Ignoring the scores of hideous monster teardowns, there are many good residential projects in Toronto. Since I can't cite the condominium 18 Yorkville (it was 2005) I can compliment the same developer, Gulf Homes, on its Hudson condominium on Spadina by Diamond Schmitt Architects. However, the 45- storey Spire condominium is almost 2006 (first occupancy in January, 2007) and it's the most beautiful new tower in the city. What a contrast to high-priced, pretentious buildings such as One St. Thomas. Why millionaires want to live in an ersatz 1930s skyscraper is beyond me, even if star U.S. architect Robert Stern designed it.

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Context Development and Enwave have signed an agreement to connect the new Spire Condominium, located at Church and Adelaide Streets, to Enwave's steam system.

"Context is pleased to be utilizing highly efficient steam from Enwave to heat the new Spire Condominium", says Sam Skurecki, Chief Financial Officer, Context Development. "Enwave's steam heating service allows us to meet our mandate of building a high caliber of buildings in the urban core by committing to a sustainable and reliable energy source like Enwave."

"We are extremely pleased that Context Developments have chosen to connect their new project, the Spire Condominium, to Enwave's district heating system", said Dennis Fotinos President & CEO of Enwave Energy Corporation. "In light of volatile natural gas costs, Enwave's reliable and cost competitive steam heating is clearly the way to go."

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In the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, Context has built the Mozo condominium, has the 45-storey Spire under construction, and is planning a third project in the area.

While not specifically built to the LEED standard, Poplak says there are many sustainable features in Mozo and Spire.

They include heat-pump systems in the units, which encourage conservation by letting residents control their own heating and cooling; low-e (low-emission) windows, which help reduce heating and cooling loss to the outside; and chutes with tri-sorters, giving residents a three-stream garbage and recycling system.

"The St. Lawrence neighbourhood was a pioneer in urban regeneration. It makes sense that they would embrace forward thinking as far as new development in the community and in retrofitting" older buildings, says Poplak.

Su Cadogan, who has lived for the past 26 years in a housing co-op in St. Lawrence, says the neighbourhood needs smart living.

"I think it's about time. The air quality down here gets really bad in the summer with the Gardiner and the Lake Shore rushing by," she says.

Many of the area's older condo and co-op buildings are reaching an age where they require mechanical retrofits or other upgrades, notes Cadogan.

"The crunch is coming. This year, the energy costs are going to skyrocket and people are going to start focusing on this stuff," she says.

Cadogan says it makes sense to build to the higher standards of energy efficiency now available.

"It would be nice to do it right, from the beginning. It's nice to think we might take a small step towards thinking of the environment."

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A whole new world awaits at SPIRE

With extraordinary views of city and water from all directions, Spire the Condominium brings a whole new meaning to downtown living. A stunning 45-storey glass tower located at the northwest corner of Church and Adelaide Streets near the St. Lawrence Market and overlooking St. James park, Spire is an $80 million tower in the heart of Toronto's downtown core.

Context Development, the same team that has brought us incredible projects including Tip Top Lofts, Radiocity and MOZO, broke ground at Spire on September 13, with occupancy slated for the fall of 2006.

In an area of Toronto where history and tradition meet the modern amenities of city living, Spire is the manifestation of living. Close to the hustle and bustle of Bay Street and the unique shopping and restaurants that surround the historic St. Lawrence Market, Spire is convenience and comfort wrapped within 45 stories of glass and steel.

Despite being over 70% sold, Spire still has a good selection of suite types available. Prices begin at $157,900 for a junior one-bedroom and exceed a million dollars for one of Toronto's most memorable penthouses.

All suites feature large floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding them with natural light and offering incredible views in all directions. The suites also enjoy generous balconies and nine-ft. ceilings in the main living areas. Engineered wood floating floors with your choice of natural finishes in the main living areas are installed atop a high quality sound insulation pad for added privacy and quality living. Bedroom areas are finished with your choice of high quality carpet.

Innovative kitchens are individually designed to best suit the layouts of each suite. Aluminum framed frosted glass doors on upper cabinets and a choice of solid finish lower cabinet doors ensure a modern look for years to come. Each suite comes with genuine 3/4-inch stone countertops, while some suites offer a custom recessed pantry finished with sandblasted glass. Your gourmet kitchen is topped off with a complete stainless steel package.

Modern bathrooms come with your choice of mosaic tile flooring, original design vanity complete with your choice of stone countertop and stainless steel designer faucet, custom-designed recessed medicine cabinet complete with expansive mirror, and designer-selected fixtures including a raindrop showerhead and stainless steel basin.

All Spire purchasers have a private meeting with the Spire design team to select the colours and materials for all standard and upgraded finishes.

And to top it all off, Spire offers amenities that will be the envy of all your friends. In addition to a 24-hour/seven-day-a-week concierge, secure underground parking with direct elevator access to the main lobby, an exclusive circular pick up/drop off driveway at the main entrance, a contemporary lobby overlooking a new lombard park complete with a fireplace and lounge area, and two fully furnished guest suites, Spire is also a private oasis!

A state-of-the-art health facility is professionally staffed with on-site fitness and recreational programs. Relax while soaking in the hot tub, get fit and toned with superior gym equipment, stretch and meditate in the yoga/multipurpose room, and enjoy the separate men's and women's spa-like change rooms. You can also relax and take in the sun on the exclusive fifth floor rooftop landscaped garden.

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A retro-fit and addition to the historic Tip Top Tailors building in downtown Toronto earned tiptoplofts by Context Developments and agency LA Inc. the award for project of the year (condo), as well as best newspaper ad (condo), and best project logo (condo). With additional awards for best direct mail (condo) for Radio City and best brochure (condo) for SPIRE the condominium, Context Developments was the most successful condo builder on the evening, winning a total of five awards.

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