COVER STORY: Playground Condominiums at Garrison Point

Part of a vibrant mixed use King West community from Cityzen, Fernbrook and Greybrook, residents will have a four-acre park at their doorstep

Playground Condominiums at Garrison Point couldn't be more aptly named. Not only will residents have a signature four-acre public park on their doorstep, they'll be able to live, work and play in the trendy King West and Liberty Village neighbourhoods that Garrison Point abuts.Thanks to the spectacular new Garrison Crossing pedestrian/cycle bridge to open this fall, they'll enjoy connections to the waterfront and Coronation Park to the south, Stanley and Trinity Bellwoods Parks to the north, and Fort York to the west. Playground Condominiums is part of an exciting new mixed-use community from Cityzen Development Group, Fernbrook Homes and Greybrook Realty Partners, on Ordnance Street just east of Strachan Avenue.The 35-storey tower is under construction, with first occupancies slated for summer of 2019. The Garrison Point site was originally a landlocked industrial triangle separated from the surrounding neighbourhoods by rail lines. Cityzen and its development partners acquired the site from Build Toronto, an agency that manages the City of Toronto's real estate assets."What turned me on to this location was it was always close to Liberty Village on the other side of Strachan, and on the doorstep of King West and the waterfront," says Sam Crignano, president of Cityzen Development Group. "That's the beauty of this site. It's on the fringe of all these neighbourhoods."Garrison Crossing, built as two bridges over the rail corridor south of King St. and Liberty Village, will provide links between those neighbourhoods. It's the first stainless steel structure of its kind in Canada and in North America. It creates an interesting visual response with its spans that arch in opposite directions.At Crignano's suggestion for a solution that would yield the best design at the lowest cost, the city opted for a non-traditional Design-Build approach to get the bridge built. The Design-Build model uses private sector expertise to get large public infrastructure projects off the ground; the Dufferin Construction Company team won the contract to design and build the bridge.The new park at the base of Playground will provide much-needed greenspace in this area of the city. Residents of the towers or those from the adjacent neighbourhoods can relax, recharge or socialize in the four-acre expanse of green, or use Garrison Crossing to venture to the other nearby parks. "Our architects (Hariri Pontarini) recognized the importance of being on the park and did everything they could to maximize access and views," says Crignano. "They did an awesome job and people who live in the towers will have a bird's eye view. There are amazing views of city skyline from the west, looking out over the rail corridor. There are unobstructed views towards the east and south to the lake and of Fort York." The stylish glass and steel highrise features distinctive modern architecture and curvilinear accents.Residents will have direct access to the park through Playground and from a pedestrian walkway between two towers leading to the park and Liberty Village beyond. Those who purchased ground floor townhouses will front directly onto the park. Playground residents will have plenty of 'play' opportunities in their own building, with desirable amenities such as a fitness centre and spa, residents' lounge, party room, children's lounge, home theatre, outdoor pool and terrace with barbecues and fire feature.Units range from 350 to 1,000-plus square feet, priced from the $300,000s to the high $800,000s. Suites include studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedroom layout with or without dens. Amenities include a fitness centre with spa, resident's lounge, party room, children's lounge, home theatre, and outdoor pool with barbecue.Garrison Crossing is a pedestrian and cycle bridge built over the railways that run south of King Street and Liberty Village. The bridge is the first ever stainless steel structure of its kind in North America. Designed as two bridges, with spans that arch in opposite directions for a dynamic visual experience, the bridge will allow pedestrians and cyclists to access Fort York to the west, the waterfront to the south.and South Stanley Park Extension to the north, as well as the future Ordnance Park.Visit the Sales Centre and model suite, located at 25 Queens Quay East. For further information visit the website.PlaygroundCondos.ca

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