Verve | U/C | 39 st | 120 m | Downtown

[Rapid]

http://www.tridel.com/images/logos/verve_163.gif
Verve Site (http://www.tridel.com/verve/)
Downtown Toronto Condos & Lofts
Tridel Downtown Toronto Condos from $291,000 and Lofts from $234,000, impressively designed for living & entertaining. An urban resort — with an unrivaled spectrum of recreational facilities, including a rooftop pool. Located in the heart of downtown, Verve is your pathway to the city.

Verve is an energy efficient and environmentally friendly condominium. A LEED® candidate*, registered with the Canada Green Building Council to pursue certification by the LEED® Green Building Rating System, the most recognized certification system for high performance "green" buildings in North America.

An Urban Resort
A 39-storey tower and 6-storey loft.
An unrivalled spectrum of resort style recreational and leisure activities.
A rooftop swimming pool.
An open-air view of the city.
A state-of-the-art gym and fitness centre.
An innovative magazine room.
Fully-equipped party room and Multimedia theatre.
And more...

http://www.tridel.com/verve/images/building_400.jpg
http://www.tridel.com/verve/images/panorama.jpg
http://www.tridel.com/verve/images/masterplan_500.jpg
http://www.tridel.com/verve/images/amenities1st.jpg
http://www.tridel.com/verve/images/amenities2nd.jpg

Construction Updates

The day the crane was finally being erected--Nov. 13
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/4818/dsc00297il9.jpg

[CrazyCanuck]

Thanks Rapid! Good to see this one moving along.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Wow, the view from the penthouse will be insane!

[Rapid]

I actually can see the whole development from my apartment window, so holla if you want a quick update (I just have to face my cam to the window and click away, literally).

[CrazyCanuck]

If you'd be cool with a bi-weekly update that would be much appreciated, only a few pics are neccessary at this point.

[Taller, Better]

My 'hood is changing fast, and I like it! :colgate:

[Rapid]

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/9301/dsc00699lc3jm5.jpg

[phunky]

Nice! Thanks for the update!

[current]

Is the building rising in the foreground the Verve or the 500 On Sherbourne condo?

[phunky]

Oh pft! That's 500 Sherbourne, not Verve.

[valantino]

Is the building rising in the foreground the Verve or the 500 On Sherbourne condo?


neither

[catcher_of_cats]

You've just gotta love the park (or orchard) featured in the first posting.

[Martinsizon]

Is the building rising in the foreground the Verve or the 500 On Sherbourne condo?

490 Sherbourne, http://www.urbandb.com/canada/ontario/toronto/490_sherbourne/index.html

[current]

Thank you Martinsizon

[ratoronto]

Verve is now at ground level and forming of the 1st story/main floor is underway.

[current]

490 Sherbourne St called Wellsley Central Residences with 112 affordable homes is finishing the 11th floor so it is almost topped out.

Verve is working on the 2nd level.

[casaguy]

Verve construction progress Aug 17, 2007

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z133/markus919/verve1.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z133/markus919/verve2.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z133/markus919/verve3.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z133/markus919/verve4.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z133/markus919/verve5.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z133/markus919/verve6.jpg

[Dino Domingo]

Very nice. It's moving along quite well. And right next door will the 500. What are the heights for both? How many stories each?

[casaguy]

39 floors for Verve. They're about halfway.

[casaguy]

Taken this morning... Coming along nicely...

You can now easily see the colour of the glass.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z133/markus919/DSCN0716.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z133/markus919/DSCN0715.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z133/markus919/DSCN0713.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z133/markus919/DSCN0712.jpg

[CrazyCanuck]

That green sure is different.

[valantino]

'different' is too kind.

[Northern Lotus]

This building is really going up fast, they do about 3 floors every 2 weeks.

[Taller, Better]

I walk my dog past there pretty much every day... I know it is not going to be the most aesthetically pleasing structure in the city, but it will be clean and fresh looking, and extremely good for that neighbourhood. There are at least others going up right now within a block or two north east.

[Marco Polo]

Nicely going up.

[Taller, Better]

The green actually looks nice in real life. I took some photos yesterday and will post them... it is a light creamy mint colour. Such a relief after seeing the intense forest green of the "Artist's Misconception".

[yin_yang]

TODAY:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1341/1479358720_63d1eaeb1b_b.jpg

making awesome progress, more cladding up!

