Homework
As condos transform the village, you’ve got to study to know what you want
story and photos by Adam Schwabe

We’ve all spent our fair share of time drinking, dancing and eating in the village (pigs in a blanket or Express Pizza, anyone?), but what about settling down in it? What should buyers, especially firsttimers, look for when shopping in the gaybourhood? Booming growth in the area gives you more choices, with at least a half dozen new condos going up around along Sherbourne between Bloor and Wellesley.

Jeff Mahannah, a Royal LePage sales rep who knows a lot about central and waterfront areas, has sealed the deal for a number of friends of mine in and around Church Street. Mahannah suggests having an open mind. “It may not be the place you’ll live in forever, but sometimes it just makes sense to get something that gets you into the market.”

First off, says Mahannah, it’s worth giving serious thought about whether you want to live in a newer building or an older one. With new buildings, you’ll likely get more amenities like a concierge and pool, but they come at a price. In older buildings, you’ll save money on these things, but then will have to consider shelling out on top of your maintenance fees for things like a gym membership. Sometimes the suites of older buildings are a bit bigger, while the finishes can be somewhat dated.

Mahannah says condos like X (45 storeys slated for completion in 2009) and Verve (a 39-storey tower and sixstorey loft complex scheduled to have its first occupants in fall 2008) offer buyers sophisticated interior spaces and decent amenities for a reasonable price.

Dave Steinberg lives with his partner Kevin in one of the two towering Radio City condos on Mutual Street. Steinberg originally bought the place on his own a couple years back, and couldn’t be happier with his decision—it’s convenient because it cuts down on his commuting.

“I’ve lived in a bunch of places in Toronto, and wherever I was living, I found myself spend more time going to the village,” says Steinberg. “It was a combination of the village being the centre of my social life, and in seeing how beautiful the building and its suites were.”

Making proper renovation plans and setting money aside for them can make things less stressful. Says Steinberg: “I didn’t really know what I was doing so I didn’t do everything I was supposed to do properly. I have an unfinished bathroom with an ugly door.”

Steinberg says having a good real estate agent is a great asset. Reading the fine print on all the paperwork is especially important when purchasing a condo, since completion dates, occupation times and how the building’s board and management will operate are all important considerations.

Roberto Fajardo and his partner Richard bought just outside of the village near Church and Lombard. While he spends a fair amount of his time socializing in the village, he finds the idea of living there a little overwhelming: “It’s good to have a bit of separation.”

Fajardo cooks fairly often so the convenient proximity of the historic St. Lawrence Market area is a huge bonus, “What’s really important is having a place where you can get your coffee, buy your food and somewhere where you can just go for a walk and feel a sense of community.” Your attitude toward nightlife should also play a part in deciding whether the gaybourhood is right for you.

Though it’s not as contentious as the straight Entertainment District, Church remains a destination. Is the sound of partying exciting or annoying? Fajardo suggests visiting the neighbourhood you’re interested in at different times of the day and week. It’s no surprise that a Saturday night near Church and Wellesley—drag queens and drunken university students blowing off steam—is going to have a drastically different feeling than a Monday morning, when the village is mostly seniors and flight attendants drinking coffee.

The village is certainly going through a transition period. With many queers flocking to Queer West and east to Leslieville (see the item on Queen East in this issue), you can’t help but wonder what the village will look like a year or two from now. One thing is for sure, though: there’ll be more condos wooing potential buyers.

Adam Schwabe writes for www.blogto.com