November 2010 Ontario Economic Fundamentals
- Thread starter Ally
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Young buyers drive Toronto condo boom
The worldwide economic slowdown took a bite out of stocks and real estate values almost everywhere in the world.
But with a record 20,000 new condo units set to come online in 2010, the recession appears to have bypassed that part of the Toronto real estate market.
Love them or hate them, Toronto is fast becoming the city of condos.
The condo building boom that began several years ago is showing resilience, as low interest rates and a steady stream of eager new buyers are sustaining a market that looks affordable by international standards, some experts said.
Condo consultant Barry Lyon said 2010 is poised to be a record year for Toronto condos.
"We have become the largest condominium market in North America in terms of new production," he said. "Bigger than New York."
Read the full article here.
The worldwide economic slowdown took a bite out of stocks and real estate values almost everywhere in the world.
But with a record 20,000 new condo units set to come online in 2010, the recession appears to have bypassed that part of the Toronto real estate market.
Love them or hate them, Toronto is fast becoming the city of condos.
The condo building boom that began several years ago is showing resilience, as low interest rates and a steady stream of eager new buyers are sustaining a market that looks affordable by international standards, some experts said.
Condo consultant Barry Lyon said 2010 is poised to be a record year for Toronto condos.
"We have become the largest condominium market in North America in terms of new production," he said. "Bigger than New York."
Read the full article here.
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Sales boom for Ottawa condos, town homes
The city of Ottawa is experiencing a record housing boom, with first-time buyers of town houses and condos leading the way.
New numbers released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation show housing starts for town homes and condos hitting record highs.
Kristyne Lister, 22, just purchased a condo near Leitrim, expecting it to be finished by the spring.
Lister is about to graduate from university and felt it was a good time to buy. She said she`s not alone. Many of her friends are looking for condos too.
"Yes they are. It`s kind of scary that we`re all growing up pretty fast, but yeah everyone is thinking of buying their own houses. They`re in the process of doing it right now, if they haven`t already done it," Lister said.
She`s part of growing trend in Ottawa that has seen housing starts jump by more than 40 per cent this year.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says housing starts across the country are lagging but Ottawa boasts stronger employment numbers for people in their 20s. These are the people now looking to buy.
Read the full article here.
The city of Ottawa is experiencing a record housing boom, with first-time buyers of town houses and condos leading the way.
New numbers released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation show housing starts for town homes and condos hitting record highs.
Kristyne Lister, 22, just purchased a condo near Leitrim, expecting it to be finished by the spring.
Lister is about to graduate from university and felt it was a good time to buy. She said she`s not alone. Many of her friends are looking for condos too.
"Yes they are. It`s kind of scary that we`re all growing up pretty fast, but yeah everyone is thinking of buying their own houses. They`re in the process of doing it right now, if they haven`t already done it," Lister said.
She`s part of growing trend in Ottawa that has seen housing starts jump by more than 40 per cent this year.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation says housing starts across the country are lagging but Ottawa boasts stronger employment numbers for people in their 20s. These are the people now looking to buy.
Read the full article here.
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Condo sales surge in Ontario cities
Condo sales are booming in major Ontario cities and increasing in seven of eight regional markets in the province, Re/Max Ontario-Atlantic Canada said Monday.
Ottawa saw an 11.9 per cent rise in condomium sales during the first nine months of 2010 compared with 2009, while sales in the Greater Toronto Area were up 10.4 per cent.
The only market surveyed with a drop was Thunder Bay, where condo purchases declined four per cent, according to the real estate sales company`s tally.
Condos now represent one in every three homes sold in the GTA, and nearly one in four in Ottawa and Hamilton-Burlington, Re/Max reported.
Affordability is the main reason, said Michael Polzler, the company`s executive vice-president. With house prices rising, condos and townhouses have become the first step in home ownership.
Read the full article here.
Condo sales are booming in major Ontario cities and increasing in seven of eight regional markets in the province, Re/Max Ontario-Atlantic Canada said Monday.
