A new condo and townhouse project is on construction watch at the corner of Dundas West and Manning Avenue. On the site of the former Maple Leaf Lumber Yard, the projected awaited permit approval before finally breaking ground to begin the Nero Condos, a new development helping to gentrify and revitalize the Bathurst and Dundas neighbourhood (hey, the nearby Tim Hortons and McDonald's got a makeover). This new project by RAW Design is an eight-storey mixed-use condo/townhouse development with 98 units, priced from $300,000s. The project was supposed to be completed in 2012 but was delayed due to zoning issues. Local residents were concerned with the height of the building, the tallest new condo in the Little Portugal neighbourhood. Right around the corner, a new block of modern townhouses were built between Manning and Claremont Streets.
The once shabby neighbourhood is starting to show promise with new restaurants and developments popping up. The Dundas West block is taking shape with trendy eats like Hudson Kitchen creating buzz (Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston dined there during the Toronto International Film Festival, separately, of course). Queen Margherita Pizza, Toronto's Neapolitan craze, is coming soon to the area. All that's missing now is a few dozen self-serve frozen yogurt shops.
· The Restaurant that's Hosting Both Brad and Jen at TIFF [Globe]
· Nero Condos, Discussion Forum [UrbanToronto]
· Residents' Associations in Bloor West Galvanize Communities for Change [InsideToronto]