High-end & Contemporary

Beaverhall Homes has been building homes of exceptional quality for more than 30 years throughout the Greater Toronto Area. The company specializes in building residential homes, from single-family to high-rise condominiums. Beaverhall’s president, Ami Tamam, is a hands-on general contractor who is on-site throughout the construction of his projects. Recognized in the industry for the “curb appeal” of its communities, the company also aspires to create interior spaces in its homes that are contemporary, functional, and in sync with the busy lifestyles of today. Beaverhall employs 12 people, and its offices are located in Richmond Hill, Ontario. All three projects featured here are a joint partnership with Graywood Developments.

Located on the waterfront of Lake Ontario, the Ocean Club development offers what Beaverhall’s project manager, Elisa Pennino, describes as “resort-style living in a cosmopolitan setting.”

Comprising two buildings—a 37-storey high-rise and, behind it, an 8-storey boutique low-rise that offers the same units at a more affordable price—the design for both structures is modern, with plenty of glass to take advantage of the waterfront views.

“We opened last fall, and we’re now 85 percent sold out,” Pennino says. “And we’re attracting all age ranges, from people in their 20s to retirees.”

The reason the development is selling so well, Pennino believes, is due to a combination of location, price, and the quality of the finishes.

Suites feature fully integrated, custom-designed kitchens by Tomas Pearce. Features also include nine-foot ceilings, wide-plank engineered hardwood flooring, floor-to-ceiling Low-E windows, and a balcony or terrace.

Other highlights include an indoor saltwater pool, an outdoor deck with a hot tub, a retail-facility restaurant, and no less than two pet-grooming stores. Prices for the 460 units range from $259,900 to more than $1 million.

The Mercer is a luxury high-rise located in the heart of the business and entertainment districts of Toronto. Architect Brian Brisbin believes that the design genius of the Mercer lies in its ability to capture the mood of its century-old environs on Mercer Street while remaining contemporary, culminating in what one of Brisbin’s partners termed “romantic modern.”

According to Brisbin, the Mercer achieves this effect through a series of design expressions—blending layers of brick, stone, and glass. It’s an approach intended to make the Mercer stand out from the glass buildings found nearby.

“Quite simply, this building tells a story—the story of Mercer Street,” Brisbin says. “It’s a contemporary design, but it describes the character and life of this unique street, both in its use of materials, like stone and brick, and in a series of design moves, both at grade and on the skyline.”

Inside, the units have been decked out in high-end fashion, with marble, granite, and hardwood throughout. The living spaces combine the latest ideas on how to make the transitions between the living, dining, and kitchen areas seamless and aesthetically pleasing. The building is also equipped with amenities including a roof terrace and party room. Units are selling from $500,000 to $1 million.

Regency Estates, Beaverhall Homes’ community of 34 homes, is located in the high-end residential Woodbridge neighbourhood of Vaughan. Designed by Stephen Hunt of Hunt Design Associates, the stucco, stone, and brick homes are characterized by arches, pitched rooflines, decorative metalwork, and masonry accents. Prices start at about $1.3 million.

Intended to attract local, high-income families, the custom-designed homes offer premium oak staircases; crown and ceiling mouldings; fireplaces with cast stone mantels and hearths; vaulted, tray, waffle, coffered, domed, and/or cathedral ceilings in a smooth finish; and decorative columns. The main level features ceramic or porcelain tiles, plus prefinished stained-oak strip flooring throughout the nontiled areas.

According to Pennino, the kitchens are made to an equally high level. “Well-crafted cabinetry is combined with granite countertops, breakfast counters, a chef’s desk, islands, and pantries,” she says. “And the ultimate spa experience is located in the master en suite, which is equipped with marble floors and countertops, a floating acrylic tub, and an oversized, frameless-glass shower stall.”

Beaverhall has also incorporated green features into the homes, with Energy Star elements such as energy-efficient windows and Low-E, argon-filled windows.