Would you want to live a stone throw from an express-way?

MOO STASH

BabbleBee

301

21

Would you want to live a stone throw from an express-way?

Last week I was driving down the Gardiner, and was blow away by how close Garrison at the Yard is being built to the Gardiner Expressway. Stuck in traffic, right at the site, I thought that I could spit out my window and hit the construction site.

Today I read this article in the Star: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1148246--toronto-condos-how-close-is-too-close-to-the-gardiner

Would you buy right on the expressway?

18

Toronto / General Chit-Chat

MATTHEW SLUTSKY

Senior Buzzer

2299

171

Personally, I do not think that I would buy a suite right on the expressway.
That said, these buildings are in downtown Toronto! These suites are in the heart of the city!
So, if I could not afford anything else in the city, and the units were being sold a bit cheaper because of it, then yes... in that situation I would rather buy there, then moving into the suburbs.

ROY BHANDARI

Senior Buzzer

512

60

I drive by Garrison every day and ask myself "what were they thinking". It's crazy how close it is to the Gardiner.....

ALLEN

Buzzer

192

54

I've recently lived in a new condo near the Gardiner and wouldn't consider living near it again.

From the 30th floor noise was not really a major issue with the windows closed, except for the loud trucks and motorcycles that speed through the Gardiner. I can't leave my windows open to long periods as it tends to drown out the sound from my TV or stereo.
I don't use my balcony as much as I would like, as the traffic noise is not very pleasant at times and even on the 30th floor I have to constantly clean the layer of soot and pollution that covers my outdoor furniture and balcony floor.

The neighborhoods south of the Gardiner has always been lacking in any life. There's a lacking in any decent shops and restaurants, but I am sure that would change over time.

MATTHEW SLUTSKY

Senior Buzzer

2299

171

^^But, you have pretty protected views, especially corridor views.
The soot / dust issue I find to be an issue at every condo downtown. I have seen very few buildings where the balconies do not fill up with soot very quickly.

JULIE BROAD

NewBee

7

5

I can tell you that people from Vancouver who have been to Toronto are also talking about how close this particular project is to the Gardiner and wondering who would ever live there. If nothing else the project is getting a ton of attention for that reason! I heard about this project from a friend who is in Pharma (not into real estate at all) and had recently been to Toronto and noticed this project. He commented on how you could reach out a window and pretty much high five drivers of cars passing by.
If it's an affordable downtown option there will be people who work long hours and enjoy the downtown night life who will buy it just to be close to downtown ... but if the market hits a slump the units closest to the Gardiner will be the hardest to resell and will be the quickest to drop in price.
Do you think a car could ever fly off the Gardiner and smash into one of the suites? Just curious if it's THAT close.

MATTHEW SLUTSKY

Senior Buzzer

2299

171

julie said:
... but if the market hits a slump the units closest to the Gardiner will be the hardest to resell and will be the quickest to drop in price.

I do not think that they would be the hardest to sell, especially if it is decorated well. Lots of urban homes do not have views; lets just hope they have good layouts! And, of course, lets hope they were priced well, making resale a lot easier if you can beat the $/sf in the building.

julie said:
Do you think a car could ever fly off the Gardiner and smash into one of the suites? Just curious if it's THAT close.

I doubt it. The barriers along the side of the expressway are solid. I have never heard of a car flying off the side. But, you never know.

ALLEN

Buzzer

192

54

The probability of a vehicle crashing through the guard rails is rather slim, I agree with Matthew that the barriers are incredibly strong. The Gardiner is relatively flat with no sharp turns so the chance of a car going airbourne is unlikely.
The bigger probability would be flying debris and truck wheels which we had a big problem of a little while back.

Another safety concern which occured to me would be the safety of drivers on the Gardiner.
Objects could easily fly or be thrown on to the Gardiner from an adjacent condo tower. Imagine a plastic chair falling onto the expressway or some drunk hurling a beer bottle at cars from their balcony.

There will be buyers for these units close to the expressway, as real estate prices are getting less and less affordable.

MATTHEW SLUTSKY

Senior Buzzer

2299

171

^^Funny you said that. I was was driving through the city last night along the Gardiner, I was thinking: "I wonder how many kids have thrown toilet paper bombs off their balacony onto the expressway.
Of course, this would be very dangerous to drivers.

DUMITRU

Buzzer

35

4

They may be crazy now, but I think that there might a silver lining in all of this. The thousands of new residents who will be pouring into those buildings will no doubt contribute to stronger lobbying efforts to accelerate the removal of the elevated sections of the Gardiner.
Sooner or later as well, the economics of the elevated structure aren't going to make sense any more, and the cost of maintenance and repairs will begin to outstrip its benefit. GO Transit will begin to pickup more passenger capacity, and there will be a stronger argument to be made at that point.

DUMITRU

Buzzer

35

4

@ Matt, a bigger concern than people deliberately throwing stuff onto the roadway is storm winds picking up debris from balconies and having those things land on the highway. Imagine if a light chair got swept up on that really windy day we had a few weeks back... and picked something up from a 70th floor balcony of the future ICE or Ten York.

MATTHEW SLUTSKY

Senior Buzzer

2299

171

^^in fact, that is an issue everywhere in the city. I have heard rumour near-horror stories of heavy balcony furniture flying off terraces.
I always recommend people to tie down their furniture.

MICHAEL B

Buzzer

52

6

"The developer admits that in the 1980s and 90s he never envisioned building so close to highways, but says this is the new reality of downtown living. “I actually love watching the cars go by,” Fenton said. “I think it’s very soothing.” "
Haha = wow, talk about an insulting statement...I also find the exhaust fumes very relaxing!

DAVID COHEN

NewBee

3

Do you think a car could ever fly off the Gardiner and smash into one of the suites? Just curious if it's THAT close.

I have heard from someone that a couple of times, in winter, he witnessed a vehicle fly off the Gardiner and onto the ground below. It's for sure possible!

MATTHEW SLUTSKY

Senior Buzzer

2299

171

For anyone who has not driven by the Garrison Yards site along the expressway, here is a shot from today:

MICHAEL B

Buzzer

52

6

Nice shot. This pictures pretty much tells you all you need to know.

Matthew said:
For anyone who has not driven by the Garrison Yards site along the expressway, here is a shot from today:

MATTHEW SLUTSKY

Senior Buzzer

2299

171

^^actually, in fact, it does not fully capture how close the building is to the expressway. It is actually closer than it appears in that shot. I will need to get an other shot. Too bad I can't pull over there to snap it.

ALLEN

Buzzer

192

54

A flasher or some naked activity in one of the those condos could cause an accident on the Gardiner!