BuzzBuzzHome Logo

 
Change Location
 
 
MICHAEL B
Buzzer
reply 51 vote 5
 

Corner Units

I am sure this has been discussed in length at some point, but I am way to lazy to go find it. Any thoughts on the advantages/disadvantages of corner unit condos as opposed to the ones with only balcony windows? (aside from the obvious more natural light)
16
General Chit-Chat
 
 
 
TORONTO CONDO GARDEN
Buzzer
reply 10 vote 2
 
 
1 BEST REPLY
In this case, likely the west facing one is a better choice because of the better layout.  I personally would not want to walk past the kitchen AND the front door to get to the only washroom, like in the corner unit. Also the kitchen is fantastic in the first floor plan...with a ton of upper cabinets and a larger bathroom countertop. Big +++'s

I'm partial to large balconies and terraces here in Toronto because builders are constructing less and less outdoor spaces in new condos to keep prices "affordable". They are becoming a rarity here. Unless you consider a 2' x 3' balcony an outdoor space. That's a just a tease.  In the first floor plan you have TWO patio doors to the balcony.  Again a big +

I also would pick a place with a Gallery Wall for all my art. One long solid wall can make the space seem larger (and longer). Too much glazing means nowhere to hang my pictures. And can make furniture placement a little harder, too. As well as increased heating and/or cooling costs depending on your exposure to boot!

If this is for yourself, then pick what you like. Real estate is an investment, yes, but it is also a place to come home to...so only you can decide what is best for you. On resale, a good agent will market all the "pros" of your space.

IF the corner unit facing SW has an AMAZING view, however, then that might be the one to pick.  It better be amazing, though.  Because the corner floor plan is less than desirable. 

Just don't ever pick a place that looks at a wall or is 20 feet away from another building. You might tell yourself that you will get used to it.  You won't.  And your unit will feel like a prision.  Rent instead. In other words, don't buy something that would be next to impossible to sell!  Hope that helps :)
 
 
 
MATTHEW SLUTSKY
BuzzStaff
reply 1969 vote 68
 
 
More natural light. More views. Less shared wall space with a neighbour. Often further away from the core of the building. Often gives for a better split plan layout in a 2 bedroom.
 
 
MICHAEL B
Buzzer
reply 51 vote 5
 
 

By the core of the building, do you mean elevators/stairs/hallway? ..meaning less noise?

 
 
MATTHEW SLUTSKY
BuzzStaff
reply 1969 vote 68
 
 
@michael B ...every building is different, but yes. In a typical building the corner units are a bit further from the elevator shaft and the garbage chute, and as such there is less noise and more privacy.
 
 
ROY BHANDARI
BabbleBee
reply 467 vote 21
 
 
1
It's quite simple - the biggest draw of a corner unit is the glazing - more windows improve the views and natural light into the suite.  Any other advantages would be specific to each building.

This doesn't just exist in the residential world, typically in offices the head honcho would get the "corner office" and in low-rise homes, corner lots come at a premium.
 
 
BRIAN PERSAUD
BabbleBee
reply 274 vote 12
 
 
1
builders sometime balance the fact that corner units have more view opportunities by putting their prime units there or larger units. Some cities (like Toronto) mandate that builders need a certain number of 2 and 3 bdrm units...so they usually put them at the corner while more investor friendly units (ie lower priced) are closer to middle/elevator/garbage chute
 
 
TORONTO CONDO GARDEN
Buzzer
reply 10 vote 2
 
 
1
Pick the unit with the larger outdoor space. Sometimes corner units have better layouts and more glazing, but the layout of this corner one is awful. Who would want to walk all that way to that bathroom at 3:00 a.m.? If there is no ensuite, the main bath should be close to the master bedroom, at the very least.

I'm biased on picking larger outdoor spaces. More room to garden and to create an urban oasis :)

@TOCondoGarden
 
 
MICHAEL B
Buzzer
reply 51 vote 5
 
 
So theoretically the layout of the unit with the big balcony would trump the corner unit's increased glazing if they were appox. same size, floor & price.
 
 
PETER RZAZEWSKI
Buzzer
reply 18 vote 1
 
 
Sound. A night owl watching TV in the living room while the other sleeps in the room. The corner unit will be quieter. But when sleeping beauty awakes and realizes she needs to do her morning biz, the WC is a long way.

Both good units but I'd go with the bottom one for the reasons stated above and the more light, which is very important to me (love lots of morning light!!!).
 
 
ALLEN
Buzzer
reply 129 vote 34
 
 
1
Both are decent units and both seem to be less than 700 sq.ft. so even though the 2nd floorplan has a longer walk to the bathroom, you're only walking past a 10' kitchen to get to it, not really a big trek. The bathroom is also further away from the living space so it would be more ideal when you havecompany over.
I think the decision is up to the quality of views each of these unit has, though these two units are next to each other so I don't think the views would be very different from each other, other than the corner unit gaining a direct south view.

Another thing to think about regarding corner units is that you will loose a little actual useable floor area from the stated square footage as the Tarion guideline is that the floor area is taken to the outside face of an exterior wall. The more exterior walls you have the more this is included into your floor area.
 
 
MICHAEL B
Buzzer
reply 51 vote 5
 
 

Good eye - they are both 656 sq. ft. I like the idea that the washroom is out of the way..except at nite when I am sure to stub my toe on something on my way there. I wasn't aware of the guideline on corner units -interesting, as every bit of usuable area counts.

TCG - I never considered the 2 patio door exit to the big deck on the first layout & the kitchen is a big plus alright. Right now there is nothing blocking either unit, but that could change as its a parking lot now.

Thanks for everyones input!

 
 
ALLEN
Buzzer
reply 129 vote 34
 
 

Which building is this?

 
 
MICHAEL B
Buzzer
reply 51 vote 5
 
MATTHEW SLUTSKY
BuzzStaff
reply 1969 vote 68
 
 
Sorry, just for clarification, are we judging these two units? Or, talking about corner units in general?
 
 
TORONTO CONDO GARDEN
Buzzer
reply 10 vote 2
 
 
Very nice project, Michael.  Best of luck with whatever choice of Plans that you make...both seem to have awesome, panoramic views.  This building appears to be the tallest in the area, too.
~David
 
 
MICHAEL B
Buzzer
reply 51 vote 5
 
 
It was just a general question, but it kind ofmorphed into comparing the 2 units.I figured they were a good comparison as they were in the same building and the same size.
Thanks David.
 
 
 
 
 

Add a Reply

Login or Signup to add a reply
 
Follow

Search

Search Conversations:

 

Check These Out

The Townhouses of Cobble Hill, Townhouse

The Townhouses of Cobble Hill

www.thetownhousesofcobb...

Townhouse

118 Congress Street Brooklyn New York

From $3,650,000 To $3,875,000

 
Grove at Grand Bay, Condominium

Grove at Grand Bay

groveatgrandbay.com

Condominium

2669 S Bayshore Dr Miami Florida

From $849,000 To over $5,913,900

 
 

Welcome back!

We think you might have cookies disabled - if you do, you'll need to enable them before logging in.

Forgot your password.

Enter your Login Email below to reset your password.

Loading logo

Roger that.

We've sent you a link to reset your password. Now go check your inbox!

Join the Buzz

Email is valid
Password is valid
Full name is valid

I'd like to receive BuzzBuzzHome's weekly e-newsletter on all the latest real estate buzz.