Developers are seeking approval for two 50-storey towers in the same block where Surrey city council recently gave the greenlight for what will be its tallest building at 67 storeys.
Real eState
What Summer Slowdown? Manhattan Real Estate Expected To Stay Hot As Weekly New Listings Dip – Forbes

New York City homebuyers expecting to find less competition this summer may be in for a shock. The Manhattan summer buying season is shaping up to be one of the most active in recent memory, according to a new report from real estate data provider UrbanDigs.
Traditionally, the summer months bring warm weather and a general slowdown to Manhattan’s real estate market; however, a combination of low inventory and high competition has resulted in an increase of contracts signed weekly compared with the past several years.
A decline in the number of weekly new listings in Manhattan is expected to continue through the … [+]
UrbanDigs
UrbanDigs co-founder John Walkup sums up the market activity, which began heating up in Q4 2020 before reaching a peak towards the end of spring. “The number of contracts signed on a weekly basis is far outpacing what we’d expect during a typical year — and it’s a trend that stretches back to at least the beginning of April. With that, this summer may see less of a slowdown and more of a continuation of the record-breaking Manhattan market.”
After seeing a spike in contracts signed from April through May, the weekly average held steady at about 300 or more signed through June—the highest activity level seen in the past five years. During the first week of July 2021, there were about 275 contracts signed, which eclipsed the previous five-year high of about 180 contracts signed in 2017.
Despite a decline in weekly new listings, the number of weekly active contracts signed have … [+]
UrbanDigs
For new active listings, the numbers tell a different story. During the first week of July, there were a little over 200 new listings, or about 50% less than there were during the same period in 2020, UrbanDigs data shows. The year-over-year decline in new listings coming to market is expected to continue through summer.
Compared to other major markets in the U.S., Walkup says Manhattan’s market was slow to recover but saw “a breakneck pace for deal activity starting mid-Winter.” “Like other metro markets, though, the peak level of activity was record-breaking,” he adds.
Located in Carnegie Hill, this light-filled two-bedroom at 1088 Park Avenue is listed for $2.65 … [+]
Warburg Realty
Despite increased activity and less inventory, prime properties at various price points are entering the market daily. In the Carnegie Hill neighborhood, this classic six-room apartment in one of Park Avenue’s premier buildings is listed for $2.65 million. The two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom residence featured a light-filled living room with a wood-burning fireplace, a grand dining room and a windowed kitchen with ample cabinet space. A south-facing window with a view down Park Avenue is another perk.
In the $2.8-million range is this three-bedroom Lenox Hill apartment at 156 East 79th Street.
Warburg Realty
At about $2.8 million, residential options include this Lenox Hill apartment in a classic Schwartz & Gross-designed building. Reconfigured to feature an extra bedroom or family room, the seven-room (formerly eight-room) residence features a flexible layout, 10-foot-high ceilings, beautiful hardwood floors and a glass-enclosed den/library that sits off the living room.
A long entrance gallery, 9-foot-high-ceilings and hardwood floors highlight this Carnegie Hill … [+]
Warburg Realty
Priced at $3.2 million, this Park Avenue residence in Carnegie Hill pairs well-proportioned rooms (including a 31-foot-long entrance gallery) with 9-foot-plus-high ceilings, hardwood floors, and oversized windows. The 2,300-square-foot floor plan also comes with ample closet space and a storage bin within the pet-friendly building.
Once owned by artist Leroy Neiman, this Lincoln Square duplex with original details and a modern … [+]
Warburg Realty
In Lincoln Square’s legendary Hotel des Artistes, a south-facing duplex once owned by pop artist Leroy Neiman is for sale at $4.25 million. Meticulously restored and enhanced, the prewar residence combines original details such as a plaster ceiling and a stained glass entry window with a modern chef’s kitchen and two generous bedrooms. In the main living area, which stretches some 30 feet long, picture windows take in a side view of Central Park.
Located within the exclusive Kiska building at 353 Central Park West, this full-floor condominium … [+]
Warburg Realty
Prices creep even higher on the Upper West Side, where this full-floor condominium inside the boutique Kiska building is listed for about $8 million. A key-locked elevator is used to access the four-bedroom, three-bathroom residence, which features an enhanced kitchen, an open dining area and sweeping skyline and Central Park treetop views.
Real eState
More tall towers being proposed, approved and completed in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey and Coquitlam
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There are 20 development projects with towers over 45 storeys that are selling condo units, under construction or near completion.


