Claridge Icon [505 Preston St] | 143m | 45 fl | Completed - Page 74

cr872190 · #**1461** Posted **Jan 9, 2019, 1:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by McC

Westgate hasn’t had a grocery store since Steinberg’s closed.

Unless you count the sad grocery selection in Shoppers.

J.OT13 · #**1462** Posted **Jan 9, 2019, 2:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catenary

If you're OK with taking transit to get groceries, Loblaws and Wal-Mart at South Keys are convenient. If you're driving, Westgate, or Isabella Loblaws are the closest major stores I can think of with parking.

Going all the way to South Keys for the little one could carry isn't worth it I don't think. The round trip on the train alone, including wait times, could take more or less 40 minutes. Then you have 500 to 750 meter walk (depending on Loblaws or Wal-Mart) x 2. Not super convenient. Your errand will take an hour and a half at best.

I would hope that one of the three developments in the area (Icon, Envie II or Nuovo) gets something of a grocery store or, at the very least, a Shoppers.

OTownandDown · #**1463** Posted **Jan 9, 2019, 9:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Going all the way to South Keys for the little one could carry isn't worth it I don't think. The round trip on the train alone, including wait times, could take more or less 40 minutes. Then you have 500 to 750 meter walk (depending on Loblaws or Wal-Mart) x 2. Not super convenient. Your errand will take an hour and a half at best.

I would hope that one of the three developments in the area (Icon, Envie II or Nuovo) gets something of a grocery store or, at the very least, a Shoppers.

I used to live at the end of Powell, at Bell, and would take my suitcase with me to the train to go to South Keys. PACK the suitcase with groceries, and roll them home. Super pain in the ass, but the only affordable option, unless you can shop at Italian deli's only.

hokiefans · #**1464** Posted **Jan 10, 2019, 12:16 AM**

We were at Le Nordik in Chelsea today and were able to pick out the Icon! The pictures are a little grainy as I took them with my cell phone, but I thought they may interest some of you.

In the first photo, the Icon is way over on the right hand side. In the next two, Icon is more centred; the upper floors still being open helps pick it out. According to Google Maps, the drive is 17km, so we figured we were about 12 to 14km away as the crow flies!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/486JsegDPr5pc4T8A

ServiceGuy · #**1465** Posted **Jan 10, 2019, 12:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I would hope that one of the three developments in the area (Icon, Envie II or Nuovo) gets something of a grocery store or, at the very least, a Shoppers.

I don't believe either Envie or Nuovo have retail space but Icon does (albeit small). What is really needed in this area is a corner store of some type. You have to bike to go get milk, bread, bag of chips, etc but it would be a drive or a miserable affair in the dead of winter. to walk Groceries I wouldn't have a problem driving for with Sobey's on Metcalfe with free parking (if you buy something) as another option. There are several coffee shops in the area but the only Tim Hortons is within the Booth government building requiring Gov ID to access it.

J.OT13 · #**1466** Posted **Jan 10, 2019, 2:07 PM**

La Bottega was planning on opening a second location in Nuovo, but that was quite a few years ago (2014). No word if they are still opening.

Of course, that wouldn't help for base essentials like toiletries, cleaning products and such.

cr872190 · #**1467** Posted **Jan 11, 2019, 1:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.OT13

La Bottega was planning on opening a second location in Nuovo, but that was quite a few years ago (2014). No word if they are still opening.

Of course, that wouldn't help for base essentials like toiletries, cleaning products and such.

The space La Bottega was supposed to occupy in Nuovo was turned into ground floor residential units. I don't believe there is any commercial space left.

J.OT13 · #**1468** Posted **Jan 11, 2019, 1:54 PM**

I wasn't aware of that change. Thank you.

That's too bad. Lost opportunity.

hokiefans · #**1469** Posted **Jan 11, 2019, 2:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cr872190

The space La Bottega was supposed to occupy in Nuovo was turned into ground floor residential units. I don't believe there is any commercial space left.

I had forgotten about La Bottega but hadn't heard about that change either. That is too bad. Wonder if they would be interested in space in the Icon? They would take up a couple, I expect.

McC · #**1470** Posted **Jan 11, 2019, 4:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ServiceGuy

I don't believe either Envie or Nuovo have retail space but Icon does (albeit small). What is really needed in this area is a corner store of some type.

