightfoot called the area home. Similar to those musicians the neighbourhood’s cultural attractions have become quite prestigious: these include the Royal Ontario Museum and the Gardiner Museum, just west at Bloor and Queens Park, as well as the Royal Conservatory of Music on Bloor beside Philosopher’s Walk.

While Holt Renfrew’s clientele often arrive by car service and are greeted by valets, not all residents need such luxury. For independent and active residents, one of the best perks of buying a home at 50 Bloor West is the chance to live just steps away from a major TTC hub.

Beneath the Hudson’s Bay Centre, right next door to the condo, is where the Yonge-Bloor Station can be found. There, one can access both the Bloor-Danforth line, running east and west across the city, and the Yonge-University-Spadina line, running north and south and making a loop at Union Station.

Last but not least, residents who drive often can do so easily. Bloor stretches far west through the city toward Etobicoke. Towards the east, Bloor becomes Danforth Avenue, but conveniently just before this change, after drivers pass over the bridge, they can access the Don Valley Parkway — often in less than ten minutes. And, of course, the Holt Renfrew Condos’ residents have access to top-notch valet service as well.