Ottawa saw an 11.9 per cent rise in condomium sales during the first nine months of 2010 compared with 2009, while sales in the Greater Toronto Area were up 10.4 per cent.
The only market surveyed with a drop was Thunder Bay, where condo purchases declined four per cent, according to the real estate sales company`s tally.
Condos now represent one in every three homes sold in the GTA, and nearly one in four in Ottawa and Hamilton-Burlington, Re/Max reported.
Affordability is the main reason, said Michael Polzler, the company`s executive vice-president. With house prices rising, condos and townhouses have become the first step in home ownership.
Read the full article here.
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Mauled Canadian autobelt gets green energy lift
OTTAWA/VANCOUVER (Reuters) - For years the Windsor Tool & Die factory, a stone`s throw from the U.S.-Canada border, stood vacant, a testament to the breakdown of North America`s auto industry.
But last summer a group of former auto workers in Windsor, Ontario, a one-time Canadian car-making mecca just across the river from Detroit, rolled up their sleeves to scrape off the plant`s decades of grime.
The aim wasn`t to revive production of the auto machining parts the shop was once known for. Instead it got a new lease of life as a showroom and warehouse for the solar-power and solar water-heating systems sold by Green Sun Rising Inc, which is run by Klaus Dohring, who worked in the auto industry for 25 years.
Green Sun Rising, like dozens of other small businesses in Ontario, is taking advantage of the provincial government`s Green Energy Act, which was put in place last year and pays the richest, long-term rates in North America for energy from renewable sources like the sun, wind and biomass.
The plan helps the Liberal government of Canada`s most populous province meet a pledge to shut all coal-fired power stations by 2014.
Read the full article here.
OTTAWA/VANCOUVER (Reuters) - For years the Windsor Tool & Die factory, a stone`s throw from the U.S.-Canada border, stood vacant, a testament to the breakdown of North America`s auto industry.
But last summer a group of former auto workers in Windsor, Ontario, a one-time Canadian car-making mecca just across the river from Detroit, rolled up their sleeves to scrape off the plant`s decades of grime.
The aim wasn`t to revive production of the auto machining parts the shop was once known for. Instead it got a new lease of life as a showroom and warehouse for the solar-power and solar water-heating systems sold by Green Sun Rising Inc, which is run by Klaus Dohring, who worked in the auto industry for 25 years.
Green Sun Rising, like dozens of other small businesses in Ontario, is taking advantage of the provincial government`s Green Energy Act, which was put in place last year and pays the richest, long-term rates in North America for energy from renewable sources like the sun, wind and biomass.
The plan helps the Liberal government of Canada`s most populous province meet a pledge to shut all coal-fired power stations by 2014.
Read the full article here.
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GTA Housing Market Conditions remain healthy in September: TREB
Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 6,310 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September 2010. This represented a 23 per cent decrease compared to the 8,196 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. Through the first nine months of the year, sales amounted to 69,069 – up four per cent compared to the first three quarters of 2009.
Read the full report here.
Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 6,310 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in September 2010. This represented a 23 per cent decrease compared to the 8,196 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. Through the first nine months of the year, sales amounted to 69,069 – up four per cent compared to the first three quarters of 2009.
Read the full report here.
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Toyotoa Canada`s sales suffer steep decline; Ford sales rise
Toyota Canada Inc. saw a steep 22.7% decline in its October sales compared with a year ago as the automaker continues to struggle in the aftermath of a series of recalls.
The automaker said it sold 14,540 vehicles last month as sales of its Toyota brand fell nearly 25% compared with a year ago, and its Lexus sales fell more than 16% during the month.
The sales declines come despite the introduction of the Scion brand at 46 dealerships in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. In total, Toyota sold just 247 Scions in its first full month of sales. The manufacturer plans to expand its store-within-a-store Scion dealership network by next Spring by 40.
Toyota Canada`s sales are down 12.4% to 150,119 vehicles year to date, from 171,295 units it had sold by the same point in 2009.