[look@round]

Nice pix, thanks!
It looks much nicer than the buildings on the left hand side, which are really ugly ones... Probably built in the 60's or 70's and which reminds me of the ones you can find in the worst French suburbs... All concrete, grey, charmless...

[Taller, Better]

But, tis the nature of a city to have architecture from different time periods, unless it is Dubai which will look entirely of a style of one time frame. What is attractive today is often considered "ugly" when the next style rolls round. But it is still part of our built heritage. God help Dubai when today's "style" is out of style and considered "ugly".

[yin_yang]

the mix of old and new is pretty attractive, it builds character...literally.

[ratoronto]

nice!!

[noob(but not really)]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1341/1479358720_63d1eaeb1b_b.jpg


You live downtown by any chance?

[yin_yang]

You live downtown by any chance?

ye man, college and yonge

[noob(but not really)]

Nice! I bet you go to that school in the above photo as well.

[yin_yang]

Nice! I bet you go to that school in the above photo as well.
i don't see a school there, which one do you mean? i'm at ryerson FYI.

[noob(but not really)]

i don't see a school there, which one do you mean? i'm at ryerson FYI.

Well, that's news to me.

I was talking about Jarvis(it's between Verve and that white condo building on Maitland).

[isaidso]

Regarding St. James Town. Sometimes ugly is always ugly, but if we didn't have ugly, we wouldn't appreciate beauty. It's that truism, you can't truly be happy if you've never experienced sorrow.

[Taller, Better]

"Ugly" is relevant, but it is hard to escape the element of "fashion" in architecture. Styles that are 30 years old often look "ugly" to the contemporary eye, and may look "beautiful" again in another 30 years time. Styles come and go. In the 1850's, colonial Georgian architecture suddenly became viewed as ugly, and much of it here was dolled up with more trendy styles. Now many people look back at the original Georgian styles as being the most attractive.

[isaidso]

In the end, it's all someone's opinion. I suppose ugly is something that the majority of people universally find visually unappealing. I can't think of architecture older than 80 years, that is very ugly. Perhaps, with technology and the availability of design to the masses we have entered a new era. In the past, the most respected were given the privilege and trust to design our buildings. Today, that small group is exponentially bigger, and thus, the results more likely to run the entire spectrum of what is possible.

Time will tell if architecture designed after 1950 stands up to the test of time. It might, but this phenomenon of mass access to design capability has never existed before. You are right to point out the fashion in architecture, but it's also possible that some of what is considered ugly, will remain ugly till the end of time. In that sense, it will be pioneering! Who said I never looked on the bright side of things?

[Skybean]

Oct 24, 2007

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/1802038785_6d1257dcbe_b.jpg

I wish the glass wasn't so pale.

[Taller, Better]

Are these your pix, Skybean? Beautiful! Did you move downtown?

[Skybean]

Are these your pix, Skybean? Beautiful! Did you move downtown?

No and No. However, I will be working downtown starting the beginning of 2008 and will be able to personally take photos of some of projects that are sprouting up everywhere!

[Taller, Better]

I was standing at Yonge and Wellesley yesterday, and glanced Eastward.. I was surprised how Verve changes the vista from there! Verve is looking nice as the greenish cladding goes on. It is really going to be a shot in the arm for that neighbourhood, as are the other projects going up there.

[NorthYorker]

I was standing at Yonge and Wellesley yesterday, and glanced Eastward.. I was surprised how Verve changes the vista from there! Verve is looking nice as the greenish cladding goes on. It is really going to be a shot in the arm for that neighbourhood, as are the other projects going up there.

Great. Can anyone get some street level pictures of the effect Taller is describing? I'm sure our out-of-town members would appreciate it.

[noob(but not really)]

^^T,B himself can do that. It is his specialty afterall. You are quite the noob(and i mean that in a nice way).

[Taller, Better]

I was cursing myself at not having the camera. Verve appears to be in the middle of Wellesley because of the curvature of the street.

[current]

Verve from the Queen's Park Cr. overpass bridge looking east along Wellesley St. From this view it looks like Wellesley dead ends at Verve.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2374/1833611820_984677dbc3_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/1833830521_5d16518db5_b.jpg

[Taller, Better]

Yes! Thank you.. that is the view I saw! It was from Queen's Park Circle after all...not Yonge and Wellesley.

[noob(but not really)]

That looks really cool.. like the street is completely enclosed with buildings.

[Taller, Better]

Here is an up to date photo of Verve:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/Autumn%202007/f5d4fc34.jpg

[current]

From the above photo it looks like Verve is about 30 storeys high so only 9 more to go.


