In the early 1900s, Toronto’s Leaside neighbourhood was designed to emulate the successful Rosedale community. And it has evolved into a popular, upscale residential area, but with a character distinctly its own.

Huge swaths of greenspace and parks, a mix of independent shops and big-box stores, sports facilities, restaurants and cafes are among the midtown neighbourhood’s appeals. It was named for early 19th-century settler William Lea, was incorporated as a town in 1913, and after amalgamating with former city East York, Leaside joined the City of Toronto in 1998.

It’s had its share of famous residents, including former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who lived there from birth and attended Northlea Elementary and Middle School, NHL players Trevor Kidd, Darcy Tucker and Doug Gilmour, and comedian Colin Mochrie. It’s been coveted by upper middle-class families who consider it a desirable place to raise their kids.

With major highways nearby, public transit and now the Eglinton Crosstown LRT under construction, the neighbourhood is highly accessible. And now developer Camrost Felcorp is aiming to fill as housing niche in demand with Upper East VillageResidences of Upper East Village, a master-planned, three-phase community with a new public park set on more than four acres at 939 Eglinton Ave. E. The first phase, with 270 condo suites and 13 townhouses, will launch sales this spring and is geared to downsizers and families.

“Leaside has long been incredibly desirable. It’s a very established community and a tight-knit one at that,” says Kevin Crigger, broker at Johnston & Daniel, a division of Royal LePage, R.E.S.

“People who live in Leaside tend to stay there, and there haven’t been a lot of options for people looking for a lifestyle change or younger families wanting to come back to the neighbourhood,” adds Crigger

Joseph Feldman, director of development for Camrost Felcorp, says his company has had prior success with larger suites geared to end users, such as the Foxbar Collection at Blue Diamond and The Avenue — both in Forest Hill and both condo developments geared to buyers looking for larger units.

Homeowners looking to downsize — yet still live in a spacious home and remain in the area — are among the buyers targeted for Upper East Village suites. The average price for a detached home in Leaside is $1.7 million to $1.8 million.

Feldman says while many other developers have been reluctant to do larger suites, his company has successfully tapped into this niche.

“We’re very fortunate to be pioneering this type of project on that part of the Eglinton strip on the new LRT line,” he adds.

“The residential we are bringing there will make the area more vibrant,” says Feldman. “We are introducing a brick and limestone façade that … fits the charm of the Leaside neighbourhood.”

“People don’t want to give up a beautiful chef’s kitchen. They want to cook, they want to entertain and unlike young buyers, a lot of their life focus is in their home,” says Crigger, who says his real estate company focuses on end users such as the buyers who will be attracted to Upper East Village.

Attention has been paid to room placement and flow of space in the units, says Crigger. Many suites will be 1,000 to 1,400 square feet, and — while the development will also include both larger and smaller units — this size of home allows people to simplify their lives but still have space to entertain and have children and grandchildren stay over.

As well, younger buyers will be part of the mix for Upper East Village.

“A family trying to enter the Leaside market will be looking at $1.8 million to buy a single home that requires renovation and that’s a little prohibitive,” says Feldman. “At Upper East Village, for a condominium priced just over $1 million, you have access to amazing schools and school programs. This is an opportunity for young families to get into Leaside now.”

Award-winning architects Page + Steele // IBI Architects and renowned landscape architect Janet Rosenberg & Studio are part of the team designing Upper East Village.

“We brought in a high-end interior design firm, Powell & Bonnell and have been working with (principal) Fenwick Bonnell directly,” says Feldman. “The interiors will be not too modern, not too traditional, but it will be a comfortable style, perfect for the Leaside demographic.”

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For buyers who want an option at street level and generous space, the townhomes will provide a features traditional Leaside homes don’t have, such as walk-in closets, ensuite bathrooms and powder rooms.

As well, there will be more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenity space to be shared by the first two buildings, including outdoor terraces with barbecues and firepits, and seating areas where residents can relax with their friends, children or grandchildren. Other amenities include an indoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness facility and a children’s playroom.

Feldman says one unique feature will be a meeting room off the main lobby that will make it straighforward for residents to conduct business in private.

“This is arguably one of the most exciting projects Toronto has seen for some time and will set a benchmark for the area,” says Crigger.

With big box stores just south of East Upper Village, mom-and-pop shops on Bayview Ave., the promixity to public transit, a sports fields and even a horse stable, “it is not an understatement to say this is one of the best neighbourhoods in the city,” says Feldman.

RESIDENCES OF UPPER EAST VILLAGE, Phase 1

Location: 939 Eglinton Ave. E., Toronto (between Laird Dr. and Brentcliffe Rd.)

Developer: Camrost Felcorp

Architect: Page + Steele // IBI Architects

Tentative occupancy: Mid-2021

Development size: 21 floors with 270 suites and 13 street-level townhomes

Suite plans: Tower suites include one bedroom, one plus den, two bedroom, two plus den and three bedroom options. Two-storey townhomes include two-bedroom plans, with and without dens.

Suite size: 500 to 2,000 sq. ft.

Price range: Starting at under $600,000

Info: Sales centre at 939 Eglinton Ave. E., www.uppereastvillage.com