Sherwood market and deli is what, a 5 minute walk from Preston?

dr.jallad · #**1471** Posted **Jan 15, 2019, 7:01 AM**

Hi everyone..
First of all, I would like to thank you all for the great contribution in this forum.

I am not sure if I can mention such a question here, please delete if not acceptable.
I am planning to purchase a 1 BR or 1 BR w Den condo in the Icon for investment but I am finding it difficult to decide which condo would be the best option for investment as I am not sure what is the rental market is looking for. So to limit the choices I would say that my budget is around 430K and the available condos for my budget are:

DeNiro: comes with Den and lowest cost per sq. ft (560/sq.ft 25th floor) but not lake view.

Pacino: Lake view but highest cost per sq. ft (677/sq.ft 36th floor) + no den.

Brando: Big floor area + lowest cost per sq. ft (560/sq.ft 26th floor) but not good floor plan + not lake view + no den.

Astaire: Lake view but small floor area and high cost per sq. ft (653/sq.ft 23rd floor) + no den.

Taylor: comes with den + lake view + big floor area + lowest sq.ft cost among lake view condos (623/sq.ft 28th floor) but above the budget.

Considering the above choices which condo would be the most profitable in term of lease price, easy to lease and easy to sell it in the future.
Thanks

ServiceGuy · #**1472** Posted **Jan 15, 2019, 1:31 PM**

I am no expert landlord by any stretch but will share my view point dr.jallad. I suggest going for the least expensive unit if you are simply looking at rental income. The lake views are well suited for owner occupied suites but of course come with a premium price. Add in property taxes and condo fees (which always go up) and you may not get the return you expect until you sell. Add that to the large amount of new rentals about to come on the market and it may be a tough sell. From what I have seen on site the North view is under rated. You can see the Ottawa River, Gatineau Hills, fireworks, etc plus no highrise will be built blocking the view. East view will also not change but is also rather boring except for the Canada Day fireworks. West view is one at most risk of changing. SOHO Italia will be 27 stories across the street and Richcraft has a 55 story planned for the old Dow Honda location. They are unlikely to build but can sell off the lot to another builder given it has already been approved. If I think about this as a potential tenant the view would only solidify my decision rather than make my decision. Unit and rent cost would be the main factors to me personally.

Skyway · #**1473** Posted **Jan 15, 2019, 5:32 PM**

I agree to go with low prices. Downtown condo where I live I am surprised how many foreign students rent condos near Ottawa U. Families must have deep pockets. I am wondering if Carleton U foreign students would rent. O train stop should be near.

hokiefans · #**1474** Posted **Jan 16, 2019, 7:29 PM**

If I were renting, and was choosing between two units roughly the same size in the same building, I would likely go with the less expensive one as well. This is an interesting question because all of the New Pacinos are all gone, likely as investment units, and they are one bedroom and 645 sq ft facing Dow's Lake.

harls · #**1475** Posted **Jan 17, 2019, 12:48 AM**

hokiefans · #**1476** Posted **Jan 17, 2019, 2:19 PM**

Nice pictures! Where were these taken from?

J.OT13 · #**1477** Posted **Jan 17, 2019, 2:42 PM**

The first one is from the Marriott. We can see the roofs of PdV A and Constitution Square II. Second one from the Delta? Is that right harls?

AuxTown · #**1478** Posted **Jan 17, 2019, 2:59 PM**

Wow, great shots! This one is a beast. Makes me wonder if we really need the height that Trinity is proposing or if it might look out of place. Either way, nice to see something more than 30 floors in this town.

YOWflier · #**1479** Posted **Jan 17, 2019, 3:35 PM**

Easily the best view of Icon, I think, is coming down Carling east to west (from Bronson). It's the skinny view and accentuates the height nicely.

S613 · #**1480** Posted **Jan 17, 2019, 3:54 PM**

Personally... As an investment, I would purchase the “Brando”. Then with about $20,000.00 fully furnish the unit. If you require the help/eye of a designer to make the unit stand out (as I LOVE that units layout). Then it is 100% worth the small investment (relatively speaking). Your unit will command a quality renter, whom is willing to pay a little more for the “luxe life”. I also find my vacancy rates lower then peers and damage non-existent...why leave a “great rental” unless a larger life change. Just my two cents.