The troubles at Toyota stand in stark contrast to most of its main competitors, who saw sales increase during October compared with a year ago.
Read the full article here.
Toyota Canada Inc. saw a steep 22.7% decline in its October sales compared with a year ago as the automaker continues to struggle in the aftermath of a series of recalls.
The automaker said it sold 14,540 vehicles last month as sales of its Toyota brand fell nearly 25% compared with a year ago, and its Lexus sales fell more than 16% during the month.
The sales declines come despite the introduction of the Scion brand at 46 dealerships in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. In total, Toyota sold just 247 Scions in its first full month of sales. The manufacturer plans to expand its store-within-a-store Scion dealership network by next Spring by 40.
Toyota Canada`s sales are down 12.4% to 150,119 vehicles year to date, from 171,295 units it had sold by the same point in 2009.
The troubles at Toyota stand in stark contrast to most of its main competitors, who saw sales increase during October compared with a year ago.
Read the full article here.
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Barrie: Skyward Opportunity
Buttonville`s loss could be Barrie`s gain.
City officials hope Lake Simcoe Regional Airport (LSRA) can take advantage of recent news that Markham`s Buttonville Airport is closing in the next five years.
"This is a golden opportunity to explore new business opportunities that will create high-paying jobs in the aerospace and aviation operations industries for the communities of Barrie and Oro-Medonte (Township)," said Coun. Michael Prowse, president of the LSRA`s board. "The Lake Simcoe Regional Airport has long been an underutilized magnet which has the potential to attract employers and higher-paying jobs to our area.
"The LSRA has plans for controlled growth and we believe we can offer a unique business hub and destination."
LSRA officials have been meeting with Buttonville Airport representatives and other involved parties since the spring of 2009 to investigate possible business opportunities.
"The type of business currently operating at Buttonville is quite diverse, and while we do see a great opportunity with perhaps some of those companies on site, we also see a golden opportunity with companies and services that may be located near the airport and, in fact, are relying on easy access to an airport for their business," Prowse said. "These would be businesses that are associated with the aviation and aerospace industry or companies that simply rely on access to air to ensure just-in-time supply chains for products."
Read the full article here.
Buttonville`s loss could be Barrie`s gain.
City officials hope Lake Simcoe Regional Airport (LSRA) can take advantage of recent news that Markham`s Buttonville Airport is closing in the next five years.
"This is a golden opportunity to explore new business opportunities that will create high-paying jobs in the aerospace and aviation operations industries for the communities of Barrie and Oro-Medonte (Township)," said Coun. Michael Prowse, president of the LSRA`s board. "The Lake Simcoe Regional Airport has long been an underutilized magnet which has the potential to attract employers and higher-paying jobs to our area.
"The LSRA has plans for controlled growth and we believe we can offer a unique business hub and destination."
LSRA officials have been meeting with Buttonville Airport representatives and other involved parties since the spring of 2009 to investigate possible business opportunities.
"The type of business currently operating at Buttonville is quite diverse, and while we do see a great opportunity with perhaps some of those companies on site, we also see a golden opportunity with companies and services that may be located near the airport and, in fact, are relying on easy access to an airport for their business," Prowse said. "These would be businesses that are associated with the aviation and aerospace industry or companies that simply rely on access to air to ensure just-in-time supply chains for products."
Read the full article here.
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Simcoe County`s growth plan adjusted
The tweaking of Simcoe County`s growth plan continues.
Ontario`s infrastructure ministry has proposed adding the Midland/Penetanguishene area as an urban node, joining Alliston, Barrie, Bradford, Collingwood and Orillia.
Barrie Ward 2 Coun. Jeff Lehman, who becomes city mayor in December, says this move continues the process of making many of the provisions of the Simcoe Area Vision document, which expanded the city`s borders into Innisfil, part of official provincial planning policy.
"It will make the population and employment forecasts official and will mean future municipal planning decisions in Simcoe will have to conform to the policies in the amendment," he said.
Lehman said city staff are reviewing this document and will need to go through all its wording before there can be a detailed response to any concerns.
