People have already begun to move into minto775 (as mentioned in our post from a few weeks ago) but the building is not yet in its final condition. We’ve been addressing concerns about the delays at minto775 as they come up, but we wanted to share all the information we have with you in a blog post so you’re in the loop and know what’s happening.

We all know that there are two seasons in Canada: winter and construction. There is also more construction happening in Toronto than ever before and the trades are feeling the strain. This is making everything happen more slowly but we are working to get minto775 finished as soon as possible. We’re spending a premium on hiring our own contractors to finish the shelving, mirror and glass installation that had fallen behind.

Furthermore, on April 30th, the three-year construction contracts ended. Subsequently, the elevator unions and the drywall unions went on strike. This was an industry-wide earthquake that affected all builders. Now the drywall unions are back to work but the tile union is on strike.

Like you, we want everything to keep moving. We’re doing everything in our power to get the building finished quickly, like using our own trade workers where possible. We’ll keep you posted on the progress.

We can answer any of your questions or concerns here in the comments section or on Twitter. Don’t hesitate to get it touch.

Houzz Interior Design Ideas

If you’re already addicted to the Houzz website like we are, this app is a must. The Houzz Interior Design Ideas app is dubbed the “Wikipedia of interior and exterior design” by CNN – need we say more? It’s a great way to browse, save, curate and organize thousands of pictures and products to make your very own virtual design reference book. There’s also a forum where you can get answers to your queries from other who are just as design-obsessed as you are.

Paint Tester Pro

See it on Houzz, then try it out in your own home. Gone are the days of spending hours searching for swatches and then putting the little piece of paper against your wall, trying to picture how your kitchen will look bathed in yellow. This app allows you to seamlessly test any colour you want in any room. Just take some pictures and start colouring your world.

SnapShop Showroom

You’ve picked your room colours, and you have a general idea of what furniture you want – now take window shopping to the next level with augmented reality that lets you see what furniture will look in your own home. The SnapShop Showroom app allows you to picture exactly what that day bed would look like in your den without the commitment. Their catalogue includes many of the brands you’re probably looking for anyway and it’s growing all the time.

Landscaping will be the next big project and will be starting soon. Along with the landscaping, we’ll be constructing the garbage shed and the bike shed.

Back in March, we toured the Caledonia Towns model home designed by Ida Cristello from our design team. They’re working on a second model home now and we’ll bring you a virtual tour soon, so keep an eye out for that. In the meantime, have a look at the photos below to see how the site is shaping up.

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On Wednesday evening we welcomed an intimate group to the Minto30Roe sales centre to talk new home buying. When is a good time to invest? What should you invest in, and how do you know when the time is right for you? We were joined by Mark Stables of Benchmark, Natasha Rubin-Coupland from TD Canada Trust and Matthew Slutsky of BuzzBuzzHome.

Mark gave us the lowdown on what is hot in condo fitness amenities and why Minto30Roe will be in a class of their own. Natasha tackled the complex and intimidating world of mortgages. Knowing how to apply, what you can afford and what type of mortgage is right for you takes some specialized knowledge, but it’s also something anyone can get a handle on and Natasha is there to help.

Matt Slutsky started the evening with a glimpse into the exploding realm of the online real estate world. People are staring their new home search online in ever increasing numbers. With so much access to information, it’s easier than ever to find the right new home for you without spending whole weekends driving around looking for sale centres.

We have now completed the second floor and are working on the third floor slab while getting ready to begin verticals to the fourth floor.

The second and third levels are just as complicated, with multiple beams and varying slab thicknesses as well as columns that span two stories. The second level at WaterGarden houses both suites and amenities. The ground floor multi-purpose room and the aerobics & fitness areas (on both the ground and second floors) include 2-storey portions with columns going from the ground level to the third.

Our retail area along Yonge Street features the same 2-storey columns as well as varying steps in the slab (also known as cranks in the structural world) that work with the changing grades at street level. Now we’re finally working on what we would call a typical floor, which means repeating the same floor plate again and again. The typical floors will continue until the 5^th, 6^th and penthouse floors.

Meanwhile, our mechanical & electrical trades are not only keeping up with sleeving & running conduit prior to slab pours above grade but are staying busy in the underground parking garage. The mechanical crews continue to run drains, sanitary lines & sprinklers and install HVAC equipment while the electricians are roughing-in and installing lights. Both trades are moving up the building with rough-in and riser installation behind the formwork trade.

Over the next few weeks, we are getting ready to begin site servicing work, which means connecting the building to the city & regional infrastructure for things like water, storm and sanitary services. We’ll also be starting the restoration work of the historic Cox House. Here’s what the site looked like when we dropped by on an overcast day at the end of April.

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You heard right. While exciting, moving is generally a giant inconvenience involving grubby clothes, chipped fingernails and lots of takeout. But there are also some great things that come out of the whole ordeal. With residents starting to move into minto775, we thought we’d share some of our favourites.

