500 St Clair Avenue W

The 500 St Clair Condos are a rarity in Toronto, for more reasons than one. Firstly, the art-deco style that drifts from exterior to interior is an aesthetic that is far and few between, even for such a varied and diverse city. Secondly, condos in midtown Toronto that check all three boxes — contemporary, fashionable, and convenient — are hard to come by.

The condos are a refreshing choice for prospective buyers interested in the amenities of urban condominiums, without having to give up mid-town luxuries: less congestion, larger green spaces, and a more leisurely pace of life.

Built by Lash Developments in 2010, the 23-storey tower is the focal point of the St. Clair and Bathurst intersection, along with its sister building. After the initial success of the condos, a second tower was erected next door, at 530 St Clair West.

The complex has a nucleus of its own, an amenity-packed area dubbed the “530 club.” The lineup of amenities is anything but humble, boasting a gym, party room, cinema room, library, pool, sauna, boardroom, and rooftop terrace. And on top of all that, guests of residents will feel right at home, thanks to the building’s visitor parking, guest suites and concierge.

The 500 St Clair Condos are divided into 172 units, which may sound like a lot, but when considering the height of the building this leaves plenty of space for some spacious homes. Toronto condos for sale here begin at around 600 square feet, with layouts that feature one bedroom. Larger units, on the other hand, reach to approximately 1,400 square feet, with up to two bedrooms plus a den.

For a touch of charm and a dash of personality, the suites are named for the streets that pave their way around the surrounding area: Dewborne, Tichester, Montclair, Dunvegan, Chaplin, and so on. No matter the name, every unit in the building boasts state-of-the-art kitchens, 9-foot ceilings, plus spa-like bathrooms outfitted with generously sized bathtubs.

Outdoor spaces at 500 St Clair West are also impressive: while some units feature balconies, others are equipped with wraparound terraces that offer panoramic vistas of the city below. Moreover, certain impressive units even boast one of each.

The 500 St. Clair West Condos are located smack dab in the middle of two divergent neighbourhoods, Humewood & Cedarvale, meaning residents have their pick of how they spend their spare time. While some people are creatures of habit, always sticking to what they know, we wouldn’t be surprised if most residents split their time between the two.

For simplicity’s sake, we’ll start west and work our way east. All the way from Corso Italia & Davenport to Bathurst Street, St. Clair West is strewn with independent shops, restaurants, and bakeries. This strip is both family-friendly and time-honored, with businesses like La Paloma Gelateria & Café running since the 1960s. Yet another institutional ice cream shop, Dutch Dreams, has been serving St. Clair West customers for over 30 years.

Shifting east of the 500 St. Clair Condos, the Forest Hill Village has some long-standing businesses of its own. Along the small stretch of Spadina Avenue between Lonsdale and Kilbarry Roads, residents can indulge in fresh baked goods from What a Bagel, or dine like a Mediterranean at Mashu Mashu.

Also, essential for residents is the expansive (and lavish) Loblaws on St. Clair just east of Bathurst. This colossal grocery store not only contains an LCBO, but also sits directly atop a subway station.

Speaking of the subway, St. Clair West station will come in handy for residents looking to reach the downtown core. A quick ride south on the University-Spadina line will land passengers in a variety of neighbourhoods, including The Annex, Queen Street West, and the Entertainment District. This route also offers a transfer onto the Bloor-Danforth line at St. George and Spadina stations for those looking to continue their travels east or west.

Drivers can also reach downtown in no time, via either Bathurst Street or Avenue Road. Alternatively, those heading north into the suburbs or out of town can catch the beginning of the Allen Road, which allows drivers to zip onto the 401 in no time at all. And thanks to its mid-town locale, residents can even reach Pearson International Airport in around 20 minutes by car.