Similar to Verve but not as dramatic is Pure Spirit on Front Street. The photo was taken at Simcoe St looking east.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/1849282962_c5255831d5_b.jpg


This photo was taken on Front at John Street. The crane in front of Pure Spirit is London and when London is completed it will replace Pure Spirit. Vu is also going to have a similar effect on Adelaide St.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/1849429136_e517f6f291_b.jpg

[416MGT]

found this on youtube.. . http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Rim6aSfrwHs

[WinnipegPatriot]

It looks so much closer to the CBD than the rendering in the ad for it...

[Taller, Better]

^^ You mean the Tridel Store on that Youtube? It is downtown... I think on Carleton and Yonge. Verve is between the gay village and Jamestown.

[WinnipegPatriot]

No...the Verve. Page one of this thread has the ad for it...and it looks further from downtown than it appears in those pics....just perception?

[valantino]

The green cladding looks much better than in previous photos. Still some height to go, eh?

[NorthYorker]

No...the Verve. Page one of this thread has the ad for it...and it looks further from downtown than it appears in those pics....just perception?

(Wellesley and Sherbourne) Is downtown, but far enough away so that the picture on the first page is still accurate.

[WinnipegPatriot]

Thanks!

[ratoronto]

verve is great for this neighbourhood, tower is growing fast!

[416MGT]

any news on progress?

[Taller, Better]

I think it is up to upper 20's by now.. and is looking very smart on that heretofore sad little stretch. The colour is quite lovely.. a cool, creamy mint green. Nice to see activity going on
around there- it can only benefit that area.

[Marcanadian]

Posted by Mike in TO from Urban Toronto.

Rising in the Skyline:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2172/2110879073_11e31a8055_b.jpg

[algonquin]

I've never even heard of this one.

[Taller, Better]

I counted last week and it was up to the upper 30's storey-wise by now. Looking good in that nabe that definitely needs all the help it can get.

[Tuscani01]

Question... Will Verve be ready for occupancy by August 2008?

[Taller, Better]

I doubt it... that would be pushing it a bit, I think....

[Tuscani01]

I doubt it... that would be pushing it a bit, I think....

ah well... Im looking for a place to rent for the next school year and was hoping it would be ready.

[Taller, Better]

I wouldn't bet the farm on it...

[Tuscani01]

I wouldn't bet the farm on it...

Damn you TB! Get over there and get those workers to rush!

[Waterloo_Guy]

There's so much going on in TO that this thing completely slipped my radar.

[BESTCITY]

interesting shit:banana:

[Tuscani01]

interesting shit:banana:

So im not alone! haha... lurker!:cheers:

[valantino]

Will Verve be ready for occupancy by August 2008?

for sure but probably not for renting

[Taller, Better]

Tuscani, look into Jazz south on Church Street. It is rental.

[Tuscani01]

Tuscani, look into Jazz south on Church Street. It is rental.

Funny you should mention it. I have been dealing with a rental agent from Jazz over the past week. I have a unit picked out. My future roommate went down today for a quote and to see more floor plans. The only problem is there is a waiting list and im not guaranteed a unit by August. Jazz is my first pick so I really hope something opens up!

[Tuscani01]

for sure but probably not for renting

ROCPII already has some units being rented out by purchasers. I would assume many would do the same for Verve.

[ericeric]

Many purchasers (is it just me or is that word rather awkward) advertise their unit to renters before it's even built.

[Taller, Better]

Funny you should mention it. I have been dealing with a rental agent from Jazz over the past week. I have a unit picked out. My future roommate went down today for a quote and to see more floor plans. The only problem is there is a waiting list and im not guaranteed a unit by August. Jazz is my first pick so I really hope something opens up!

If you get it and it is a decent view.. can I take pics?? :D

I have a friend in there, but her view is toward the lake.... :(

[valantino]

ROCPII already has some units being rented out by purchasers. I would assume many would do the same for Verve.

I highly doubt a developer would allow a condo purchaser to sublet the space before closing on the unit

[Tuscani01]

If you get it and it is a decent view.. can I take pics?? :D

I have a friend in there, but her view is toward the lake.... :(

Sure! Im really hoping for a view of downtown. Apparently the highest price for the unit I want is within my limit... so hopefully its one with a good view!

Valantino... Check craigslist and viewit.ca... many people are advertising units for buildings that arent 100% finished yet.

[valantino]

Advertising is one thing. Renting is another.