But he said it appears there are generally few changes from what was announced in June of 2009, in terms of policies that affect Barrie.
Read the full article here.
The tweaking of Simcoe County`s growth plan continues.
Ontario`s infrastructure ministry has proposed adding the Midland/Penetanguishene area as an urban node, joining Alliston, Barrie, Bradford, Collingwood and Orillia.
Barrie Ward 2 Coun. Jeff Lehman, who becomes city mayor in December, says this move continues the process of making many of the provisions of the Simcoe Area Vision document, which expanded the city`s borders into Innisfil, part of official provincial planning policy.
"It will make the population and employment forecasts official and will mean future municipal planning decisions in Simcoe will have to conform to the policies in the amendment," he said.
Lehman said city staff are reviewing this document and will need to go through all its wording before there can be a detailed response to any concerns.
But he said it appears there are generally few changes from what was announced in June of 2009, in terms of policies that affect Barrie.
Read the full article here.
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Strong GTA condo market shows signs of strain
Is the Greater Toronto Area Toronto condominium market poised for a correction?
That`s what some economists are asking given the almost 36,000 units under completion that will add massive new supply on the market just when the economy is slowing.
"There is way too much supply in the pipeline and I guess the question is, where is all that demand going to come from," asked CIBC World Markets economist Benjamin Tal. "There is only so much foreign investment and immigration that you can depend on to drive the market."
With 275 projects in the GTA currently being marketed by developers, the Toronto area is considered to be the most active condo site in North America.
However, after a strong start to the year the market is now showing signs of strain.
Read the full article here.
Is the Greater Toronto Area Toronto condominium market poised for a correction?
That`s what some economists are asking given the almost 36,000 units under completion that will add massive new supply on the market just when the economy is slowing.
"There is way too much supply in the pipeline and I guess the question is, where is all that demand going to come from," asked CIBC World Markets economist Benjamin Tal. "There is only so much foreign investment and immigration that you can depend on to drive the market."
With 275 projects in the GTA currently being marketed by developers, the Toronto area is considered to be the most active condo site in North America.
However, after a strong start to the year the market is now showing signs of strain.
Read the full article here.
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Controversial Toronto waterfront site sold to developers
More than a decade ago, developer Alfredo Romano opposed construction of a mammoth Home Depot store on the Toronto waterfront.
He had company. In 1999, Home Depot`s decision to build the big-box outlet drew strong opposition from politicians and residents.
"I wasn`t opposed to putting retail in the area, but it was the size that was the issue," Romano said in an interview.
"What most people didn`t want to see was a big box."
The high-profile developer at Castlepoint Realty Partners confirmed to the Star Tuesday that he has purchased the Home Depot lands along with two other developers, Cityzen Development Group and New York-based Continental Ventures.
And he`s not ruling out putting a Home Depot in the area — if it`s the right size.
"If it fits the sensibility of the area and works within an urban setting, that would be a possibility," said Romano, noting that big-box retailers such as Canadian Tire already have smaller locations downtown such as the one at the Eaton Centre.
Read the full article here.
More than a decade ago, developer Alfredo Romano opposed construction of a mammoth Home Depot store on the Toronto waterfront.
He had company. In 1999, Home Depot`s decision to build the big-box outlet drew strong opposition from politicians and residents.
"I wasn`t opposed to putting retail in the area, but it was the size that was the issue," Romano said in an interview.
"What most people didn`t want to see was a big box."
The high-profile developer at Castlepoint Realty Partners confirmed to the Star Tuesday that he has purchased the Home Depot lands along with two other developers, Cityzen Development Group and New York-based Continental Ventures.
And he`s not ruling out putting a Home Depot in the area — if it`s the right size.
"If it fits the sensibility of the area and works within an urban setting, that would be a possibility," said Romano, noting that big-box retailers such as Canadian Tire already have smaller locations downtown such as the one at the Eaton Centre.
Read the full article here.
