Top 7 Condo Developers
When it comes to seeing a healthy ROI on pre-construction condos in the GTA, a key component of my 4 Pillars System is the builder’s caliber, ie. choosing the right people for the job. There are literally hundreds of condo developers in Toronto, and 250 projects going every year. The question is, which one is right for you?
Clients often ask about which is the best project to invest in, right now. I find myself repeating the same advice: “Don’t get into bed with a junior developer, too many things can go wrong. You need to partner up with a savvy team that has many projects under their belt, and vertical growth so that they are have all resources in house (financing, skilled trades, etc.)” Invest in the builder before you invest in a building, to see the best ROI.
Best Bang For your buck
Here is a list of the 7 best of the best. They don’t always have the cheapest price, but when I invest, I am aiming for RESULTS, not the cheapest. I’m also looking for the least hassle, and quality treatment by their staff. This is a business arrangement, and we should be treated with respect. If you have had a good or bad experience with a developer you can email me and let me know.
An industry leader, Tridel projects sell well pre-construction as well as resale. 85 years experience under their belt, and named builder of the year multiple times
They always complete in a timely fashion. The build is always high-quality, and they register their condos exceptionally quick.
Aqualina took 1 month from Occupancy to Registration. In Toronto real estate terms, that is lightning fast.
Past Projects:
Aqualina
300 Front St West
Ten York
Menkes Developments is a veteran in condo development and commercial buildings. They have been around for over 65 years and are known for their quality of work and European finishes. Their portfolio consists of low rise, mid rise, and high rise. A family owned enterprise, their reputation is paramount.
We have chosen to work with Menkes for the last decade because they treat our clients extremely well, and made great profits for them.
Past Projects:
Four Seasons Private Residences (Yorkville)
Harbour Plaza (Toronto Waterfront)
Festival and Grand Festival (Vaughan)
Current Offerings:
Low Rise: Glen Ashton, M2 Towns
Hi Rise: Adagio, The Whitfield, SugarWharf, 4800 Yonge
By now you’ve heard the name Great Gulf; they have been in the GTA for over 45 years and their name is synonymous with Wow. Builder of the year in 2018 and 2020, with customer service excellence.
Cons: the drawback is they have limited inventory and their projects are very hard to get into.
Past Masterpieces:
One Bloor
357 King
Monde
Here is a view from the Penthouse of their 44th floor Waterfront Penthouse at Monde.
Still a small establishment, but quickly showing this developer means serious business. Over 13 buildings in 10 years, with a unique claim to fame no other developer in the GTA can boast: “0 Days of Interim Occupancy and no cancelled projects in 10 years.” Meaning there is no occupancy period with CentreCourt, they deliver keys and title at the same time!
Cons: We have had report of poor communication and lack of response recently during Covid. “It takes them days to return e-mails or phone calls.” This could be attributed to Covid, as they have been par for the course in the past. We’ll keep our eyes on them.
Past Projects:
Transit City
Zen Condos
INDX
A fitting name, Pinnacle International are at the top of condo developers in the GTA, Vancouver, Mississauga, and all the way down to San Diego. They’re well-funded and their projects generally complete without much delay. Most important their projects are built with a remarkable level of quality and stand the test of time.
Cons: They gear their projects for end users, and typically don’t offer the privilege of Leasing During Occupancy… this is not very investor friendly.
Past Masterpieces:
33 Bay St.
The Ritz (Vancouver)
Grand Park 1&2 (Mississauga)
Current Offerings:
The Prestige at One Yonge
Daniels doesn’t mess around. Well-known and established condo developers in the Toronto area, they have master-planned communities under their belt, and an extensive list of awards to back up their 40 years of experience.
Some of the awards they have racked up include the Toronto Arts and Business Award, Community Impact Award, and the Toronto Urban Design Award among many others.
They make everything easy for you by introducing a step-by-step guide for First Time Home Buyers, which includes a reduced deposit structure.
Cons: they insist on a firm mortgage commitment when you buy pre-construction. This makes it difficult for most investors to partner up with Daniels.
Past Projects:
Arc and Wesley Tower (Mississauga)
Festival Tower (Toronto Ent. District)
Beverly
Closing in on 30 years in Canada, Riocan is known for impeccable management, building near easy access to major commuter routes, contextual architecture, best in class communal amenities, retail experiences curated by the retail experts.
Their experience building rental apartments has cultivated a mission of developing quality that is designed to last 50+ years. Investors will be well rewarded partnering up with Riocan, with a low cost of ownership and hassle-free investment for years to come.
Past Projects:
The Kingly
UC Tower
A Guide To Choosing Your Toronto Condo Developer
How do you know which developer is right for you? Here are factors we scrutinize for the best ROI.
The cost, as most of us work with a budget when looking for our next home. Aside from that, the quality guarantee, the timeline, and the design are important.
Pre-construction projects are a little riskier because you can’t touch what you’re buying yet. For an in depth look at how to achieved seven (7) figure returns investing in condos, picking the winners and avoiding the bad ones, Download a Free Copy of the Book.