375 King Street W

When walking along King Street West, it’s difficult for pedestrians not to notice the single strip of red that wraps its way around a corner of an otherwise glass tower. What they likely don’t know is that this building is known as M5V, and its developers at TAS Designbuild refer to the edifice as “The Jewel of King West.” With that piece of information in mind, passersby might begin to think of this colourful detail as ‘ruby,’ rather than any ordinary shade of red.

Completed in 2011, the tower at 375 King Street West reaches to 24 storeys tall, and is home to 305 residential suites. TAS Designbuild worked together with Lifetime Developments, CORE Architects and Teeple Architects in order to develop the property, and the result is a glass-clad high-rise with commandeering columns surrounding the front entrance.

Setting the mood for residents as they arrive home each day is a castle-like gate just outside the front entrance of M5V. While this detail could be construed as gaudy, the designers behind 375 King West have every right to show off: the architecture, the suites, and the community all received awards from the Greater Toronto Home Builders’ Association in 2007. Speaking of accomplishments, M5V also achieved LEED Gold Status for its low consumption of water and energy, as well as its low emission of toxins.

Residents concerned with climate change can feel reassured while still enjoying the array of amenities found throughout M5V. The building is equipped with a gym with a yoga studio and steam rooms, a terrace with barbecues and a picnic area, and a party room with a bar, kitchen, and dining area. There’s also a meeting room on site, as well as a games room, a concierge, and plenty of visitor parking.

While none of the King West condos for sale at 375 King Street West are technically palatial, the largest of suites reaches to a sizeable 1,700 square feet, and features two bedrooms plus a den. Prospective buyers with lower budgets and less need for such a large living space, on the other hand, might take interest in the one-bedroom units that begin at around 400 square feet. This building is also a great choice for those seeking Toronto condos for rent, as units here tend to appear on the market from time to time.

Thanks to TAS, the interior design is contemporary and fresh regardless of a unit’s size. Engineered hardwood floors and exposed concrete ceilings are common throughout the building, while some homes feature rounded concrete columns and floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows.

Not only are the kitchens at M5V stylish, they’re also efficient thanks to eco-friendly, Energy Star appliances. Complementing these industrial pieces are natural materials such as granite, quartz, or onyx countertops, and elegant cabinetry by Scavolini. Additionally, bathrooms boast dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets.

Open concept layouts and 9- to 11-foot ceilings ensure that residents living at M5V never feel claustrophobic, plus some suites even extend outside onto 6-foot deep terraces.

Living in the heart of the King West neighbourhood certainly has its perks: residents are within walking distance of some of the city’s most exciting businesses, venues, and public spaces. Just down the street from 375 King Street West, for example, is the TIFF Bell Lightbox, where movie fans can catch international and independent films year round — not to mention those premiering at it’s namesake festival each Fall.

For an even classier night on the town, residents can walk over to Roy Thompson Hall, home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Other options include watching comedy shows at the Second City’s Toronto outpost, or taking in a play at the Princess of Wales or Royal Alexandra Theatre.

Outdoorsy residents can also get some fresh air at a number of green spaces that surround the building. Those with pets might frequent Clarence Square Park — specifically its off-leash dog area — while those looking to play some sports can split their time between the much larger Coronation and Trinity Bellwoods Parks.

No matter how one prefers to get around, there’s no doubt that M5V is a great starting point for commuting around the city. Living directly on King West means a streetcar stop is always just steps away.

Passengers heading east on the King streetcar can also transfer onto the subway at both St. Andrew and King Stations in order to ride north and south to their destinations. With Spadina Avenue just a block to the west, residents of M5V can also hop onto a streetcar that will carry them south to Lake Ontario or north to Spadina Station, on the Bloor-Danforth line.

Drivers can use King and Spadina to travel around downtown Toronto, although those heading out on longer journeys will want to transfer onto a highway as soon as possible. Thankfully, residents of M5V can use Spadina to merge onto the Gardiner Expressway, which offers connections onto the 427 and the Don Valley Parkway, to the west and east respectively.