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CREAstats: Kitchener-Waterloo home prices jump 14.3% in October
The cooler fall weather was echoed by a decrease in residential home sales in October; however, sales for the year are at their second highest level ever.
Year-to-date, there have been 5,570 residential units sold, a 1.9 percent increase over last year.
On a year-over-year basis, sales declined 22.4 percent in October compared to the same period last year. Ted Scharf, President of the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board reminds consumers: "It`s always a good idea to look at year-over-year comparisons with some measure of caution. Last October the housing market was in the midst of a rebound and we saw a record number of homes being purchased and sold in that month."
Home sales last month totaled $134,352,425 and included 288 detached homes, 93 condominium units, 35 semis, and 26 townhouses.
The average price of all residential properties sold through the MLS® System of the KWREB last month was $302,596 a 14.3 percent increase over October 2009.
"This seems like an incredible jump in the average price," says Scharf, "but this time last year 54 percent of the sales were happening under the $250,000 mark. Last month, that figure was just under 40 percent."
The average price of detached homes sold last month increased 13.5 percent to $346,436 relative to one year ago. Condominiums sold for an average of $207,328 in October, a 14.3 percent increase on a year-over-year basis.
Read the full article here.
The cooler fall weather was echoed by a decrease in residential home sales in October; however, sales for the year are at their second highest level ever.
Year-to-date, there have been 5,570 residential units sold, a 1.9 percent increase over last year.
On a year-over-year basis, sales declined 22.4 percent in October compared to the same period last year. Ted Scharf, President of the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board reminds consumers: "It`s always a good idea to look at year-over-year comparisons with some measure of caution. Last October the housing market was in the midst of a rebound and we saw a record number of homes being purchased and sold in that month."
Home sales last month totaled $134,352,425 and included 288 detached homes, 93 condominium units, 35 semis, and 26 townhouses.
The average price of all residential properties sold through the MLS® System of the KWREB last month was $302,596 a 14.3 percent increase over October 2009.
"This seems like an incredible jump in the average price," says Scharf, "but this time last year 54 percent of the sales were happening under the $250,000 mark. Last month, that figure was just under 40 percent."
The average price of detached homes sold last month increased 13.5 percent to $346,436 relative to one year ago. Condominiums sold for an average of $207,328 in October, a 14.3 percent increase on a year-over-year basis.
Read the full article here.
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Ontario leads home building decline
The federal housing agency said there was an annualized rate of 167,900 starts last month, down 9.2% from 185,000 in September. The September number was revised down from the previously reported 186,400.
"Housing starts moved lower in October due to a decrease in urban single starts in all regions, with the exception of Atlantic Canada," CMHC chief economist Bob Dugan said in a statement. "Both single-detached and multiple starts decreased last month."
In October, housing starts in urban areas — those with populations of 10,000 or more – were down 12.3% to an annualized rate of 142,400. On this basis, starts were down 24.5% in Ontario, fallen 16.9% in the Prairies, off 9.1% in British Columbia, down 2.6% in Quebec but up 32.9% in Atlantic Canada.
Economists polled by Bloomberg expected a rate of home-building beginnings of 183,000 in October.
Read the full article here.
The federal housing agency said there was an annualized rate of 167,900 starts last month, down 9.2% from 185,000 in September. The September number was revised down from the previously reported 186,400.
"Housing starts moved lower in October due to a decrease in urban single starts in all regions, with the exception of Atlantic Canada," CMHC chief economist Bob Dugan said in a statement. "Both single-detached and multiple starts decreased last month."
In October, housing starts in urban areas — those with populations of 10,000 or more – were down 12.3% to an annualized rate of 142,400. On this basis, starts were down 24.5% in Ontario, fallen 16.9% in the Prairies, off 9.1% in British Columbia, down 2.6% in Quebec but up 32.9% in Atlantic Canada.
Economists polled by Bloomberg expected a rate of home-building beginnings of 183,000 in October.
Read the full article here.
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No housing bubble here, says BMO
Canadians have binged on low interest rates by loading up on household debt, pushing up home prices to levels that are now "moderately overvalued," say economists.
