<\/p>\n
The tricked-out gym. A private dog park. Service personnel going above and beyond. Buildings with unique amenity offerings enhance condo life, making it more comfortable, convenient and enticing. And when it comes time to sell, those extras will make the unit stand out from the rest.<\/p>\n
Looking for a condo that will be a wonderful home right now \u2014 and also position you down the road for a good potential return on your investment? Consider this smart piece of advice from Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Canada Realtors in major Canadian cities: Pay attention to the amenities.<\/p>\n
This is sound and timely advice, given the current condo scenario, as the slower market of the past year provides exciting opportunities for strategic plays in the luxury sector. \u201cIt\u2019s a great moment for domestic buyers to take advantage of this lull and buy some incredible assets that are available in some of the top buildings [in cities],\u201d says Andy Taylor, Broker and Senior Vice-President of Sales at Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Canada in Toronto<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
MONTR\u00c9AL<\/strong><\/p>\n
While any pool is a nice perk, larger ones have more appeal, notes Cyrille Girard, a Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Qu\u00e9bec Real Estate Broker<\/a>. \u201cI have a property in one building with a 25-metre pool, which is semi-Olympic and allows you to not just swim but [also] to really train.\u201d
\nThat said, Girard believes that the best amenity in the luxury condo sector is exclusivity which is delivered by only a select few of the properties in Montr\u00e9al. \u201cAt the Four Seasons, there are only 18 residences,\u201d he points out. \u201cPeople paying luxury prices don\u2019t want 550 other units in their building with residents in studios and one-bedrooms.\u201d The condos in Montr\u00e9al\u2019s Four Seasons Private Residences offer the privilege of sharing a building with Four Seasons Hotel, granting them integrated access to Marcus, a gourmet restaurant helmed by acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson, along with premium housekeeping services.<\/p>\nVANCOUVER<\/strong><\/p>\n
Many luxury condo buyers are not looking for just a home for themselves; they also want a home for their cars, says Will McKitka, a Senior Vice-President of Sales at Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Canada in Vancouver<\/a>. \u201cHigh-net-worth individuals tend to purchase nice vehicles, so a private garage is something [they would] expect north of $10 million.\u201d Wine storage is another typical request. \u201cClimate-controlled wine lockers are one example of that. At the Alberni, there\u2019s a wine tasting room with a 20-seat table that\u2019s fun and prestigious to walk your friends through.\u201d<\/p>\n
Design is another major draw that differentiates a high-end property, notes Kevin Hardy, Senior Vice-President of Sales at Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Canada in Vancouver<\/a>. \u201cIf we\u2019re talking architectural hyper-luxury buildings, there are really just a few of them \u2014 the Alberni, the Butterfly and the Erickson.\u201d Led, respectively, by \u201cstarchitects\u201d Kengo Kuma, Bing Thom and Arthur Erickson, these three condo towers deliver a strong design statement with their sculptural fa\u00e7ades. They all take advantage of Vancouver\u2019s ultimate amenity: the natural landscape. The Alberni features an expansive private moss garden, the Butterfly integrates open-air \u201csky garden\u201d breezeways in between units, and the Erickson boasts top-notch waterfront views. \u201cVancouver is the most beautiful place in Canada in the fall, moving into summer,\u201d says Hardy, \u201cso people want to enjoy that.\u201d<\/p>\n
VICTORIA<\/strong><\/p>\n
Also defined by spectacular surroundings is the city of Victoria, where the bountiful amenities at high-end condos maximize the natural setting. While many units feature large patios and communal garden areas that open right up to the waterfront, Pier One on Montreal Street takes it up a notch with its own private marina. \u201cThey rent out the slips, and if not everybody in the building has a boat, they offer what\u2019s left to a waiting list,\u201d says Robyn Wildman, Senior Vice-President of Sales at Sotheby\u2019s International Realty Canada in Victoria<\/a>.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s not just the residents who benefit from the condo\u2019s amenities; their extended families also enjoy them. \u201cA lot of our buildings have great guest suites,\u201d Wildman says, noting that this extra feature makes it easy for out-of-town family members to visit. \u201cWe\u2019re a very touristy town with a lot of good restaurants and fun activities through out the seasons. Everyone likes to get in on those.\u201d<\/p>\n
And still on the subject of seasons, there\u2019s a condo amenity that Wildman points out as particularly useful (and invaluable) on muddy spring days \u2014 a pet wash station, \u201cIt\u2019s one of the things that really gets [condo dwellers] excited!\u201d<\/p>\n