The City of Toronto has given the go ahead for Canderel Stoneridge to build the tallest, all-residential tower in Canada. A press release announced Friday November 16th describes the triumphant yet rigorous process that Canderel Stoneridge underwent to get the City's approval for this iconic building. AURA's announcement immediately created a frenzy amidst the media circuit. The Toronto Star named AURA 'A New Era' and a 'Vertical Village' and City TV says AURA's launch will create fireworks!

AURA will offer residents an elevated living experience like no other. Direct underground access to the College Park subway and shops, 190,000 sq ft of prime retail shopping at the base of the building, a world class recreational facility, exceptional finishes in each residence and out of this world views of Toronto's skyline.

AURA is expected to launch in the Spring of 2008. Stay tuned for details on our upcoming preview sales event!

AURA will be the biggest condominium launch of 2008!

Source

City's First Ever International Architectural Peer Review Process Helps Shape Design of Landmark 75 Storey, 243m Tower

Toronto, November 16, 2007- Canderel Stoneridge Equity Group, a leading condominium developer in the GTA, announced details of Canada's largest new condominium tower called AURA, at a media conference held today in Toronto. Currently designed to stand 243 meters and 75 storeys tall, today's announcement signified the resolution of a process between the developer, local politicians and city staff which saw the building's design subjected to Toronto's first ever, international architectural peer review process.

"This is a signature intersection for the City, that demanded a signature development," says Canderel Stoneridge Equity Group's President Michael La Brier. "As such, both on our own and in cooperation with Councillor Kyle Rae and the City of Toronto, we sought out independent design reviews by some of North America's leading architects. With only minor revisions, these independent review panels fully endorsed our project, its architecture and its magnitude."

Designed by the Canadian firm of Graziani + Corazza Architects, Canderel Stoneridge, in August 2006, initiated an independent architectural review of AURA to support their proposed design. A review was conducted by the celebrated architects Eberhard Zeidler of Zeidler Parntership Architects and René Menkès of Menkès Shooner Dagenais Letourneux Architectes, who endorsed the project.

Following their positive report, the City of Toronto then requested a further independent review and KPMB's Bruce Kuwabara, along with American architects Jon Pickard from Pickard Chilton and Josh Chaiken of Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects joined Zeidler and Menkès for an additional review. Echoing the results of the first review, this panel again reported favourably on Canderel Stoneridge's proposed designs.

"The independent review was an important step and served to echo our long held belief that this was the right architecture at the right location," says Barry Graziani, of Graziani + Corazza Architects. "We encouraged the developer to challenge themselves, and our firm, by subjecting our vision to the most stringent evaluation possible- by some of the best minds in the business. The resulting recommendations made by our esteemed colleagues, particularly in terms of the manner in which the podium meets the street, were welcomed and have made for an even better design."

Michael La Brier says that the panel first and foremost supported Canderel Stoneridge's belief that this was the most suitable site for Toronto's largest condominium tower, adding that "the panel endorsed our designs and requested limited architectural changes which will undoubtedly make a great project even better. The panel's focus was on the use and application of materials to ensure the reality of the picture. They shared our belief that there can be no shortcuts in a project of this nature."

According to La Brier, however, the greatest impact of the review process may be felt not on the project itself, but in its implications for the city, noting that the process, "which we entered into willingly, should serve as a model for the City in all its future high profile, high impact projects. With a proviso to market conditions, Toronto must continue to demand more of its developers and their designs, and it must subject them to the unassailable scrutiny of an independent review panel as a basic part of doing business."

As Canada's largest single condominium tower, AURA will boast 1.3 million sq. ft., with 1.1 million of that devoted exclusively to residential space. The development will also include 190,000 sq. ft. of prime retail space at the podium level, plus additional recreational spaces. The development is located at the corner of Yonge and Gerrard, adjacent to College Park, and will mark Canderel Stoneridge's third residential condominium building at the site, following the award-winning Residences of College Park I and II.



Source

Following the tremendous success of Phases I and II of its College Park community, Canderel Stoneridge Equity Group is proud to announce the third and final phase of the popular development - Aura at College Park.

With Phase I construction nearing completion and its 663 suites sold out, and Phase II's 540 suites already 98per cent sold, Aura promises to be the most exciting phase of The Residences of College Park. And there's plenty to be excited about!

When it rises, the Aura condominium building will become a landmark in this area. Located on the northwest corner of Yonge and Gerrard, the all-glass modern tower will dazzle with its blue-grey tint. Aura was designed inside and out by renowned and award-winning architectural firm Graziani + Corazza. By creatingthe interiors to mimic the tower's simplistic design, the resulting look is a timeless, elegant space in an urban setting.

Part of this downtown centre's rejuvenation plan, The Residences of College Park has turned this once unused area into a thriving community. When Phase I and II are completed, over 1,500 residents will occupy these 51- and 45-storey towers on Bay.

Aura, the last piece of the puzzle, will offer its residents a state-of-the-art recreation centre, a four-storey lobby, guest suites, spectacular views and exclusive finishes that are signatures of each Canderel Stoneridge building.

The soaring downtown project owes its strong popularity with purchasers as much to its prime location as to its industry-leading list of amenities, features and services.

Located in the heart of Toronto's art deco-inspired, historic College Park community, The Residences of College Park has become one of the downtown Toronto's most desirable and most sought-after addresses. Residents who choose to call Aura's chic and fashionable location "home" will also soon come to appreciate the convenience of its direct indoor access to the College Park Subway Station, underground parking and its proximity to a host of the city's most popular restaurants, entertainment and cultural venues, boutiques, shops and cafés - all just outside their door. Winners, Richtree Market Restaurant and a 24-hour Dominion are all located in the College Park complex. And, some of the world's top-name retailers will set up shop in Aura's 100,000 sq. ft. of retail space.

With its prime Yonge and Gerrard location, Aura will be close to the major hospitals on University Avenue, the University of Toronto, Ryerson, Mars Discovery Centre, Eatons Centre, AMC theatres and all of the shopping and entertainment of Bloor-Yorkville.

For the source or full article, click here.