Average housing prices are about 11 per cent overvalued, but the market is not experiencing a "bubble" and is unlikely to suffer a U.S.-style collapse, says a report by the Bank of Montreal released Monday.
The estimate came as a separate report Monday noted that the volume of residential mortgages passed the $1 trillion mark for the first time this year, according to the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP).
Read the full article here.
Canadians have binged on low interest rates by loading up on household debt, pushing up home prices to levels that are now "moderately overvalued," say economists.
Average housing prices are about 11 per cent overvalued, but the market is not experiencing a "bubble" and is unlikely to suffer a U.S.-style collapse, says a report by the Bank of Montreal released Monday.
The estimate came as a separate report Monday noted that the volume of residential mortgages passed the $1 trillion mark for the first time this year, according to the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals (CAAMP).
Read the full article here.
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GM records $2B profit on IPO plans, production pick up
DETROIT — General Motors Co. posted a US$2-billion third quarter profit on Wednesday amid increased production and planning for an IPO that could be completed later this month.
GM`s profit met the expected range it outlined last week when it said it expected a full-year profit, which would be its first since 2004, and released details of its plans for an offering of common and preferred shares.
The automaker reported earnings per share of US$1.20.
It posted revenue of US$34.1 billion in the third quarter. GM emerged from its government-funded bankruptcy in July 2009, making year-ago comparisons less relevant.
GM`s profit topped U.S. No. 2 rival Ford Motor Co`s US$1.7 billion third-quarter profit, and Chrysler`s US$84 million net loss for the quarter.
Read the full article here.
DETROIT — General Motors Co. posted a US$2-billion third quarter profit on Wednesday amid increased production and planning for an IPO that could be completed later this month.
GM`s profit met the expected range it outlined last week when it said it expected a full-year profit, which would be its first since 2004, and released details of its plans for an offering of common and preferred shares.
The automaker reported earnings per share of US$1.20.
It posted revenue of US$34.1 billion in the third quarter. GM emerged from its government-funded bankruptcy in July 2009, making year-ago comparisons less relevant.
GM`s profit topped U.S. No. 2 rival Ford Motor Co`s US$1.7 billion third-quarter profit, and Chrysler`s US$84 million net loss for the quarter.
Read the full article here.
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Queen West Triangle welcomes new crowd
The Queen West Triangle, an enclave formed by the CN tracks curving northwest out of downtown, Dovercourt Road to the east, and Queen Street to the north, is a mess right now. Cranes toil, building 20-storey condo towers. Guys in dusty hoodies, hardhats and steel-toed boots mix with women teetering through the mud in suede high-heeled boots, clutching floor plans and price lists.
But there is a third group here too: a cyclist carrying a saxophone, a woman with a roll of canvas under her arm. These are the new residents of Artscape Triangle Lofts, on tiny Abell Street.
Four years ago, when developers descended to rezone this industrial area for high-rises, the neighbourhood (which had mostly enjoyed the arrival of the Drake and Gladstone hotels, and Starbucks, but was less enthused to welcome backhoes) fought back. As a compromise, activists cut a deal with the builders, to provide affordable lofts that will allow artists to remain as yuppies invade.
In exchange for neighbourhood blessing of his towers, Alan Saskin, the principal of Urbancorp, sold the first three storeys of his Westside Gallery Loft condominium building, for $8.4-million, to Artscape, a not-for-profit organization. Artscape in turn sold 48 units to artists — and rented the other 20 to artists — at about $262 per square foot. (Market condos retail around here for $450 per square foot).
Read the full article here.
The Queen West Triangle, an enclave formed by the CN tracks curving northwest out of downtown, Dovercourt Road to the east, and Queen Street to the north, is a mess right now. Cranes toil, building 20-storey condo towers. Guys in dusty hoodies, hardhats and steel-toed boots mix with women teetering through the mud in suede high-heeled boots, clutching floor plans and price lists.
