23 Hollywood Avenue

When we think of precious metals, we tend to disregard one of the most valuable ones: platinum. When it comes to condos in Willowdale, however, the Platinum Condos is hard to forget. Built by the Conservatory Group in 2005, the 36-storey tower at 23 Hollywood Avenue stands out thanks to the slightly rounded balconies that crawl all the way up its façade.

There are 342 North York condos in total at 23 Hollywood Ave, as well as a generous list of amenities for residents to use. To start, the building is equipped with a concierge and security guard, as well as an underground parking lot with visitor spots. Residents can also host a gathering in the party room, put up visitors in one of the guest suites, or sit back, relax, and enjoy a good movie in the building’s theatre. And when it comes time to get one’s heart rate up, residents have the choice between a gym, sauna, or indoor pool.

There are homes at the Platinum Condos for a diverse crowd of condo seekers, with suites ranging in size from around 600 to 1,600 square feet. Young professionals looking for Toronto condos for rent might want to opt for one of the building’s studios, while sizeable families aren’t left out either, thanks to the three bedroom plus den homes available at 23 Hollywood Ave.

Prospective residents can expect to find some similarities from condo to condo, including floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, and stainless steel appliances. Living spaces are open concept for the most part, with some kitchens delineated by a change in flooring and others laid out railroad-style.

Torontonians who choose not to live in the downtown core (for whatever reason) don’t have to give the opportunity to live in a bustling, dense neighbourhood. Enter Willowdale: North York’s very own commercial and cultural hub.

The heart of neighbourhood, which is bound by Bathurst, Finch, Bayview, and the 401, is Yonge Street, which is packed to the brim with restaurants, shops, cafés, bars, services, and entertainment venues. Residents wanting to watch a movie, for example, can head over to Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, while those looking to impress a date can score tickets to a live performance at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.

There are also plenty of free things to do in Willowdale, both indoor and out. Rainy days may call for a trip to the North York Central Library or the Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre, while sunny summer Saturdays can be spent exploring the picturesque ravine in Earl Bales Park.

It takes all of about five minutes to walk to Sheppard-Yonge subway station, which basically equates to having all of Toronto at one’s fingertips. From this station, passengers can ride south down the Yonge line toward neighbourhoods like Yorkville, Yonge and Dundas, and the Financial District. Alternatively, anyone whose destination is due east can access the Sheppard line from this station as well.

As for drivers living at 23 Hollywood, it’s helpful to have the 401 so close at hand. Residents can use this major highway — which also happens to be the busiest in North America — to reach Mississauga or Scarborough, Pearson International Airport, or other highways including the 427, the Allen Expressway, and the Don Valley Parkway.