Award-winning condo developer Plaza’s first major lowrise community King East Estates a resounding success

After establishing itself as a premiere condominium developer in Toronto and the GTA, Plaza is bringing the same standards of excellence to the lowrise world.

Plaza’s new lowrise division’s first major project, King East Estates in Richmond Hill on King Rd. just east of Bathurst St., has been a resounding success. Eighty per cent of the homes in the first release sold and Phase 2 is coming soon. The development has 255 lots on 30 acres, including 79 luxury freehold townhomes, semis and detached homes on 40-, 50- and 60-ft. lots. Prices range from $1.025 million to more than $2 million for homes 1,980 to more than 4,000 sq. ft. in size. Plaza has another lowrise project on the books: Fairfield Towns, a luxury 14-unit townhome project now selling in Etobicoke.

Though COVID-19 has accelerated the trend of more people looking to the 905 and beyond for ground-level housing and fuelled hot demand, Plaza’s decision to create a lowrise division was in the works well before the pandemic.

Seamless expansion

“We were looking to get into the lowrise business to expand our brand,” says Plaza senior vice-president Scott McLellan. Plaza hired top consultants with a wealth of experience in the lowrise world and hired very experienced staff to facilitate its seamless expansion into that market. Plaza has specialized in building condominiums, primarily in Toronto and in key growing cities such as Vaughan and Mississauga.

As well as the same dedication to excellence in customer service – Plaza was recently named Tarion’s Highrise Builder of the Year in the Homeowners’ Choice Awards for the second time in three years – the company is as discriminating about choosing its lowrise sites as it is with condo sites.

“We look for sites in a community that’s established, with schools and parks, plenty of amenities and easy access to major highways, GO or existing transit hubs,” says McLellan. “One thing that was intriguing about the King East Estates location is it may be the last 30 acres within an established neighbourhood.”

While homebuyers will have Richmond Hill’s extensive suburban amenities close to home, they’ll also be just a five-minute drive from charming King City, with its excellent restaurants, cafes and boutique shops. Coppa’s Fresh Market, Oak Ridges Food Market and Food Basics, and several bakeries are within minutes of King East. Another advantage of the location is its proximity to nature, as it’s on the Oak Ridges Moraine, surrounded by rolling hills, woodlands and kettle lakes.

King East Estates will be within minutes of parks and greenspace including Lake Wilcox Park with its biking and hiking trails, picnic area and playground. Just to the east of the community is Parker Park where visitors can walk through the forest, along the marsh boardwalk and take in views of the East Humber River. Bond Lake, the King Trail at Seneca College and Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area are other popular spots nature lovers can explore. Golfers will enjoy having more than a half dozen golf courses close to home, as well as the Maple Leaf Cricket Grounds. Parents will appreciate having top-rated public and private schools in the area, as well as the King campus of Seneca College for post-secondary studies.

Commuters will have a quick drive to Hwys. 404, 400 and 407 for travel to downtown Toronto or across the GTA. The King City GO station is undergoing major improvements, including more parking, a second track and platform and improved biking amenities to prepare for two-way, all day train service. The area is also served by York Region and Viva transit.

Attention to detail

The homes at King East Estates will have the same attention to detail and well-designed floorplans that characterize Plaza’s highrise residences. Single homes will have brick exteriors and interior features such as coffered ceilings, winding staircases, generous storage and private study areas. The semis will have brick and stone facades with wood-panelled garage doors and a flowing floorplans, while townhomes will have three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, walk-in master closet and wooden patio deck. Closing dates will be July to December 2021.

King East buyers will also have the benefit of the same dedication to customer service Plaza is known for. “We will still offer award-winning customer service and communication and aim for zero deficiencies,” says McLellan. “When homeowners do their pre-delivery inspection, we’ll have a handyperson with them to fix any issues right away. We are bringing the same philosophies and principles into the lowrise world that we did in highrise and will have their residence almost hotel-ready when they move in.”

Virtual appointments are available for anyone interested in learning more about King East Estates and can be booked through pureplaza.com. Visit the sales office, now open at 1 Toscanini Rd. in Richmond Hill, open 1 to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends; Friday by appointment. 416.532.0238. pureplaza.com