[Tuscani01]

Advertising is one thing. Renting is another.

No one said people were moving in already. Only that they are already being put up for rent and the building isn't even finished... which is exactly what is happening.

[valantino]

No one said people were moving in already. Only that they are already being put up for rent and the building isn't even finished



Honestly, WTF's your point then unless you plan on living in a cardboard box outside Verve waiting for you're rented room to open. ;)

"Renting out" somewhat implies renters are taking possession. Taking deposits and/or reservations on units would be concise

[Tuscani01]

Honestly, WTF's your point then unless you plan on living in a cardboard box outside Verve waiting for you're rented room to open. ;)

"Renting out" somewhat implies renters are taking possession. Taking deposits and/or reservations on units would be concise

I was correcting you. You said it doesn't happen, I said it does. Calm the fuck down, its not the end of the world:)

[valantino]

I was correcting you. You said it doesn't happen, I said it does.

Actually, it was you that misunderstood creating the confusion

Will Verve be ready for occupancy by August 2008?

for sure but probably not for renting

I'm fully aware people are advertising rentals prior to their occupancy but only a complete idiot would actually sign a lease agreement or leave a deposit without a confirmed move-in date.

[Tuscani01]

Actually, it was you that misunderstood creating the confusion





I'm fully aware people are advertising rentals prior to their occupancy but only a complete idiot would actually sign a lease agreement or leave a deposit without a confirmed move-in date.

Why would I be signing a lease agreement now if im not looking to move in until August? You're the one who misunderstood. I was asking if it would be ready for occupancy by August because if so, people would probably put their units up for rent 1-2 months before the occupancy dates. If occupancy was scheduled for August, then a renter could also move in on August.

[thryve]

Valantino's PMS'ing again... don't take it personally Tuscani :lol:

[Taller, Better]

Seems to me there's an unusual amount of PMS'ing and crankiness in the air today.... must be something to do with the weather.... ;)

[valantino]

Why would I be signing a lease agreement now if im not looking to move in until August?


OMG, I have you running in circles!!! Right on

I'm refering to those that actually reserve the units being advertised on those sites ... take a closer look at some of the "targeted" move in dates.

To somewhat expand on my original post, "for sure but probably not for renting ". I have no doubt the lower floors will be ready for occupancy by August vis a vis a partial occupany permit but not nearly enough of the building will be completed for the condominium draft plan to be approved. Yadda, yadda , yadda ... y-a-d-d-a, can't rent what you don't own.

[vancouverite/to'er]

I just found out they have a Tridle Sales center in Vancouver. Walked by it today. It actually featured this development. :uh:

[look@round]

^^ Yeah, I remember that when I was in Vancouver, I passed by chance once, but then I was unable to remember where it was!

A photo taken from Wellesley & Yonge. Strange to see this tall building now!
I've also noticed that they destroyed this big brick building on Wellesley, not so far from the subway station. Any rendering from this new condo planned?

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1254/img3936zp8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[current]

Photos taken February 22, from Wellesley looking east.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/2286757843_0e6dd3a45e_o.jpg

From Jarvis looking east at the Keg Mansion and Verve.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2287586276_e74ed4e009_b.jpg

From Shebourne and Wellesley Lane looking southwest with the pit for The 500 On Sherbourne in the foreground and 490 Sherbourne on the left.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/2286757863_1c9b0d343f_b.jpg

[Elkhanan1]

Wish this building could be flipped. The (north-)east elevation is much nicer than the (north-)west elevation. In other words, the less prominent side, facing Cabbagetown and the rest, is much nicer than the more prominent side, facing Queen's Park and the rest.

[Regan4000]

It really is a striking building, and is more noticeable than I ever expected. It's tall and relatively thick. I'm just not a fan of the teal and cream colours.

[Taller, Better]

This is one of the few buildings that I like MUCH more than the original rendering, which seemed to be a forbidding dark green colour.

[Regan4000]

Regardless of coulour, it's fucking massive. It's in between College and Wellesley right? When I walk or drive down Yonge, it really pops out of nowhere when I look East.

[Skybean]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/2258427087_f117f2a8fc_b.jpg
source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7791383@N05/2258427087/sizes/l/

[NorthYorker]

Great shot Skybean

[CrazyCanuck]

This is one of the few buildings that I like MUCH more than the original rendering, which seemed to be a forbidding dark green colour.

It's alone for now, which is cool, but it will be one of many in only 1-2 years.

