If condo design were as strong as condo sales, Toronto would be one of the most amazing architectural cities in North America.

The bad news is that it isn't. The good news is that it continues to get better.

Unlike Mississauga, Toronto still doesn't have a Marilyn Monroe, a spectacular and iconic building chosen from entries to an international design competition. On the other hand, unlike Mississauga, the situation in Toronto is more urban and, therefore, more contextual. There are simply fewer opportunities for the iconic in Toronto than in the City that Hazel Built.

One of the tiny handful of occasions in the city is the site on the southeast corner of Bloor and Yonge Sts., one of the most important intersections in Toronto.

Several proposals have come forward in the last few years, but now Bazis International, a development company based - are you ready? - in Kazakhstan, has announced it will proceed with an 80-storey hotel/condo atop a low-rise retail podium.

So far so good; the site remains ridiculously underused and if any property in the city calls out for densification, this is it.

Problem is that architecture isn't up to the location. The architect, Roy Varacalli, has come up with a design so slick it will be hopelessly out of place in this ever-conservative burg. More work is needed on the project, so let's hope that what finally gets built will be better than the drawings we've seen.

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Another noteworthy is One City Hall Place, a large mixed-use development that extends west and south from Bay and Dundas Sts., not far from City Hall. The architect, David Pontarini, has fashioned a vast slab of a building without overpowering this important site. Its virtues are its urbanity and sheer architectural exuberance.

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Take a dynamic city-centric location, add internationally inspired architecture, sophisticated high-utility interiors and a full-range of amenities and you have One City Hall, offering an innovative approach to contemporary living.

One City Hall - the sixth in a series of successful, carefully designed condo developments by award-winning Toronto-based Diamante Development Corporation - is located just southwest of Bay and Dundas Streets, gracing the area adjacent to the prestigious Toronto City Hall.

The sleek, modern architecture of One City Hall, spanning one city block in length, is a refined 16 stories high and sets itself apart with its bold horizontal lineation. With 526 suites, the building is an elegant mix of glass, precast and metal, which combines to create an aesthetically pleasing design.

Construction on One City Hall is well underway and will be ready to occupy in the summer of 2006. And until October, you can enjoy one year of luxury downtown living - Diamante Developments picks up the costs.

The "Live Free" promotion is an aggressive summer program that benefits the purchaser immensely as it covers major costs for one full year from the occupancy date. The program requires that the purchaser be approved by the on-site TD-Canada Trust representative, at a 75 per cent conventional mortgage. The vendor in effect covers the property tax, monthly maintenance and the equivalent of the principle and interest mortgage payments for one full year - a value of between $13,000 and $19,000, depending on suite size and price.

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One City Hall takes a dynamic city-centric location and creates an exquisite place to live. With its internationally-inspired architecture, sophisticated hi-utility interiors and full-range of amenities, One City Hall represents an innovative approach to contemporary living.

The sixth in a series of highly successful, meticulously designed condominium developments by award-winning Toronto-based Diamante Development Corporation, One City Hall is located just southwest of Bay and Dundas Streets, gracing the lands adjacent to the north side of City Hall. With sleek, contemporary architectural design, One City Hall spans one city block in length, 16 storeys in height, and is characterized by its bold horizontal lineation.

Distinctively framed outdoor balconies line the sides of the U-shaped building, running parallel with wide sections of glass, metal and pre-cast concrete which interlock, like a Chinese puzzle.

Housed within are 526 suites. All the suites that remain for sale enjoy wide outdoor patios or extra-large balconies. Construction on One City Hall is well under way, and will be ready to occupy in spring 2006.

For trend-setters who appreciate the value of living at the centre of it all, One City Hall is the place for you! Its prime location makes it easy to walk to the Eaton Centre, to access TTC subway, and get to the financial district, Dundas Square, Ryerson University, theatres and restaurants. The entire block surrounding One City Hall is evolving - with the construction of Ryerson's new business school, and new shops and restaurants popping up around the neighbourhood, there's always something new to discover!

