Carriage Villas

It was first class all the way when the concrete six-storey Carriage Villas building was completed in 1981 by Trouth Agencies and Wilderman Agencies (so the Condo Plan says). The plan also identifies the building as Casa Real, although it's certainly Carriage Villas today (2007). There are only 14 sprawling condo homes in this terraced concrete building, which initially had a small swimming pool. The building starts with two levels of parking, accessed by a west-side ramp down and an east-side ramp up. These garages are so large that every suite has two indoor parking spots. The first floor is all parking behind the marble-tiled lobby and the old pool area, which makes for a large social room with kitchen. Above this are four levels of suites, with the fourth level having only two homes that are huge two-level loft-style homes with vast open-to-below areas. Would you believe these suites measure 2,974 and 3,152 sq. ft? These two also each enjoy extensive front and back balconies off their main floor, including a full sun room.

The other 12 suites are no slouches either. The smallest three suites are about 1,280 sq. ft., followed by four in the range of 1,530 sq. ft., and then five that measure about 1,636 sq. ft. Finally there are those two penthouses; amazing! All suites have some atrium-like glass with over-height ceilings. Even the north end of the central hallway has view windows and a vaulted sixth-floor ceiling. All suites have corner locations and either east or west-facing pointy projections with windows, allowing one to poke a head "out" and look along the building's sides.

While a suite with original finishing might be hiding in here, most suites have been updated and upgraded. They had wood-burning fireplaces at the outset, but many are now gas-burning. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms with in-suite laundry and storage are standard. Some bathrooms offer a bidet, a jetted tub and/or a steam shower. Rooms tend to be very large and finishings look formal or sophisticated. There's extra storage and wine cellars off the garage levels. There's central air conditioning and heat controlled independently for most rooms. Exterior windows and doors--including all that atrium glass--are common property for maintenance and eventual replacement.