2737 Keele Street

Conversions condos (or lofts) are all the rage these days — and with the state of the world, it makes sense that buildings would be recycled as well.

Formerly a hotel — although it looks more like an old telecommunications building — the Westmount Condos stands 10 storeys tall at 2737 Keele St. The exterior is somewhat drab, clad in light-yellow concrete with brown window frames, but that’s all part of the old hotel theme, and what you’ll find inside, is anything but dated.

Being a former hotel, you’d expect some fairly desirable amenities, and that’s exactly what you’ll get here: indoor pool, fitness centre, sauna, party room, meeting room, concierge, security guard, and parking garage. Two additional amenities that are often overlooked but always appreciated — visitor parking and guest suites means that your friends wont complain about parking or crash on your couch.

2737 Keele St is located in the Downsview neighbourhood — if you had to google it, that’s okay. North York condos won’t give you the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto, but you'll get a green filled community with shockingly low condo prices, which is certainly a nice consolation prize.

By far the most appealing aspect of 2737 Keele St is the price; the price per square foot at Westmount Condos can be as low as a third of what you’d pay for most Toronto condos for sale, so if you don’t mind a slower paced neighbourhood, you’ll save a ton of money. There are 238 units in the building, varying in size from 405 square feet for a studio to 1699 for a 3 bedroom + den.

Prospective buyers can expect to find large kitchens, with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances — some are open concept while others are enclave kitchens. Most units have hardwood flooring throughout living spaces, and porcelain or marble tiles in the bathrooms. And whether you have a cozy studio or a sprawling 3 bedroom, you enjoy access to a private balcony.

While most condo buyers flock to downtown neighbourhoods, areas like Downsview are becoming far more appealing as real estate prices continue to rise, and you might be surprised by just how convenient life can be at 2737 Keele St.

Move over Yorkville neighbourhood — okay, Yorkville probably holds its desirability quite well compared to Downsview, but there’s a lot to love about 2737 Keele St, and it starts with your morning coffee; Tim Hortons is directly across the street, so you can knock back double-doubles until you have heart palpitations. There’s also a Coffee Time just minutes away for some variety.

For dining out, there are several restaurants less than a 2 minute walk from your front door — Get & Go Burrito, Panda Chef Wok and Sushi, Swiss Chalet, Costa Verde B.B.Q. Chicken Inc, and Burger King. Go a little further, and you have Cultures for a salad bowl, Pho Mi Asia for Vietnamese, Maya for Guatemalan, Mastros for Italian, and Mustafa Turkish Kebab for Turkish, and many more — basically, the United Nations of food.

Shopping options in Downsview are bound to exceed expectations — on Wilson Avenue you’ll find a range of boutiques for video games, vintage clothing, electronics, tattoos, and modern fashion. For more substantial shopping, North York Sheridan Mall is a bus ride away on Wilson Ave. There’s also a Costco nearby, so if you’re looking for a stressful Sunday afternoon of wading through crowded aisles while wielding your shopping cart like a battle-axe, you can do that here too.

Nightlife in Downsview wont rival the Entertainment District, but there are some great hangouts nearby; Peter G's Bar And Grill is seconds away on Wilson, you can watch the game at Dilly's Sport Bar, or enjoy a late-night meal and drink at Kalesa Resto Bar. And if you have no interest in nightlife, there are countless recreation options at Downsview Park, including walking trails and a wide array of athletic facilities.

2737 Keele St boasts a 72 Walk Score, allowing for some errands to be accomplished on foot, while others will require a vehicle or public transit. Fortunately, grocery pickups can be done on foot, as Btrust Supermarket and Metro are both within walking distance.

Public transit users have a good place to start their commute; the intersection of Keele and Wilson is serviced by over 10 different bus routes, many of which connect to subway stations to the north, south, and east.

Car owners who live at Westmount Condos won’t need to stomach much time in traffic and can reach the nearest highway in 2 minutes by going south on Keele Street for the 401.