Ledim Developments has followed a similar path to several other Greater Toronto Area developers in recent years, as the family-owned firm has sharpened its focus on the multires sector. It's latest Kingston Road project, on its home turf in Ajax, is an example.

Ledim was founded by Ilya Tarsky and his sons Max and Denis in 2005, initially building multi-tenant commercial complexes before putting a bigger focus on purpose-built rental apartments and mixed-use. It now has about 9,000 rental units at various stages of its development pipeline, the majority of which are in or close to its home base.

“We start from raw land, we take it through rezoning entitlements for the best use, and then we go through construction and marketing,” Denis Tarsky said in an interview with RENX. The two brothers are now co-principals. “We prefer to be hands-on every single step of the way.” 

While Ledim handles low-rise construction in-house, it works with Toronto-based Bluescape Construction Management for its high-rise projects.

Denis said many GTA residents have moved to Ajax and Durham Region over the past 10 years due to its cheaper and more stable housing prices and for lifestyle reasons. The brothers feel they have a good handle on the area’s demographic shifts and can build the type of housing people are seeking.

“We're trying to pick something that we feel comfortable with and that we feel knowledgeable enough with, and then focus on it with 100 per cent of our attention,” Denis said. “That's the reason why we’ve stuck with Durham Region.”

310 Kingston Rd. E.

The initial planning for Ledim’s latest development at 310 Kingston Rd. E. in Ajax, which broke ground in September, began back in 2012. 

“The difference between building a commercial plaza and building a 25-storey mixed-use building is it takes years and years to get tall buildings approved,” Denis said. “It's much more challenging and there's much more involved.”

The Kingston Road development will include 21 floors of residences above a four-storey pad with structural parking, 11,920 square feet of grade-level commercial space and one level of underground parking. 

“You have one level of underground parking because you need a basement for your building to be grounded,” Denis said. “But above-ground parking costs less than below-ground.”

The 380 units will be comprised of studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

“Over 50 per cent of the units are accessible, or convertible into accessible units, so people can age in place,” Max Tarsky noted in the same interview.

Amenities at 310 Kingston Rd. E. will include:

• smart technology and washers and dryers in units;
• a rooftop patio and lounge with barbecue areas,
• a community garden and sun-tanning areas;
• a fitness room and a yoga studio;
• co-working space;
• party rooms;
• a children’s play room;
• a daycare facility;
• and a car-share service.

Balconies will use technology from Lumon, which has developed a frameless retractable glass panel system that provides weather protection when needed without fully enclosing a balcony. The ventilated system allows airflow inside a balcony and makes the space usable year-round.

“It's an additional expense for us to provide as a building developer, but it’s something that we're sure the tenant will appreciate because it's very practical and very usable,” Max said.

The Richard Wengle Architect-designed development is in the heart of Ajax, with shopping, restaurants and entertainment within walking distance. Public transit is easily accessible and Highway 401 is a short distance away.

Rentals preferred over condominiums

Ledim feels purpose-built rentals are a better and safer option than condominiums in today’s environment because they’re easier to fill at a time when condo sales have dropped significantly.

The company wants to change perceptions and attitudes about renting being just a temporary stop on the journey to home ownership.

“Whether you're renting or whether you're owning, it doesn't matter,” Max said. “It's a roof above your head. You like it, you enjoy it, you can comfortably afford it, and then you worry about other things in your life.” 

For these reasons, Ledim’s philosophy is rental buildings have to offer more and be done better than condos. 

“If it's a rental building, you own the building for hundreds of years and you want to make sure it's done to the highest possible standards because you really want it to be full all the time,” Max stated.

Other proposed Ledim developments

Ledim is also proposing to develop a mixed-use project at 190 Westney Rd. S. in the centre of the Ajax GO Transit intensification node. Site-specific Official Plan and zoning by-law amendments have been approved and it’s hoped construction will start next summer.

It would consist of two 51-storey residential towers with 1,249 units atop a nine-storey podium with eight levels of structural parking, two levels of commercial space comprising 55,315 square feet, a 22-room hotel, one level of underground parking, and indoor and outdoor amenities.

Ledim also has longer-term proposals for:

• two 18-storey residential towers atop an eight-storey podium with four levels of structural parking at 154 Rossland Rd. E. in Ajax. It would include 548 units, indoor and outdoor amenities, and one level of underground parking;
• two 22-storey residential towers atop an eight-storey podium with four levels of structural parking and 13,000 square feet of ground-level commercial space at 211 Clarington Blvd. in Bowmanville. It would include 924 units, indoor and outdoor amenities, and one level of underground parking;
• two 19-storey buildings connected by a four-storey parkade and 14 ground-level commercial units totalling 19,224 square feet at 1951 Harwood Ave. N. in Ajax. It would include 666 units and indoor and outdoor amenities;
• two 53-storey residential towers atop a nine-storey podium with eight levels of structural parking and 30,515 square feet of commercial space at 493 Bayly St. W. in Ajax. It would include 1,311 units, indoor and outdoor amenities, and one level of underground parking;
• and 85 detached homes and 256 townhouses in the 54-acre Muskoka Trails residential subdivision in Port Carling, Ont.