The King of King West moves to Yonge and Eglinton
July 27, 2015
Twenty years ago, nobody wanted to live in King West. Today it’s the hottest ticket in town. YP NextHome chats with Peter Freed, the man behind Freed Developments who’s also gained notoriety “the King of King West,” about his development and transformation of the neighbourhood, and what the future holds for Toronto’s next hot spot – Yonge and Eglinton.
YPNH:How has the Yonge and Eglinton neighbourhood/lifestyle (or should I say, your vision for it) influenced your project at 150 Redpath?
PF:We took a strategic approach to the design of 150 Redpath and really paid attention to the neighbourhood, the lifestyle of the people who live there, and how condo buyers actually live their lives. We designed 150 Redpath to exemplify the ‘always on’ lifestyle of this vibrant neighbourhood that’s bustling 24 hours a day, seven days a week with people living, working and entertaining in the area. The 24-hour diner is a symbol of the ‘always on’ lifestyle that will emerge. We want 150 Redpath to be a central hub of activity, and the design of the diner will be a really fun part of that.
YPNH:How long have you been a developer, and what is the one thing you’ve learned from your experience?
PF:I have been in the development industry for nearly 25 years. I started as a labourer, worked on construction sites, then learned the development side, so it has really been a ground-up experience. I’ve learned a lot of things in my career, however above all, I have learned that this business is constantly changing. There is always something new to learn, a new direction to go in. There is an enormous amount of opportunity and potential, and having the courage to chase a vision can go a long way.
YPNH:What does the future hold for Freed Developments?
PF:Right now we are currently planning for a number of creative mixed-use projects along strategic avenues in the downtown core. I can’t say much more than that right now, but it’s very exciting and there’s definitely lots to come.
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About Lydia McNutt
Lydia McNutt is an award-winning writer and editor.