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Diamante Development and Hon Kwok " Turn the sod"at One City Hall - Official ceremony marks the start of construction
At a private ceremony held recently, One City Hall Principals Julie Di Lorenzo, Paolo Palamara and Franco Prevedello, were joined by purchasers and special guests to celebrate the start of construction at One City Hall. The occasion was marked with a traditional turning of the sod, with special guest Toronto City Councillor, Kyle Rae, on hand to help the company principals with the festivities. Already 75% sold out, One City Hall is the sixth in a series of highly successful, meticulously designed condominium developments by award-winning, Toronto-based, Diamante Development Corporation. One City Hall is also the brainchild of Hon Kwok Investments, a major real estate investment and development leader in Asia, and North America.

Located just southwest of Bay and Dundas Streets, One City Hall will grace the lands adjacent to the north side of City Hall. With sleek, contemporary architectural design, One City Hall spans one city block in length, 16 storeys in height, and is characterized by its bold horizontal lineation. Distinctively framed outdoor balconies line the sides of the U-shaped building, running parallel with wide sections of glass, metal and pre-cast concrete which interlock like a Chinese puzzle. Housed within are 526 suites, and all the suites that remain for sale, enjoy wide outdoor patios or extra-large balconies.

Something for everyone
One City Hall offers a wide selection of suite designs ranging in size from 370 to 1,044 sq. ft. Prices start at $141,500 for a studio, $171,500 for a one-bedroom, $202,500 for a one-bedroom plus den, and $292,500 for a two-bedroom suite. Each suite intelligently maximizes natural light and every square inch of space. Kitchens feature custom designed cabinetry that provides 30% more storage than a typical kitchen of the same size, a Diamante, one-of-a-kind, roll-out dining table and high-efficiency, slimline appliances, further optimizing every inch of space. Each suite also offers a choice of slate, limestone or porcelain tile in the foyer, European-engineered hardwood floors in the principal living areas, and a master ensuite washroom with a deep soaker tub and European-style faucets.

Blurring the line between enclosed space and raw nature, the two-storey lobby at One City Hall brings the outside in, integrating organic materials to create a warm, natural environment that is both comforting and familiar. One City Hall also provides all the amenities of a great life. One such place is the Big Room, a welcoming space, featuring a sunken seating area, an illuminated wall above a see-through fireplace and a cantilevered staircase. Elegant and welcoming, the Big Room accommodates large parties, but also contains enclaves of space for more intimate gatherings. Upstairs, the City Juice Bar is a bright open space where friends can mix and mingle, while across the way, the Tea Room is a place of quiet without solitude. Its calm Zen-like ambience provides the perfect place to pause, read or just reflect.

The exclusive fitness and spa zone is a place where residents can pump iron, do yoga, or swim laps. Natural light pours into the pool area, while the whirlpool, steam room and sauna beckon tired muscles. To encourage fitness, the facilities are fully equipped - including an inspirational view overlooking the private outdoor garden.

And imagine a private park above the city. Rising above the cityscape, One City Hall's Skypark features a full landscape of trees, plants, two water features, and natural elements, all incorporated within a series of walkways and terraces. Designed as a series of summer living rooms, this is where residents can enjoy a barbecue, dine with friends under the stars, relax or play games on the grass court. The Skypark offers something for everyone.

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On Sunday March 30, 2003, Sandra Jang of Toronto became the proud owner of a suite at one of Toronto's fastest selling downtown condos, One City Hall. Thanks to the generosity of Diamante Development Corporation and Hon Kwok Investments, the suite was auctioned at this year's All-Star Charity Show and Telethon, a fundraiser for the Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation, which was broadcast to audiences across Canada by Fairchild Television, with support from Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited.

Bids for the condo were also accepted through eBay.ca, breaking new ground, as it was the first time the site had ever auctioned a condominium to benefit a charity. The stunning One City Hall auction site was viewed by over 6,000 visitors, and registered 76 bids during the 10 day auction period. The One City Hall suite attracted bidders from the west coast of Canada, and the United States, and a fierce bidding war resulted in a final bid of $226,800, which exceeded the condo's market value. The proceeds of the auction contributed to the grand total of over $600,000 raised during the live broadcast.

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