Let’s play a little game. Imagine you have a $15 million real estate budget. You can buy any house, anywhere. What matters to you? What a $15 million house looks like varies—both in terms of square-footage and amenities—depending on the home’s location around the world. Most everyone knows that real estate in New York City or Monaco, for example, is more expensive in terms of square footage than, say, in Houston or Atlanta. Would you prefer to spend the $15 million on roughly 2,418 square feet of space in the hustle and bustle of New York City? Or would you splurge on 11,248 square feet (not to mention the 1.71 acres of land) in quieter Houston?

There’s a subtle shift under way in the Greater Toronto Area’s presale condominium market in 2018: As developers are launching fewer towering projects designed to woo investors, they are finding there’s still a strong market for people looking to pay a little more money for a larger, family-friendly unit in neighbourhoods outside the downtown core.

With 50 Scollard, the developer set out to build something for the ages.

At this point in the architecture history of downtown Toronto, with each new building aspiring to outshine what came before, it’s not easy to build something iconic.

But when Lanterra Developments, the company behind much-praised projects like Ice Condominiums at York Centre, The Brit Residences at Bay and Wellesley and One Bedford, acquired 50 Scollard Street, they knew they had all the ingredients to make something special. The prime Yorkville location, at the corner of Bay and Scollard across from the Peter Clewes-designed Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Toronto, certainly demanded excellence and elegance.

When it comes to refreshing bedrooms this fall, the latest hues for walls and décor are sunny, moody, and saturated. Pantone’s Color of the Year—Ultra Violet—has been influencing bedroom tones from plummy purple to aubergine, while marigold yellow is bringing whimsy and cheer to even the most traditional of spaces.

Take your cues from these three mood boards when starting down the path of your next bedroom overhaul, and let the trending colors of fall 2018 infuse your home.

Meet three Canadian architectural firms who are using their talents to make an impact on society. In this age of mounting social and political activism, architects are making a powerful statement in their own right. They’re tackling issues close to their hearts, from helping the homeless to supporting the cause for sustainable food and building better cities through design. We’ve rounded up three leading Canadian architectural firms who are boldly breaking new ground — with a conscience.

In the most exclusive oasis with pink sand shores, impeccable service, and unmatched style of St. Regis, The Residences offer character and comfort that discerning owners desire. Enjoy unique access to amenities and the dedicated expertise that only the St. Regis can offer.

Toronto architect Brian Brisbin wanted to look behind the curtain on one of the world’s buzziest buildings, Milan’s Bosco Verticale, two towers that are widely acknowledged as the world’s first vertical forest — green buildings designed specifically to counteract the smog and heat of a city.

Which do you prefer, privacy or intimacy? The quiet stillness of an open-air balcony with views, or the rush of the city streets? Proximity to the very best dining, shopping, and culture a city has to offer, or plenty of space? With Canada’s top luxury condos, you don’t have to choose. Suspended above the hustle and bustle of the everyday, these five stunning homes offer a respite from—and access to—every convenience of urban living.

Over the years, home staging has graduated from necessary afterthought to elevated art form. Investing the effort to redesign and rearrange rooms in your home can reduce the amount of time a property is on the market. While the fundamentals of home staging are widely known and practiced—cleaning, decluttering, and making repairs, for instance—experts in the luxury real estate market employ a number of tricks that go beyond the basics. In order to conduct a stellar home staging, take into consideration these five expert tips for making your home the most attractive on the market.

The surrounding city lights, fine dining on your doorstep, and a short commute to the financial district—condominium living is chock-full of conveniences. But when it comes time to refresh your space or put it on the market, it can be a challenge to know where to focus your efforts. For those looking for a return on investment, these condo upgrades are worth the effort.

While secluded private islands certainly have their merits, you don’t have to venture to a far-flung locale to enjoy the privacy and relaxation island life affords. Even in urban centers, the splash of island light, the waving branches of island trees, and the slower pace of island life can be achieved. These airy lofts offer islands of luxury of their very own.

Fasten your seat belts for the Pierre Bergé sale this October. Described as “a passionate and voracious collector” by Madison Cox – Bergé’s widower – the businessman was as legendary for his taste as he was for his sharp tongue, fierce feuds and quick wit. The sale will consist of 800 lots taken from what Cox terms “rue Bonaparte and other homes that made up Pierre’s private universe”. Featuring exceptional pieces by Jean-Michel Frank, Francois-Xavier Lalanne and Pablo Picasso, as well as paintings by Bernard Buffet, Jean-Baptiste Debret and Jean-Jules-Antoine Lecomte de Nouÿ, it promises to be as eclectic and exciting as the man himself. Short, powerful and pugnacious, the Savile Row-clad Frenchman was ever aware of his reputation, claiming, “people may hate or love me, but they all want to brag that they once sat next to me.”

Every day, all kinds of different properties are bought and sold in cities across Canada, from humble homes to mighty mansions. Although prices vary wildly, the average price in each area gives us a sense of where to find Canada’s most expensive real estate. Here’s a look at the Canadian cities where homes cost the most.

Larry Page’s ‘city of the future’ on Toronto’s waterfront may end up having one foot rooted firmly in the past.

Sidewalk Labs LLC, the urban innovation unit of Alphabet Inc., is considering constructing buildings in the 4.9-hectare (12-acre) high-tech community entirely with tall-timber technology -- engineered wood products that proponents say are as strong and fire-resistant as those made from steel or concrete. 

Ah, condo patios—that beautiful little slice of outdoors in the sky, the oasis built into your urban home. An oasis that can quickly become overrun with pots of neglected plants, mismatched garden furniture, and bikes waiting to be stored.

Opting for vertical living has long involved tradeoffs: services versus square footage, turnkey versus autonomy, convenience versus community. But with highly equipped, low-density condominium towers, buyers no longer have to compromise: Distinctive architecture, oversize residences and ultra-luxe services are turning high-rise structures into high-networth communities, with amenities fostering social interaction and a sense of place among affluent neighbors.

The V12-powered Italian thoroughbred certainly makes for a unique interior accent piece.

What’s the one thing more opulent than tearing around town in your $1.5 million, 750-horsepower Italian race car? Mounting the fire-breathing beast sideways as a room divider in your luxury residence. This is exactly what the owner of a rare Pagani Zonda R supercar—reportedly one of just 15 manufactured—did inside their $8 million oceanfront Miami condo.

When a client tapped Homepolish designer Jae Joo to fix up his condo in the Lower East Side, he asked for a bathroom renovation and a light kitchen refresh—nothing more. 

But you know how those things go.

The bathroom may be one of the most overlooked rooms in the house, yet it is one of the most important. It’s where the day starts and ends. It’s where we go to relax, whether through soaking in a deep tub or indulging in a steam shower. It’s where we get ready to face the world, seated at a vanity or standing at the counter. Dial up the comfort and utility in your day with any of these bathroom renovations that best suit your style:

Opting for vertical living has long involved tradeoffs: services versus square footage, turnkey versus autonomy, convenience versus community. But with highly equipped, low-density condominium towers, buyers no longer have to compromise: Distinctive architecture, oversize residences and ultra-luxe services are turning high-rise structures into high-networth communities, with amenities fostering social interaction and a sense of place among affluent neighbours.