955 Bay Street & 31 Phipps St, Toronto

London may be a multifaceted city, but the side of the UK capital that has served as inspiration for the Britt Residences in Toronto is quite obvious. The decadence of Chelsea or Notting Hill, with a hint of Buckingham Palace, were certainly in mind for the developers behind these lavish homes at 955 Bay Street in the Bay Street Corridor.

Completed in 2017, these condominiums are located atop the legendary Sutton Place Hotel. During its operation from 1976 to 2012, noteworthy guests of the hotel have included Pierre Trudeau, Stevie Nicks, and Elizabeth Taylor. Future residents will never fail to remember their predecessors, thanks to the photographs that hang in the lobby-lounge.

Speaking of lobby-lounge, now seems like a better time than ever to run through the remarkable list of amenities and common areas at this condominium. Once inside the iridescent blue glass tower, residents will find themselves inside an opulent, black-and-white lobby spanning two storeys. The piece de resistance here is a split grand staircase leading between the two floors in either direction: left to the lounge and boardroom, right to yet another lounge.

As for the amenities at 955 Bay St, they feel as if they are straight out of the Savoy in London. Naturally the building boasts a 24-hour concierge, parking, a terrace with barbecues, a gym, and a boardroom and business centre. But on top of all of this, those lucky enough to live here also have access to an outdoor pool on the 9th floor, a theatre room, a garden, and two spas — one for residents and one for their furry friends.

The building's official website claims the residences will take control of the intersection of Bay and Wellesley, and they might just be right. The podium is prominent and powerful, with the sleek tower hovering elegantly above. Page + Steele and IBI Group are the architects behind this property, while NAK Design was in charge of the landscape architecture, and the interiors were left to the discretion of Munge Leung.

If you haven’t already noticed, the Britt Residences has been designed — and marketed — to those who covet status and class. While the architecture and common elements reflect this fact, the individual homes themselves are no different. Spread out over 41 storeys, the 729 downtown Toronto condos range from approximately 400 to 1,200 square feet and contain one, two, or three bedrooms each.

All of the units feel fresh and airy, thanks to their open concept layouts and bright colour palettes. Granite countertops add yet another hint of opulence, along with hardwood, porcelain, and ceramic floors. And whoever says luxury and eco-friendliness don’t go together is just plain wrong, as the Toronto condos for sale at 955 Bay are equipped with energy efficient lights, faucets, and appliances.

Private outdoor spaces are also abundant: some homes feature large balconies, while others are outfitted with massive terraces. And while views are lovely in all directions, residents in south facing units are in for a real treat.

While developers of the Britt Residences foresee this very building being a cornerstone of the neighbourhood, there are in fact other factors that attract people to the area.

Bay Street is infamous for the high-powered office workers that commute here early each morning (sometimes even at the break of dawn), however those who live in the area will quickly see that the neighbourhood is filled with much more than just office towers.

Between bustling Yonge Street to the east and the lively Church Street Corridor just beyond that, the more serene University of Toronto Campus to the east, and posh Yorkville to the north, residents here can spend their spare time in a variety of ways without having to stray too far.

Those living at 955 Bay have their choice when it comes to groceries as well: the extensive Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens is a treat for pretty much all of the senses; Pusateri’s is the go-to spot for picking up food that’s sure to impress party guests; weekly stops at Whole Foods will become habitual for health-conscious residents of the Britt.

Thanks to its location near to Yonge Street, hopping on the subway and riding around the city is a breeze. Wellesley station is a mere 400 metres away, while those who want to head straight to the University-Spadina line can walk to Queens Park station in only 10 minutes. The Bloor-Danforth line is also within close reach, with a walk to Bay Station measuring in at around 9 minutes on foot.

Heading out by car is also straightforward, especially thanks to the ability to connect with the Don Valley Parkway via Bloor Street East. From here, drivers can connect with the 401 to the north or the Gardiner Expressway to the south in no time.