Condo Store

Our office was approached by a developer client who sought to set themselves apart with cohesive and innovative branding from the ubiquitous condo construction and marketing in Toronto. They looked to the design team to pilot a new sale centre typology to showcase a rotating portfolio of current and future projects, where each development has the ability to customize their own space with its own unique characteristics.

The solution was the Condo Store. Conceived as a department store for condo sales with a focus on the customer experience, the centre consists of shared elements of sophisticated curvilinear forms and bronze trims running from the street-facing facade, wrapping through the shared spaces, and trimming each of the two Presentation Area for different developments.

Each of the two Presentation Areas for unique developments is gently veiled by intricate bronze screens to create a sense of enclosure while simultaneously providing permeability. They are headed by multi-tiered signage bands in the ceiling and echoed by a bronze floor trim flowing seamlessly from the shared spaces. Within this framework, each development is completely customizable with its own storefront, signage, facade display window, and branding.

The design marks a departure from the standard sales centres across Toronto, not only programmatically but also formally and materially. The design itself is an exploration of non linear construction, dynamic forms, and the tension between symmetry and asymmetry. Sweeping curved walls headed by fluted wood ‘wave’ ceiling, layers of flowing and slanted recessed ceiling coves, and bronze signage are detailed to accentuate the organic forms. The sculptural walls fold up into Calacatta gold marble countertops trimmed with natural bronze and transform into soft seating so that form and function flow as one. Fluid bronze signage bands and custom chandeliers echo the language permeating the design.

The project occupies a prominent location in the city at Yonge and Eglinton on one-half of the building podium. The client plans to expand the design through to the main entrance and to the other half of the building to produce a well-balanced ground floor facade.