John Pasalis in Real Estate Roundup
Are Toronto's new condos Throw-away Buildings?
The CBC has a great series this week on the potential future problems with all the glass walled condos we are seeing downtown. Industry experts are predicting that window wall systems used in the majority of new condos are going to fail 15 to 25 years after they are installed. One nine year old condo is already seeing its windows fail and has filed a lawsuit against the builder.
The window wall system used in most new condos is a significantly cheaper alternative to the curtain wall system used in commercial buildings and luxury condos. But at three times the price curtain wall systems are too expensive for Toronto's price sensitive condo buyers.
image from CBC
Throw-away buildings: Toronto's glass condos (CBC)
Thermal Window Failure: How it Happens (CBC)
A developer's change of heart (CBC)
The slow-motion failure of Toronto's glass condos (CBC)
Curtainwalls best suited for highrise condos (Daily Commercial News)
Canadian Home Sales up in October and CREA updates its forecast
CREA Updates Resale Housing Forecast (CREA)
Canadian home sales edge higher in October (CREA)
Canadian home sales doing better than expected (CTV)
What you need to know about Canada’s booming housing market (National Post)
Canadian consumers remain bullish on real estate market (Calgary Herald)
Existing home sales rise 1.2 percent in October (Reuters)
Toronto housing sales remain strong (Toronto Star)
Other Real Estate News
200 Storeys Coming To Harbour Street (True Condos)
Buying a condo: New or resale? (Globe and Mail)
Even in shaky times, real estate can offer a solid investment foundation (Globe and Mail)
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November 18, 2011
This Week In Real Estate |