But there is a third group here too: a cyclist carrying a saxophone, a woman with a roll of canvas under her arm. These are the new residents of Artscape Triangle Lofts, on tiny Abell Street.
Four years ago, when developers descended to rezone this industrial area for high-rises, the neighbourhood (which had mostly enjoyed the arrival of the Drake and Gladstone hotels, and Starbucks, but was less enthused to welcome backhoes) fought back. As a compromise, activists cut a deal with the builders, to provide affordable lofts that will allow artists to remain as yuppies invade.
In exchange for neighbourhood blessing of his towers, Alan Saskin, the principal of Urbancorp, sold the first three storeys of his Westside Gallery Loft condominium building, for $8.4-million, to Artscape, a not-for-profit organization. Artscape in turn sold 48 units to artists — and rented the other 20 to artists — at about $262 per square foot. (Market condos retail around here for $450 per square foot).
Read the full article here.
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A collection of strange and intriguing Toronto homes
A post on strange and beautiful homes seemed the next logical step after I put together a collection of "hidden" streets in Toronto last week. Truth be told, with the sheer number of noteworthy examples of residential architecture in Toronto it`d be possible to do a series of posts on these locations, but the incongruous juxtaposition of the good and the bad just strikes me as a bit more interesting.
What follows below is a collection of some of the houses that I`ve actually encountered on my various travels around the city. But for those who are interested in seeing more of these missteps and marvels, I`ve gathered together a few links at the bottom for further viewing pleasure. And, as always, if there are additional residences readers deem worthy of note in the comment section, I`ll add a few of those that I`ve yet to come across (or failed to notice somehow).
Read the full article here.
A post on strange and beautiful homes seemed the next logical step after I put together a collection of "hidden" streets in Toronto last week. Truth be told, with the sheer number of noteworthy examples of residential architecture in Toronto it`d be possible to do a series of posts on these locations, but the incongruous juxtaposition of the good and the bad just strikes me as a bit more interesting.
What follows below is a collection of some of the houses that I`ve actually encountered on my various travels around the city. But for those who are interested in seeing more of these missteps and marvels, I`ve gathered together a few links at the bottom for further viewing pleasure. And, as always, if there are additional residences readers deem worthy of note in the comment section, I`ll add a few of those that I`ve yet to come across (or failed to notice somehow).
Read the full article here.
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New Orillia mayor has high hopes for city, council
Looking out the window of his Harvie Settlement Road office, Angelo Orsi sees progress in action.
The old house on the hill, which is home to his companies, Charter Construction and Mariposa Homes, sits above the fastest-growing section of the city -- West Ridge. Some call it Orsi-ville.
He sees the restful residences and bustling businesses that have been built on property his family invested in during the late 1980s. When he looks down the hill, he feels a sense of pride and ownership.
Next month, he`ll be able to look out any window in town and feel the same.
The 44-year-old mayor-elect has come a long way from his days as a corn picker on a Bradford farm. He is now the owner of the two companies mentioned, as well as Steel Tree Structures. He is also part-owner of Ora Kitchens and has other landholding companies.
Orsi lived in Thornhill and Richmond Hill before his family moved to Bradford when he was about five. He lived on a farm there into his teens.
Read the full article here.
Looking out the window of his Harvie Settlement Road office, Angelo Orsi sees progress in action.
The old house on the hill, which is home to his companies, Charter Construction and Mariposa Homes, sits above the fastest-growing section of the city -- West Ridge. Some call it Orsi-ville.
He sees the restful residences and bustling businesses that have been built on property his family invested in during the late 1980s. When he looks down the hill, he feels a sense of pride and ownership.
Next month, he`ll be able to look out any window in town and feel the same.
The 44-year-old mayor-elect has come a long way from his days as a corn picker on a Bradford farm. He is now the owner of the two companies mentioned, as well as Steel Tree Structures. He is also part-owner of Ora Kitchens and has other landholding companies.
Orsi lived in Thornhill and Richmond Hill before his family moved to Bradford when he was about five. He lived on a farm there into his teens.
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