Larger units and more buildings in public transit-accessible suburban locations are two of the trends to look for in the Greater Toronto Area condominium market.

The Rockport Group’s George condos and townhomes in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood reflect new trends.

“Some of us have to go out to the suburbs. Not because we want to, but because there aren’t opportunities, or they’re that much more difficult to find, in the downtown core,” Canderel executive vice-president Ben Rogowski said at the May 3 Land & Development Conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

“We would prefer to be developing downtown transit-oriented product.”

Rogowski added that municipal politicians in the suburbs are generally happier to speak with developers than their downtown counterparts, which can make projects easier to build in outlying areas.

“The Toronto market is very robust and very challenging. The margins have been compressed and complications are so much greater than they used to be, so everything is more complicated and time-consuming. We get rewarded far less for the risk that we take compared to what it used to be even 15 years ago.”

Lower high-rise inventories

Those thoughts were expanded on by others on the panel.

“We’re seeing lower inventories of high-rise because that low-hanging fruit, those large parking lots, are all gone,” said Menkes Developments Ltd. high-rise residential vice-president Jared Menkes. “There are a handful of them left and they’re already owned by developers.

“We’re seeing sites that are more difficult to rezone. You have to think outside the box, but the city is giving you a tighter box. We’re seeing increased setbacks.”

A subway stop and transit hub slated to open before the end of the year within close proximity to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, at Highway 7 and Jane Street north of Toronto, presents opportunities for condo developers, as will increased public transit coming to Mississauga.

While development costs are increasing, Menkes said: “For a location where you can get the right price, you can build it. Where there’s no transit, I think it’s going to be difficult to get the demand and the price you need.”

Increased competition for condo developers

Another challenge for longtime private developers in Toronto, according to Rogowski, is much more competition from upstart smaller developers, real estate investment trusts, pension funds, insurance companies and out-of-market groups to acquire land and buildings in an attempt to capitalize on the city’s booming real estate market.

“There are so many guys that have become developers who’ve never had a hiccup,” said Cranson Capital founder and president Devon Cranson. “It’s been up and up and up because they’ve been in business for seven years or less.

“If there is a hiccup, you really learn who knows what they’re doing and can handle those situations. Hopefully you haven’t partnered or invested with someone who can’t handle those situations when they come up.”

“If you have deep pockets and the right partners and you understand your costs and how to communicate with your buyers and employees, I think you’re going to be quite successful,” offered Menkes.

“A good market makes everyone look smart and mistakes get corrected very quickly,” added Rogowski. “Good developers have seen the movie a couple of times already and know what to look for.”

Mid-rise condos, townhomes gain popularity

While Cranson said his company typically dealt with high-rise condo developers seeking money for their projects in the past, he and his competitors are now seeing many more mid-rise townhome developers.

“As opposed to asking for a $30-million or $40-million cheque, they’re asking for a $5-million or $10-million cheque. It’s a lot easier to get those deals done.”

Menkes believes there’s a huge opportunity for mid-rise condos in established neighbourhoods. He added that some developers are taking a more responsible and longer-term approach with their condos by making bigger suites and including family-friendly amenities such as kids’ rooms and outdoor play areas.

“It’s important to be a good citizen for the city you’re building in and not just pumping out product on an assembly line,” said Menkes. “You’re changing the skyline and how people live.”

Rockport’s George development

The Rockport Group started as a suburban single-family homebuilder in 1957. It has since moved into the 416 area code and begun to specialize in developing mid-rise condos. One of its projects is George, an eight-storey residence with 83 condo suites and eight townhomes in Toronto’s Leslieville area, which is more than 80 per cent sold.

The average size of the units is more than 900 square feet and Rockport has extended the living space with what it calls “urban yards,” minimum 100-square-foot balconies finished with porcelain floor tiles, gas barbecues and decorative screens that add privacy while letting in plenty of light.

“We learned through a lot of research on that project that there’s a limited supply of condo space for families,” said Rockport principal Daniel Winberg.

“We’re building to allow people in Leslieville and the Beach that are having families to stay in the area where they’ve been living, or where their kids are going to school, or want to go to school. The amenities that they know are there.”

Small units used to sell first during pre-construction when Cranson started financing condo developers in 2011. Now he’s seeing larger suites selling the quickest in some projects.

“I think we’re seeing more informed buyers and investors than we used to, and they demand sophisticated product that’s different and continually evolving,” said Rogowski. “That’s exciting because it forces us to think about what’s next.”

“Our companies wouldn’t exist for as long as they have if they didn’t accept and embrace change,” said Winberg.