1 Yorkville amenities space
There are some definite perks to condo living, and great amenities can make for a pretty incredible lifestyle. Used as an extension of your living space, they give you access to facilities you'd never have in a house (at least not a house that most of us could afford).
There are, of course, the types of amenities that automatically come to mind when you think of condo living. Things like indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Hot tubs. Decked-out gyms. Media rooms, party rooms, movie theatres and more. But there are also some truly unusual and next-level condo amenities out there. Here are some of our agents’ faves:
1. Next-level workouts
If you're a big fitness buff, you'll love the gym at EI8HTY8 Condos at 88 Sheppard Ave. E. It's fully stocked with everything you need for a good workout, including TRX apparatus. If you haven't heard of TRX, it's a system designed by a former Navy SEAL and offers a great workout that relies completely on your body weight. (You may have seen the distinctive yellow and black straps at the gym.)
2. On-site stress relief
The meditation room in Festival Tower at 80 John St. is a serene space that offers a quiet escape from work and life stresses.
3. A win for wine lovers
Bellaria Residences in Vaughan have wine cellars. Similar to lockers, they’re available to condo owners looking to store their wine collections. Cheers to that!
4. Pooch-friendly perks
Both 88 Scott St. and Liberty Market Lofts at 5 Hanna Ave. have convenient pet washing stations, which are perfect for rinsing off muddy paws before heading up to your unit.
5. For social climbers
Love a good climb? High Park Residences at 1830 Bloor St. West has a double-height rock climbing wall.
6. Treat yo’self
Apex at Cityplace has a spa and salon that’s for residents only. It's located in Club Vista, a premium amenities facility that also includes a pool, hot tub, sauna, gym (with free fitness classes!), basketball court, elegant dressing rooms and (of course) a cappuccino machine.
7. A place to play
Harbor View Estates has a three-storey, 30,000 square foot Superclub with all the usual suspects: gym, pool, saun , steam room, etc. But there's a reason it's not called Regularclub: it also has tennis courts, squash courts, a full-size basketball court, a golf simulator -- and even a bowling alley.
8. It's raining Zen
Love the feeling of a gentle summer rain? At DNA3 at 1030 King St. West, you can experience a rainy summer afternoon any time of year. Their serene rain room has a ceiling that’s basically a giant showerhead: you just stand underneath it and bliss out.
9. Get in the swim
Having a pool in the building is always great, but an outdoor rooftop pool totally puts the “cation” in your summer staycation. There’s nothing quite like feeling like you're at a posh resort...without ever leaving home. Fashion House at 560 King West has a beautiful pool with a fantastic view, but it's certainly not the only game in town for swimmers and sun worshippers.
“Almost all the new condos on the east waterfront have rooftop pools,” says Claire Earle, Sales Representative. “You can lounge by the pool, barbecue and take in the amazing lake views.”
Read about more amazing Toronto pools
10. A run with a view
Why jog with the masses when you can sprint on a private track five stories above the street? Zen King West has Skytrak, a 200m outdoor running track lining the fifth-floor terrace above the podium.
11. A calming space
The Saint at Church and Richmond is still under construction (completion 2023) but it will feature a meditation room with a salt wall. If the renderings are any indication, it's going to be gorgeous -- and super Zen.
12. Over-the-top luxury
No list of cool condo amenities would be complete without a mention of all the fantastic options available at condo hotels. Living in a place like The Four Seasons or the Shangri La has so many perks, from valet parking to room service to world-class spas.
Read more: Livin’ the 5-star life: Toronto’s top hotel residences
What condo amenities are on your must-have list?
It's easy to search listings on condos.ca based on the amenities you’re interested in. But if you'd like an expert to weigh in on the best condos amenities in the city, get in touch anytime. All our agents are specialists with deep knowledge of specific buildings, and they'll be happy to help you figure out which home is right for you.
What condo amenities should I be looking for?
While the features listed here all sound amazing, you'll only get your money’s worth if you actually use them. Buying a unit in a building with an amazing pool is great...if you're a swimmer.
Many buildings have hotel-style guest suites (which are much cheaper than hotels) that are perfect for when the in-laws come to stay, but do you really need one if everyone you hang out with lives in town? If you're a big entertainer with a tiny condo, a party room is good, but if your idea of a good time is a couch, a book and a cat, it’s probably not something you’ll use.
Same thing goes for a fancy gym: if you’re going to work out a few times a week, go for it. If not, you’re better off with a building that’s got a more basic fitness facility -- or none at all.
Do great condo amenities mean higher maintenance fees?
Not necessarily. Maintenance fees depend on a lot of things, including the number of residents in the building, the state of the condominium reserve fund, the age of the building and other factors. You can read more about maintenance fees here.
As it happens, a lot of particularly awesome amenities are found in bigger buildings, which means the costs to maintain those elements get split among more people. See for yourself: search for listings with an amenity you're interested in and take a look at what the maintenance fees are. They may be lower than you'd expect.