Posted by Dylan Giuliano / December 19, 2013

2013 has been another busy year in the Toronto real estate market. With the ongoing debate over the stability of the condo market raging on, one thing remains true, economically and environmentally viable and sustainable housing must be built for our city to continue to grow and function. Although the market as a whole still leaves quite a bit to be desired, these are the projects that brought something a little different to the table over the past year. And, more importantly, these are the projects that got us talking (arguing?) the most.

SQ despite its Spadina-Queen designation happens to be located in Alexandra Park. And more importantly it signals the first phase of a long overdue facelift and modernization of one of the city’s oldest public housing complexes. This Habitat 67-esque mid-rise will give new residents the opportunity to invest in a neighbourhood sure to become quite a bit more livable post renovations. The enclave has suffered from poor planning for a long time, but so far this looks to be a step in the right direction for a neghbourhood so perfectly located for greatness.

Aqualina Bayside Condos

It may be too early to tell how this one will turn out, but this extremely underused section of Queens Quay East has long been overdue for an injection of life. With work going on all around this area by Waterfront Toronto, the new George Brown Campus next door, and with various other commercial and residential developments in full swing this area is posed for a new start. Aqualina with its modest 363 units (of the eventual 1,900) is the first residential phase in this specific development and touts its family friendly units, a plethora of amenities, and lots of outdoor space.

Smart House Condos

Garrison Point is another score in the good looking category, but it mostly makes it on this list because of the sheer scale of the project and the effect it may have on this huge parcel of mostly vacant and inaccessible land. Like most projects we review, there is always the chance things won’t turn out as predicted, especially with such a large area getting an overhaul. But the developers seem to be making a bit more effort off the bat than we’ve seen go into similar master-planned areas like Liberty Village or Cityplace.

Ten York Condos

This might be a controversial pick for now, but in the long run this high density neighbourhood south of Union Station will no doubt absorb the thousands of new residents in this building, and more (see: 1 Yonge, Ice Condos, Harbour Plaza). There’s a good chance a great deal of the new residents in this 65 storey tower will work downtown, and walk to work or use the country’s biggest transit hub just a few blocks north of here. The concerns about overcrowded aren’t entirely unfounded but in a neighbourhood that is sure to continue to grow, there could be way worse things to replace this tired surface parking lot.

Yonge + Rich Condos