[Taller, Better]

^^ Which is amazing news for this nabe. The more people who own condos around here, the better for everyone.

[Mollywood]

What's with that little curvy thing on the roof corner? They should have made it glass and put a room in there. (something useful) It kind of conflicts with the box on top but I guess they are trying to give it a distinctive design do-dad.

[Taller, Better]

^^ part of the trend from a few years ago to put a hat on top of every building. It is, as you say, a do-dad.

[Rapid]

Here's a quick update from my balcony. 7:50pm, March 26, 2008. Weather: 4 degrees, a few clouds; 24km visibility, unlimited ceiling.

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7563/vervevt9.jpg

[yyzer]

Nice pic there, Rapid....very nice light...:)

[Wrk_InProgress]

I never though I'd see the day where I actually liked the exterior of a Tridel building but now I like two (Verve and both Meridian phases).

[Rapid]

Nice pic there, Rapid....very nice light...:)

...courtesy of Photoshop's brightness function. It was kind of dark, so i'll take more serious pics later.

[Taller, Better]

This is what Verve looked like today:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/Autumn%202007/winter%202007/IMGP4158i.jpg

and as viewed through a break in the chain link fencing of Jarvis Collegiate (which scandalously puts locks on everything to keep me and my handsome dogs out).

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/Autumn%202007/winter%202007/IMGP4160.jpg

the green of the second one is actually the more accurate. I exaggerated a high fstop to give a
deep blue sky! ;)

[yin_yang]

how can you not like this building? it's first-class! the windows are suberb

[Taller, Better]

Not only is it handsome, but it is exactly what that neighbourhood needs. As I said once before, this is one of the few projects that turned out many times better than the Artist's Exaggeration.

[valantino]

it's not bad

on the other hand, the midrise senior's apartment building facing Sherbourne looked waaaaay better in it's rendering

[isaidso]

The 7 storey condo block behind the tower is the strongest design of the development. It's nice to see this neighbourhood getting so much development. It can be a fairly grim area with so many similar 70's apartment blocks around, so a modern glass condo is a welcome addition here.

[Taller, Better]

Pix from today showing the changing neighbourhood:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/Autumn%202007/winter%202007/IMGP4359i.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/Autumn%202007/winter%202007/IMGP4360i.jpg

[SOLOMON]

500 Sherbourne... I think is a really nice addition...

[Marcanadian]

Update from yesterday.

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/7830/img5039we4.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/9861/img5040ka9.jpg

[Taller, Better]

I got vertigo from that shot. Thank God you didn't end it all and jump! :D

[Marcanadian]

Update with the BA crane in the shot.

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/9471/img5212rf5.jpg

[Skybean]

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/9894/2528112300dcab3b73ecobb8.jpg

source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63077032@N00/2528112300

[Taller, Better]

Hmmmm... I suspect it was a long exposure, and that light by the CN Tower was probably a plane landing at the Island Airport.

[ONEILLT]

Skybean.........wow beautiful shot..City looks beautiful

[CrazyCanuck]

At 120 metres it sure looks tall in this area. That will last for only the next year though when the other taller 3-4 buildings nearby get built.

[current]

May 29

From Manulife
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2174/2542524141_f5ab5c2e0e_b.jpg

[Taller, Better]

There is my Keg!! :D

[Marcanadian]

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2733/img5385bl4.jpg

[Taller, Better]

While chatting with a friend on the phone this morning, he asked if I had seen the crappy entrance doors that Tridel are putting on Verve. While out walking the dogs I snapped this shot. The doors are putrid.. little single swing things that look like fire escape exits on the back of a building. Maybe the main entrance is on the side of the building, but this looks awful:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/dawnd_01/Autumn%202007/winter%202007/Summer%202008/New%20Summer%202008/IMGP0734i.jpg

[bigcityboy]

those look like standard retail grade doors. are you sure those aren't for retail?

[valantino]

verve has retail

[Taller, Better]

Entrance must be the unfinished part on the east side... thanks for the info!

[thryve]

You can see the posts above for hanging retail signage. This must be retail for sure... which is a surprise, cuz I didn't think Verve would have retail. Nice.

[Marco Polo]

Hey, but even for retail this looks substandard. Especially if it faces the main street.

Me no like.

[vancouverite/to'er]

Shoddy retail!

[thryve]

Not every building can have perfect ground level retail. I think it looks nice-- high ceilings fronted by glass. Nice, open and airy looking.

This isn't Bloor St.