He added that with increased land and construction costs, developers are motivated to use all the density they can get and build taller towers. However, there is also a point where it stops making sense to push higher “because things like the cost of structural systems increase as you go higher.”
Across Metro Vancouver, there are more than 20 towers over 45 storeys that have been approved by municipal governments, according to data from Zonda Urban market analyst Justin Lee. More than half of these are in Burnaby. Five are in Coquitlam and Port Moody, while Downtown Vancouver, New Westminster and Surrey have one each.
After these, there are 40 more tall-tower projects that have been publicly presented to city councils and are in some stage of seeking approval. Most are in Burnaby and Surrey, followed by Downtown Vancouver and Coquitlam.
“We’ll see if economic conditions allow for them to be built,” said Dikeakos, whose firm is working on the new tall tower approved in Surrey and other projects.
In late 2019, Pinnacle International Development made a proposal for a site near the Lougheed SkyTrain Station. It had three towers including one that would be 80 storeys and 250 metres tall. They would be the tallest buildings in Western Canada. Some more details were presented to Burnaby city council in May 2022 for towers of 80, 76 and 73 storeys, but the project has not progressed further with the city.
Metro King by Anthem Properties is a proposal for a 66-storey tower between Kingsway and Hazel streets across from Metrotown that is nearing a final decision by the City of Burnaby.
This pipeline of potential projects is happening as cities have focused on adding density to sites near transit stations and town centres, according to Dikeakos.
“The taller buildings in these types of developments that you are going to be seeing tend to be real, mixed-use ones, meaning they have a commercial base with significant office or hotel use where the first 15 to 20 storeys are commercial even before you get to the residential portion,” he said.
“One of the interesting changes that we’re seeing is that because these developments are being done near transit sites, cities are requiring less parking,” said Dikeakos. “If we had to do the same amount of parking required a few years ago, the depth of these excavations would make them completely unfeasible. (When) we’re not required to do as much parking, it allows us to do these taller towers and still make some financial sense.”
Even though developers are motivated to deal with increasing land and construction costs by building higher, there is a turning point. It will obviously be different for each project, but Dikeakos said that for the Station Square project, it was somewhere at the 52- to 55-storey height.





Real eState
Historic Muskoka Resort Hits the Market for $12M
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An iconic Muskoka resort has just hit cottage country’s real estate market.
For those looking for a new business venture in the summertime hot spot, Windermere House has just been listed for $12M.




The sprawling, long-time landmark sits on Lake Rosseau — one of the “Big Three” Muskoka lakes — and is known for its quintessential Old Muskoka charm mixed with modern luxury and amenities. Beloved by both tourists and local cottagers, the picturesque resort has been synonymous with Muskoka tourism since 1870.




Known as ‘The Lady of The Lake,’ this 56-room resort hotel sits in a prime location in the Village of Windermere, overlooking the stunning lake. Offering a dose of timeless charm, its historic features include original stone architecture, a charming veranda, and classic Muskoka-style windows. The hotel features several food and beverage outlets, full-service spa capabilities, and a 3,200 sq. ft. of function space that ranges from a private boardroom to state-of-the-art conference facilities.




With quintessential cottage country recreation front and centre, the 6.62-acre resort features a heated outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, sand beach, marina, and golf course.




The new owner of the property will have the opportunity to take up residence in Windermere Cottage, the traditional four-bedroom private cottage with a separate entrance from Fife Avenue that can also be rented as an additional resort property. Or, as the listing highlights, there’s also the option to personalize a penthouse “cottage” suite within the hotel.




The Muskoka chair-filled property includes three detached staff houses, an older, staggered row-style 10-plex, and ample on-site parking.
While its price tag isn’t within reach of everyone, considering that most of the sprawling cottages on the lake sell for upwards of $5M — coupled with its inevitable income-generating potential — the property may be considered a steal for someone in the market for a breezy new business venture.
Find the full listing here.
Written By
Erin Nicole Davis
Erin Nicole Davis is a born and raised Toronto writer with a passion for the city and its urban affairs and culture.





Real eState
Toronto building home to historic pub to be converted into new hotel
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Toronto is getting a new hotel by expanding an old hotel that has spent decades not being a hotel. I know, very confusing, but I can totally explain.
A four-storey building that has stood at the southwest corner of Church Street and Richmond Street East for over 140 years could soon undergo a significant transformation.
The building at 124 Church Street was originally constructed as a hotel in the 1880s, and after 14 decades, a developer has filed plans to bring the property back to its roots with a renovation and expansion supporting a new boutique hotel.
M&G Hotels Limited has big plans for the property, filing a minor variance application that calls for a YY Architecture Studio-designed addition extending the building’s roofline and providing additional space for hotel and other hospitality uses.
This address has been home to McVeigh’s Irish Pub since 1962, and despite major changes on the horizon for the property, it looks like the bar will maintain its presence in the building, and be left practically undisturbed through the renovations.
Plans for the site show little modifications in store for the first two levels of the existing building, aside from a new elevator shaft and other small changes.
The current space occupied by McVeigh’s is listed simply as “existing bar” and “existing kitchen” in plans, a good indication that the establishment will maintain its long-term presence at the intersection.
New floors would be added above the current parapet, bringing the existing four-storey building to an increased height of six levels.
A total of 24 hotel suites are planned on levels three through six, topped by a new rooftop bar and terrace.
The rejuvenated hospitality property will reportedly operate under the branding Clover Hotel, and this will not be the first time that the site or even the current building has been home to a hotel.
Diagram of the proposal showing additional floors and rooftop bar space. Image via City of Toronto development application.
The southwest corner of Church and Richmond has been home to bars and hotels since the mid-19th century, and the current 1882-built structure was originally constructed as a hotel, replacing an earlier timber hotel building dating back to the 1850s.
Opened as the Windsor Hotel and later renamed the New Windsor Hotel in the early 20th century, the building was maintained as a hotel into the 1960s.
Plans to expand the building and open a hotel are just some of the big changes happening to the property.
The existing building at 124 Church Street stands as the lone holdout against a huge condo development now under construction that will soon tower over the property’s south and west elevations.





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