A Scarborough condo with a national park down the block

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Unlike many multi-phase condominium projects in the GTA, the sales launches for Narrative’s east and west buildings are being separated by weeks, not years.

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Half of the Scarborough mid-rise community’s 422 units went on sale April 7, with the second set following close behind. “We’re really grateful that the market is so supportive of this project,” says Adam Taverna, founder and president of developer Crown Communities, adding that the two 11-storey buildings “are uniquely close to a national park.”

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While not as famous, majestic or expansive as Banff or Gros Morne, Rouge National Urban Park is on track to become the largest urban protected area in North America. Stretching from Lake Ontario in the south to the Oak Ridges Moraine in the north, the 75-square-kilometre preserve spans meadows, forests, wetlands, farmland and sandy beaches, and is home to 15 marked hiking trails, one of which starts about 800 metres from the fireplace-equipped and concierge-staffed lobby of Narrative’s east building.

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“This site combines urban accessibility and convenience with access to green space that no downtown condo can match,” Taverna says, pointing to a 2020 survey by Remax Realty that found 48 percent of respondents want to live closer to green spaces without forgoing local conveniences such as hospitals, schools and shopping.

While the site’s address is urban — 7437 Kingston Rd. sits between a busy city thoroughfare and Highway 401 — a 14-metre setback from the highway along with an elevated and forested setting make the busy roads “an afterthought,” Taverna says.

High above the tarmac, the balconies and terraces fronting the one-, two- and three-bedroom suites offer prime views of nearby parkland and Lake Ontario. Fashioned by Kirkor Architects and Toronto’s Pulsinelli interior design firm, Narrative’s suites top out at more than 1,100 square feet and embrace the City of Toronto’s Growing Up Urban Design Guidelines, which focus on developing vertical communities that better accommodate the needs of all households, including those with children.

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To that end, the project’s 18,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity space includes a kids’ play studio in the west building, which opens onto a playground in a new half-acre park. Each building is home to its own co-working area, yoga studio, party room with dining and lounge areas, and games room. “If you want to come downstairs and work out, you don’t have to walk over to the next building,” Taverna says. “We want to encourage wellness in our communities, so we felt this was a necessity, and we had the space to do it.”

Units have smooth-finish ceilings and wide-plank flooring. Kitchens will come with a five-piece stainless-steel appliance package, contemporary custom cabinetry, mosaic backsplashes and stainless-steel undermount sinks. Bathrooms, meanwhile, offer stylish soaker tubs and vanities topped with quartz.

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“I live in a condominium myself, so I know how important it is to have a great living space, especially when you’re living with other people,” Taverna says. “That’s why our floor plans focus on efficiency and smart design.”

 Prices range from the high $300,000s to the low $1,000,000s. For more information, visit https://narrativecondos.com.  

Three things

A short walk east of Narrative, the scenic Mast Trail is being extended to Rouge Beach as part of a Parks Canada improvement project. pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/rouge

Wildlife-watchers seeking something more exotic than Rouge Park’s native species can head to the nearby Toronto Zoo to try and catch a glimpse of the infant Sumatran orangutan born on April 11. 361A Old Finch Ave., torontozoo.com

The Scarborough Town Centre, Canada’s fourth-largest shopping mall, recently opened an outdoor skating rink for complimentary public use throughout the winter. Special events in late 2021 and early 2022 included DJ Skate Nights and Character Skate Days featuring children’s entertainment characters. 300 Borough Dr., scarboroughtowncentre.com