DesignGuild

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Contributors: Rod Taylor

Mulroney, Catherine. (2007, 27 October). "Breaking from highrise herd not easy". Toronto Star.

Jayson Schwarz took another tack. For starters, he chose a mid-rise, mixed-use format for a building at Yonge St. and Davisville Ave., which he says was inspired by a place he'd seen on a trip to Athens.

He didn't want a similar fight for approval because delays would erode the profitability of a six-storey building. So he says he focused on what might appeal both to potential buyers and area residents.

"The neighbours wanted it to look nice and they did not want a glass tower," says Schwarz, whose firm, DesignGuild, settled on details such Juliet balconies to keep the appearance lively.

The building, slated for completion in 2009, has approval for 13 units, but Schwarz likens the structure's design to a Rubik's cube, explaining that units can be combined should buyers want a bigger unit.

"Exclusive elegance". (2007, 6 October). Toronto Star.

It's all about the location. Nestled midway between the tony residential enclaves of Forest Hill and Rosedale, and situated on a prime piece of Yonge St., with the world of Euro-chic shops and restaurants at its doorstep, DesignGuild is like a hub to the city's wheel.

At just six storeys high, DesignGuild is at a human scale ¿ connecting residents easily to the street level ¿ and with 13 suites, it's also exclusive.

The Georgian façade, like a Parisian pied a terre with a Manhattan-style canopied entrance, is by RN Design, and reflects the urban character of its surroundings. The interior promises more of the same with lobby and suites designed by Tanner Hill Associates. Layouts range from one bedroom plus study, to two-and-a-half storey, to penthouses; the suites offer three-metre (10-foot) ceilings, solid maple hardwood floors, oversized baseboards and crown mouldings. Because of the 12.2-metre clear span in the building's construction ¿ that is, no support walls running through it ¿ purchasers could combine two units without undergoing major structural changes.

Kitchen cabinets are made by Neff. Using a unique plywood made with specially formulated resin, and a euro screw construction, there's no need for highly toxic particle board and adhesives. Suites range from 900 to 2,400 square feet and are priced starting at $500,000 to $1.5 million, which includes a locker; condo fees are 41 cents per square foot. Call 416-361-9100, or visit designguildproperties.com

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