Despite the growing hustle and bustle of Midtown Toronto, a new 22-storey condo called AKRA promises to be a retreat in the sky, just a few blocks north of the busy intersection of Yonge and Eglinton.
Curated Properties is seeking to balance the intense development taking place in the area with a relatively modest, human-scaled residence centred around good health and mindfulness.
Recent studies estimate the global wellness market at more than $1.5 trillion, growing at a rate of five to 10 per cent annually. For Curated Properties partner Adam Ochshorn, the sustained growth in the sector is evidence of a fundamental shift in consumer behaviour that will guide how people live in a pandemic-influenced world.
“As residential developers we have an opportunity to respond to this growing demand with the buildings we’re bringing to market,” he says. “Wouldn’t it be nice to live somewhere that positively contributed to your overall health?
“From leveraging environmental factors like improved air quality to creating spaces that are conducive to leading calmer, more organized lifestyles, we’re taking an evidence-based approach to ensure that the amenities and features at AKRA enhance the lives of future residents.”
Five wellness categories were identified by Curated Properties and their consultants, which include architects RAW Design, interior designers Chapi Chapo and landscape architects Alexander Budrevics & Associates. Health, fitness, nutrition, sleep and mindfulness are the foundational wellness elements that inspire AKRA’s communal areas and in-suite designs.
Building amenities will include communal herbal and Zen gardens, with planters dedicated to herbs with medicinal properties, as well as private fitness rooms with Aura Air filtration, which uses UV filters to reduce particulate levels in the air.
A dedicated spa, branded AKRA Rituals, will feature infrared saunas with integrated red light and halo therapy, hot and cold plunge pools, and an experiential shower with integrated chromotherapy, among other offerings.
Spa features were carefully programmed to optimize health benefits for future residents. The infrared saunas were selected for their ability to improve blood flow and muscle recovery, comfortably supporting the lymphatic and central nervous systems to help heal and rejuvenate cellular tissue.
Similarly, the cold plunge pool stimulates the skin and awakens the circulatory system, reinforcing the cardiovascular and immune systems while providing pain relief, muscle healing, and inflammation reduction.
Outside of AKRA Rituals, every unit will be equipped with an energy recovery ventilator device to provide a dedicated, continuous supply of fresh air to each suite. HVAC units will be equipped with HEPA/MERV filters to maintain a high standard of indoor air quality across all suites and high traffic areas throughout the building.
“The choices we make as developers dictate the lifestyle available to our residents. We have found that focusing our projects on relevant themes allows us to deliver buildings that live and breathe and offer a better quality of life for our residents,” says Curated Properties partner Gary Eisen. “We had great success focusing our last project, The Plant, around urban agriculture. We expect to replicate that success with AKRA, providing residents with the best environment to build daily rituals that will help them lead healthier, happier lives.”
With 211 residential units, AKRA’s sculpted form reflects the development’s focus on health and mindfulness, utilizing a warm material palette of brick and brushed bronze panels along with generous outdoor space.
On Erskine Avenue opposite a public park, a series of carefully plotted setbacks nestle AKRA between a neighbouring residence and a bank of townhomes to the east. The setbacks create a sense of privacy and intimacy amid the intense transformation taking place at Yonge and Eglinton, and also allow for a wide range of private terraces and common outdoor amenities.
“The conditions of the site necessitated a series of setbacks, but as a result, we have a great collection of outdoor spaces, including terraces that are the width of the unit and ten feet deep, with views overlooking the park,” says Roland Rom Colthoff, RAW Design.
Interiors for AKRA were helmed by Chapi Chapo, leveraging the firm’s extensive international hospitality experience designing spas and wellness clubs for leading brands like The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and The St. Regis.
Upon entering the lobby, residents and visitors will be greeted by double height ceilings and pre-programmed lighting levels based on the time of day to support healthy circadian rhythms.
Common areas emphasize layered textures, warm, natural materials like woods, and indirect lighting to maintain a sense of calm. In suite, thoughtfully designed built-in closet units, pantries and linen closets will provide future residents with multiple in-suite storage enhancements.
Integrated Curated Intelligence technology powered by Smart One will offer features such as hands-free entry, automated parcel delivery, and smartphone access to your home, providing connected, efficient, and organized living spaces.
