Thursday 29 October 2015

Options Development: Shermount

Options first condominium development outside of the Distillery District, Shermount, was completed in 2003.  It consisted of both condominium apartments (380) and town homes (51) at Lawrence Ave. West and The Allen Road.  

Check out this Options flyer promoting Shermount from 2001:

Shermount is close to all necessary shopping amenities and withing minutes of the University subway line - only 15 minutes by subway to Toronto's city centre. In many cases the carrying costs of the suites are $100 below Toronto's average rent level.



Shermount was the first Options development after the three condos in the Distillery District and the first development built by Deltera, the construction arm of Tridel. See what owners have to say about their Options home. 


Check out the blog next week to learn more about Liberty at Discover Place.

Monday 26 October 2015

Guest Blog from Modernize.com

Minimalism is the New Black: Why Homeowners are Choosing to Minimize
By: Danielle Hegedus

Via Modernize





Choosing a more minimalist lifestyle requires a change in mindset. Throughout most of our lives, we have been taught that if we work hard, putting in long hours throughout the year, we can earn the money necessary to buy possessions that will make us happy—fancy cars, designer furniture and clothes, state-of-the-art electronics. Just the fact that you own something can also create a sense of security. Maybe you even see your possessions as a defining element of your personality and style. For instance, I’m an intellectual so I collect books on every subject under the sun or I’m a movie buff so I have an elaborate tv setup and a library of hundreds of movies.

More and more though, homeowners are beginning to realize that possessions, whether acquiring them or keeping up with them, don’t seem to bring actual joy to their lives. We know that your life is far more significant and unique than your possessions. We encourage you to build a home that reflects your own personal style, as well as your values. Read on to learn about the benefits of adopting a minimalist philosophy when it comes to your home decor.

Embracing Minimalism Makes Keeping Your Home Clean Simple

Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and wiping down kitchen counters—unfortunately you still have to do all of these things even if your decor is minimalist. The difference is that it’s a lot easier! Remove all of the kitchen appliances that you never use (for me it’s a waffle iron, salad spinner, and a juicer) or tchotchkes and you eliminate areas where dust can build up or mold can develop. Same goes for bookshelves full of CDs. Sure, they may be sentimental—you listened to that Fleetwood Mac Reunion Tour album all summer many years ago, but let’s be honest, if it’s really important to you, you probably have it on your phone or computer already.

Via Modernize




Also, as you downsize your possessions, you also remove the hassle of having to store them. No more digging through kitchen cabinets full of lovely but severely underused serving trays just to get to the kitchenware that you actually use on a daily basis. You may even be able to eliminate the need for large items of furniture like bookshelves or an armoire, making your home more spacious.

Minimalism is Budget and Eco-Friendly

When you make the choice to embrace a more minimalist lifestyle, one of the most liberating parts is letting go of your possessions. You can do this through a yard sale or by listing your items on Craigslist or eBay to make some extra money. Also consider dropping off gently used items to a local charity like Goodwill or The Salvation Army. Either way, you’ll be freeing yourself of possessions that you don’t regularly use, while giving new life to your items by passing them on to others (perhaps less fortunate than you) who can make better use of them. You’ll also prevent your possessions from ending up in a landfill.

Via Savvy Chic Boutique & Consignment

A Minimalist Mindset Frees You to Spend Money on Experiences

Try this experiment. Track your spending for one month to determine approximately how much you spend on items like clothing, books, electronics, and decorations for your home. It probably wouldn’t be a stretch to find out that you spend at least $100 on what are essentially disposable possessions—and that’s a conservative estimate. What could you do with $1,200 extra dollars a year? Could you take your family on a camping trip to Algonquin Park? Would that $1,200 pay for a plane ticket for your first trip to Europe? According to CNN, “in the long run, experiences make people happier than possessions. That's in part because the initial joy of acquiring a new object, such as a new car, fades over time as people become accustomed to seeing it every day, experts said. Experiences, on the other hand, continue to provide happiness through memories long after the event occurred.”