1. Purging
That vase you got as a wedding gift that you could never bring yourself to get rid of? Now’s your chance! Who knows, maybe it just got “lost” in the move. By the way, if you have boxes you never unpacked after the last time you moved, don’t give into the temptation to peek inside. It’s already packed and ready for Goodwill. Lightening up always feels good. Even the packrats of the world will admit it after finally taking the plunge.

2. Finding things you thought you lost
Over time, things find their way into the darkest recesses of closets and drawers. Finding them is win-win; if you find something good, it gets a more prominent place in your new home. If not, more purging!

3. Discovering a new hood
From coffee shops to brunch spots to parks to shops for last minute gifts, finding the gems in your new neighbourhood can be tons of fun.

4. An excuse to go to restaurants
What? All the dishes are packed away and with the move only a few days away it’s not worth restocking the fridge. You could order a pizza, or you could try something from Toronto Life’s best new restaurants list.

5. Getting new stuff
The less stuff you have to move the better (see #1). This can mean putting some of your worse-for-wear possessions on Craigslist and upgrading to something that’s higher quality and helps you achieve the look you’re going for in your new home. Somewhere there is a house full of university students who will be thrilled to continue trashing your old couch.

6. The end of a long day
Whether you hire professional movers or enlist your loyal family & friends, moving makes for a long day. No question. When you’re fuelling up at the diner at 7:00 AM it’s hard to imagine that after all that preparation and stress it will all be over soon. So when that last box crosses the threshold and lands with a thump, you know you’ve made it. A beer never tasted so good.

7. Meeting the neighbours
It seems like you often hear about neighbours in the context of complaints. But despite the potential for conflict, neighbours are actually one of life’s special relationships. Impromptu dinner parties, borrowed cups of sugar and casual chats on the balcony are just the beginning. It could be the start of a lifelong friendship. So what are you waiting for? Go knock on the door and say hello!

8. Making it yours
Whether you’re moving into an old house or a brand new condo, there are tons of ways to make your new place your own, and a few apps to help you out along the way. Your home is your little corner of the world and each little project will make you fall in love with it all over again.

9. New beginnings
Eventually the novelty wears off, but the first few times you come home to a new place seem to feel special. Keep that feeling alive by continuing to discover your neighbourhood as it evolves, forging relationships with your neighbours and having fun with your new place by decorating and redecorating whenever you feel like it.

Even if you can’t find your cutlery or a corkscrew, you can still enjoy champagne and chocolate.

Jennifer arriving at her new digs.

Jennifer with our MasterCare team.

When you move in to minto775, our property management team will be instrumental to the process. Property Administrator Athiya Sherief, Property Manager Ranjeet Chugh, move-in coordinators Dianne Bryce & Nicole Andrabi (not pictured), Building Operations Manager Juan Gallardo (not pictured) and Director of Condominium Management Paul Martin are all on hand to make sure your move goes off without a hitch. You can find them on the ground floor of the west tower.

Just watch for the signs when your get off the elevator.

The MasterCare team will take you though your pre-delivery orientation, known as the PDO. This is when we help you go through every detail of your unit to make sure it’s perfect before you move in. If anything is off, our team will make sure it gets fixed before you move in. Our Spring project saw zero deficiencies on move-in, which is pretty remarkable.

While minto775 is essentially ready to be lived (the west tower, anyway), there is still some work being done around the site. Here’s what we’re finishing up now.

The front entrance is going to be amazing to come home to. But we’re still working on it.

Equipment is being delivered to the gym. We’re loving those gleaming wood floors.

This is the corridor connecting the east and west towers.

The courtyard still needs work, but it’s coming together.

More landscaping along the side of the courtyard.

Home ownership at Southshore is easier than you think. Now you can own the popular Crimson unit for $1235 per month. That’s probably less than you’re currently paying in rent. The Crimson at Southshore was designed for amazing value in a two bedroom and 2.5 bathroom townhome.

We’ve raised the main living areas up to maximize natural light in the kitchen and family room where people spend the most time. The Crimson also has a patio that’s just the right size and ready to personalize.

The location offers some pretty serious bang for your buck as well. Mimico was featured in Toronto Life’s 2012 list of the best neighbourhoods to get into. Toronto Life calls the area a small town in the middle of a big city. It has a sense of community and the kinds of amenities you don’t often find in conventional suburbs, like independent coffee shops, film festivals and art shows. Another huge perk? Mimico is right on the lake while most of Toronto is cut off by the Gardner.

Check out the Crimson floor plans below and learn more about Minto Southshore and  the neighbourhood here.

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Looking good, guys!

Meanwhile, this is what’s been going on on site since the official start of construction. First on the agenda is always the bulk excavation of the entire site. Approximately 120 dump truck loads a day were carted away. Then the team moved on to drilling shoring piles and tiebacks. About 150 of the 300 hundred piles have been drilled and tie back drilling has just started.

We’re preparing the site for the erection of the first tower crane in late May and concrete forming will start in late June. Check out the gallery below for a taste of the action.

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