Heintzman place Railside photos

What a change over from the past decade  on the Old Cantire site,

43 Comments

I know others don't feel the same way, but I like the industrial warehouse look of this building from the back. It works with the Junction neighbourhood. But, is it true these units aren't allowed to have any window openings because of the railway below? None? Not even a small opening? If so, that is very unfortunate. I could see this being a real turn-off when it comes to selling one of these condos.

aren’t allowed to have any window openings because of the railway below

yes it's true

I also like the building "junction" build type

Great name. Fantastic wall. I would love to see a great big mural of trains old and new all along it.

Yes, it's true that they've screwed the windows in on the north and east sides. But I think that if someone wanted to undo that, there's no reason why they couldn't. After everything is said and done, who's going to monitor whether or not the windows on the north side are open?

I think this has to do with NRI (National Rubber Technologies Corp.) located on 35 Cawthra Avenue always complaining about the construction of tall buildings as they have with every other building or piece of land in the area. They probably had a say on this with the City. They do not want the occupants of this building complaining or calling in the health inspectors on them and adding to the list of complaints about the smell etc…

Just a thought

The windows don't open because of the NRI plant nearby, not for the railway below.
This is stipulated in the purchase agreement.

If somebody is serious about having a mural done and you can get legal authority and are able to pay for the material costs then leave me an email address and I will contact you and put you in touch with a group of legal graf. artists.

Maybe you could act as a go-between and contact the building owners to propose this idea? Unless they have a plan fro dealing with the tagging, they might appreciate it.

NRI tries to block any tall buildings from being built in the surrounding area and have caused lots of issues for residents nearby with there odour/smell that comes from the plant. There located at the corner of Cawthra Ave. and Junction Rd.

The developer should pay for this since it will protect the value of their property, head off graffiti and other forms of more serious vandalism. It is in their best interest to do so. I belong to the Junction Historical Society and can provide photos and accurate guidance.

Eventually there will also be trees along the north side, at the podium level. This should help (hopefully) to soften the look. It's not possible to see here, of course, but at that level there is a pretty substantial structure running the length of the back of the building (what's referred to as the north terrace), that will support the planting of fairly large trees/shrubbery.

There is one thing on this building that really upsets me.
This building was developed to help low income people to buy their first home however, many owners faked documents to show they were poor and get advanage of the system. I am living in one of the units and paying $1400 rent that is more than the actual mortgage. The owner of the unit is a manager in a very big company in Toronto. Yes I am paying her mortgage.

I went to what had been billed as the first public chance to buy a unit only to discover that all the prime locations (penthouse, best exposure etc.) were all off-limits (spoken for). I found out from someone else I knew who was also there that in fact there had been an earlier sale opportunity. The fix was in. I left without trying to buy.

So public funds should not be given to buildings that don't give a public option (all for all). Shame on the local society, government and business model that allows rich people to buy and rent for poors where should not be.

A mural would be great! Us, the future owners, have been talking about having one done. Not sure the developer wants one now until the building closes (2011 sometime) but then would be up to the board to do it. I think it makes more sense than having the tags cleaned off all the time.
Its not subsidised housing – people have to qualify for mortgages with banks. However, people also have alternative mortgage that they never have to pay back unless they rent it out or sell the place. Its still a condo like every other condo – people buy early/cheaper and rent it out or sell it after making money. But given most bought to live, there is a high level of ownership versus a building of renters.

The model is based on mixed housing. I'm not sure when you went to purchase, Mr. Kennedy – but many people like myself bought 4.5 years ago – so it's no wonder that all the 'best' spots were taken. We've waited quite a long time and because of that, some people have had to sell because their situation changed and those units come up for sale – but they may not be the units that others are looking for – penthouse, etc.

As for dds, people inflate rents all the time, doesn't matter whether they're 'poor' or not. And as LuckyLuke said – we all have to qualify for a mortgage. Check out the Options for Homes website to see how their model works – they're building a new condo at Bathurst and Lawrence.
http://www.optionsforhomes.ca/

dds, the sale of units was not 'means tested', i.e., you didn't have to have a low income to purchase. Anyone could purchase, and anyone could opt into the alternative second mortgage. The restriction is that you cannot rent your place if you are a holder of the second mortgage. This arrangement means that anyone who bought with the intention of renting out their place was unable to access the benefit of the second mortgage. They paid full market price, and it seems in your case, are renting out at full market rent.

Raymond Kennedy, people who were processed for the first phase of the project but were unable to find a suitable unit were invited to attend an advance sales session for phase two. These sessions were held on one day and the order in which you were invited to attend (and hence, get a chance to select a unit) was granted strictly according to the order in which you signed up in phase one. I know as I was one of those purchasers.

In my experience, although the process has been a very lengthy one, Options has conducted its business with a great deal of integrity. I think it's a good model, one which truly provides opportunities for people with lower-moderate incomes while not limiting sales only to those groups.

I did not sign up in phase one because of the deception they pulled. I received a mailing that said I could go to the FIRST public offering. Yet, when I listened to the presentation and had the model explained it showed a large quantity of units that were already spoken for. Investors/speculators got these prime choices and the rest were for the so-called first public offering.

Thats how these buildings work… the people who are well connected to the developers get the prime choices first before the public, then the public is placated into thinking they get first crack at it at the initial "public offering".

Raymond, I can understand your frustration in terms of what you explain here. Yeah, that would frustrate me too. There were a couple of things, of a similar nature, that I haven't been so happy with either. Not to belabour the point, but I must say that the perception that investors/speculators got the prime spots is just incorrect. I got a prime spot and I have connections whatsoever. I just followed the process, and was lucky in my timing. (In other words, it worked out well for me that I signed up too late for things to work out for me in phase one, but that bumped me into first choice for phase two.)