Via Hand Luggage Only




Minimalism Doesn’t Have to Be Boring

Don’t think of minimalism as stark. Instead, think of it as uncluttered—which can also bring good feng shui into your home! Get creative with minimalist decor. Maximize natural light instead of harsh overhead lights and you’ll not only create a bright, welcoming space, but you’ll also get a healthy dose of Vitamin D, while aligning your circadian rhythm so that you are more productive during the day and sleep easier at night. Instead of purchasing knickknacks to decorate your home, bring in plants that will remove the toxins from cleaning products, wall paint, and carpets from your indoor air. When you do decide to display something in your home, make sure that it is something that is significant to you. Perhaps a keepsake from a cherished vacation or photographs of your loved ones. When your decor is minimal, it really showcases what is important to you.

Via Modernize








Danielle Hegedus is a freelance writer based in Atlanta, GA who writes for Modernize.





Disclaimer: The views & opinions expressed in any guest blog featured on our site are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions & views of the Options Group of Companies community as a whole.

Thursday 22 October 2015

Options Development: Mill St.

Options third development in the Distillery District, Mill St., was completed in 2001.


The condo is 144 units and was incorporated into the existing brick and stone historical buildings of the Goodham and Worts Distillery District.  Together with offices and institutional/commercial space, this condo has become part of a thriving, arts-oriented community. 

Check out what residents had to say almost 15 years after moving into their Options condo.  



Check out the blog next week to learn more about Options first condo built outside of the Distillery District, Shermount. 

Tuesday 13 October 2015

World Habitat Day 2015 Was A Huge Success!

Thank you to everyone that attended our UN World Habitat Day events yesterday, Monday , October 5th.  Both the flag raising at City Hall in the morning and the Soirée event in the evening were a huge success thanks to our amazing staff, friends and partners in the housing sector.

The purpose of World Habitat Day is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.  It is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.

We are grateful to have partnered with Home Ownership Alternatives, Artscape and the City of Toronto for a flag raising yesterday morning. Councillor Bailao read a proclamation from the City and a representative from Options, HOA and Artscape spoke about World Habitat Day.  Options knows that we can't solve the housing crisis on our own.  Through partnerships with other non-profits, governments and the private sector we can move forward and help to create affordable housing for everyone in the City of Toronto.



Liz Kohn, Heather Tremain, Councillor Ana Bailao, Jens Lohmueller

In the evening Options and HOA hosted a sioree to reflect on housing equity.  The evening featured Pecha-Kucha style presentations by leading housing advocates in Toronto.

Many of Toronto's leading housing advocates and professionals gathered at the Novotel in Toronto to celebrate World Habitat Day and listen to presentations on housing equity from Shelagh McCartney, Jim Dunn, Pauline Praseuth and John van Nostrand.

Councillor Ana Bailao, the City's Affordable Housing Advocate was also on hand to introduce the theme of the evening and Options founder Mike Labbé introduced Options new CEO, Heather Tremain, via video from four African countries.  You can see Mike introducing Heather and giving a short update on Options International's latest trip to Cameroon and The Democratic Republic of Congo below:



Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate World Habitat Day and our amazing speakers that helped to generate conversation and remind us that we have the power and responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.  





For more photos from the Flag Raising and Evening Soiree check out our Facebook album here.

Thursday 8 October 2015

Options Developments: Parliament Square

Last week we featured St. Lawrence, one of three Options developments in the Distillery District.  See it here: http://optionsgroupofcompanies.blogspot.ca/2015/10/options-developments-st-lawrence.html

This week we'll take a look at Options community, Parliament Square.

Parliament Square is our only condo to offer attendant care services to owners with personal mobility restrictions. 

The three buildings in the Distillery District created the credibility that allowed Options to build strong relationships and build larger, higher density condominiums over the last 15 years.

See purchasers from Parliament Square discuss their homes in the Distillery District.



Check out the blog next week to learn more about Mill St.

Thursday 1 October 2015

Options Developments: St. Lawrence

Last week we featured Weston Village, Options first development.  See it here: http://optionsgroupofcompanies.blogspot.ca/2015/09/options-developments-weston-village.html

This week we'll take a look at Options first condominium community, St. Lawrence.

The St. Lawrence was:
- The first part of the three phase Options condominium development in the Distillery District
- 95-units
-15 minute walk from downtown
- one, two and three bedroom suites
- sold at $50,000 below other new construction condos in the same area

See purchasers from St. Lawrence discuss their homes in the Distillery District.



Check out the blog next week to learn more about Parliament Square.