Karin:

I have been informed by someone in the know that developers withold prime choices until the lesser choices have been sold and then when prices rise as things progress they release the better choices. Nice!

Raymond

I've heard that as well, but Options for Homes doesn't practice such dubious sales tactics. It would be self-defeating for a non-profit with the mission of making housing more affordable to focus on maximizing profit at the expense of affordability.

The Options model strongly discourages investors. 96% of units are owner-occupied, which is much* higher than most condos. An investor would need to either pay off the second mortage at closing, or share 13% of the rent collected — and after two years, would be forced to either stop renting or pay off the second mortgage (adjusted for the current market value).

It stills a not clear deal for me. You can call their offices and some people will say they have units for sale….others not.

This may help clarify things. People who paid $100.00 to register with a previous Options for Homes development but did not purchase a unit get notified before the general public of a future development – this may explain why some choice units were already sold before a 'first public meeting'. Also, there is no income cap – anyone can take advantage of Options kicking in money towards the downpayment. As was already mentioned, you just can't rent it out if you take advantage of Options contribution.

I bought in 2006 and had registered earlier. About half the units were available, including some of the 'prime' ones like the penthouse. Those were too expensive for me and I'm happy with the unit I got, except that I can't open the windows! It's so stuffy, and this is due to the National Rubber Technology factory a few blocks west. Strangely, the lower floors on the same side can open their doors and windows. Anyway, I know three other people who purchased after me and some didn't like the first phase so picked a unit closer to what they wanted in phase two. Like the interest free loan towards the down payment, which you pay back if you rent it out or move, it was quite transparent. There were/are units still available, but because of reselling.

I am considering buying a unit with southern exposure. Reading and hearing about the National Rubber Technology factory has created some concern. Any information anyone can provide in terms of experience living in the Heintzman buildings or in the neighbourhood would be greatly appreciated. How often do you smell the burning rubber (or any other unpleasant smells)? Do you find the smell is too strong that you do not keep your windows open? Also, if you live on the south side of the buildings do you feel it may be less intense with the building blocking the smell?

you find the smell is too strong that you do not keep your windows open, no once in a while it can get annoying that is once a month say, although i do not live in the buildings but in a house and had a studio near by for years.

This NRT facility has a lot of financial and environmental issues that I won't be surprised if they move or shut down shortly.

Thanks. Another question… walked by today and heard the freight train whistle blowing a few times. Does this go on at night? I'm really appreciating the info I'm reading here. Thank you everyone for posting.

You lose the ability to hear the train noises quickly my wife did, although i have lived in the Junction all my life so probably have a built in hearing barrier, most people claim to lose any top of mind or attention hearing from their noise quickly

To all those purchasers at the now Heintzman Place condos. You have chosen wisely when you bought here. I have had the privilege of working on this building and knowing the ins and out of the construction and the thought that has gone into these structures. Reading these comments I want to clarify some of them.
The NRT company across the tracks forced the developer to screw the windows on the north and east side shut b/c they did not want to deal with the home owners in the future. (redated) (blog note, two companies worked with the developer to find a solution to the positional problem of new condos near industrial businesses)
As for the railside three story wall and Keele street brick, it has an anti graffiti coating to help wash off the graffiti. If you erase graffiti within a 48 hour time frame eventually the graffiti artist give up.
The Options model does not allow suites to be reserve in advance. Everyone that signs up with Options gets a chance at a suite depending on when you sign up. You have to remember it is a first come first serve basis and there are large crowds at these seminars. Also if you sign up for one condo and do not select from it, the next Option condo you get notified early in the process, that is why some suites are taking prior to opening up to the public. Options for Homes is a great company and should be praised for this model. The builder Deltera is the BEST in Canada if not North America, so you can not go wrong, they put alot of thought and design into there buildings.

NRT will monitor. A resident on the north side did have windows open and there was an almost immediate phone call and threat of legal action.

I think Raymond's 'somebody in the know' was not speaking of Options specifically-I've read about those tactics before. I know three other people who purchased here and we all had the same experience of signing up with Options for $100 and then going to meetings and deciding from there. Has been very open and despite the whining on FB, most people I speak with are very happy. I would not have been able to afford the space I am in now-have income but not much of a down payment.
As to the trains-YES! They can be very noisy, especially if you are at the east side and can see all three tracks. When we first lived here the sound and the bright light from one track would wake me up. A month later, not so much. Can see foxes and coyotes around the tracks too.

I am considering buying a unit on the south side. A little concerned about the National Rubber Technology plant. Does anyone know if the smell coming from the plant is really bad? The building/area looks AWESOME… just need to get more info on this rubber plant…

I have lived in a south-facing unit for over a year and have probably smelled the rubber factory twice. I keep my windows open a lot. So no, that's definitely not an issue. I also don't really hear the trains from inside my unit – just the occassional freight whistle.

That's great news. Thanks! Have you noticed a large turnover of home owners since you've lived there? There seems to be quite a few condos for sale in the building. Maybe that’s normal, but wanted to make sure people aren’t moving out for some reason.

I was at the very first meeting — it was offered to residents in the immediate vicinity of the building site. Many units were purchased that day. I believe options often opens up their buildings to the immediate neighbourhood first! The people at that meeting all seemed to be purchasing for themselves to have a home and not to rent.

Ther are something like 640 condos in the complex so it doesn't surprise me that there's a fair amount of real estate activity. I certainly can't think of any reason why people would move out, except possibly that some people bought their condos years ago (I bought in January 2007) and now have families and need bigger places. I find it a very nice place and very well-managed.

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