The penthouses at Maverick are the epitome of lavish living in downtown Toronto, taking luxury to a whole new level with upgraded finishes and breathtaking views. If you’re considering making the move to this brand new building on King Street West, read on to discover why these penthouse residences stand out.

Plus, the ensuite bathroom provides a custom-like feel, with double-sink vanities, high-end heated flooring, and cabinetry that adds a touch of opulence to these private retreats.

And if you prefer a spot indoors, the stylish lounge areas are perfect for hosting gatherings. So whether you’re looking for relaxation, recreation, or a vibrant social scene, Empire Maverick has you covered.

Interested in calling one of these beautiful penthouses home? Explore The Penthouse Collection at Maverick.

Next, discover the top eats in the area and check out the best parks in the city.

As Empire Quay House continues to take shape on Queens Quay East by Toronto’s eastern waterfront, our construction site became the perfect opportunity to inject a new burst of art and creativity for the neighbourhood to enjoy. To help us bring our hoarding to life, we teamed up with students from George Brown College’s design program.

The team of Christina Kim, Natalie Franke, and Kristie Jones were given creative freedom to use the condo project’s hoarding as an outlet for artistic expression. They landed on transformation as their design theme, inspired by scenic views of where the city and waterfront meet.

The unique design plays on the waterfront and waves, using them to transform from one activity to another. A streetcar that transforms into an outing at Sugar Beach, and a community basketball court that evolves into a scene of someone working in an office building are just a few of the concepts. The final result? A vibrant, eye-catching display that reflects the liveliness and energy of Toronto’s downtown core.

“Art and partnerships like these with Empire Quay House are just another opportunity to bring public art into Torontonians’ lives every day,” explains Franke. The power of art is limitless, stimulating learning and creativity in people of all ages. It prompts self-reflection and awareness, and develops a sense of community pride.

Despite art being integral to Toronto, there aren’t always opportunities for up-and-coming talent to showcase their work. “It brings a lot of joy and creativity to the city. While there is a lot of creativity that can be found in Toronto, it’s not always something that we always see directly on the street,” explains Jones. “Being able to bring that to people who are out and about, and show off what the city has to offer is always a wonderful opportunity.”

Located on Toronto’s eastern waterfront, Quay House’s hoarding is the perfect canvas for students to gain public exposure in the local art scene on a large scale, being located in a high-traffic area with Sugar Beach in walking distance. Students bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the table, providing a special skill set and creative solutions that might not have been considered before. The benefits are twofold as these opportunities end up setting them up for future success in the industry.

“Empire’s collaboration with George Brown has been a wonderful opportunity for us to bring public art into the lives of Torontonians right on the street as we celebrate creativity and the vibrant culture of this Toronto waterfront community,” says Josie Arcella, Senior Marketing Director at Empire Communities. “We thank these talented students for letting us work hand in hand to bring this vision to life for Quay House.”

To find out more about Empire Quay House and our other communities in the GTA, click here.

Interested in learning more about some of the other talented designers we’ve teamed up with? Check out Sarah Neuburger’s work in Atlanta, Georgia and Samara Shuter’s thought-provoking artwork at Empire Maverick in Toronto.

The Avenue Road and Lawrence neighbourhood is a coveted part of Toronto — an area rich in boutique stores, premier grocers, and some of the city’s best schools, both public and private. If you’ve always wanted to call this area home, a townhome at Empire Maven may be a great opportunity for you, especially if you’re looking for more room to grow. Here are 4 standout features of these luxe two-storey townhomes in the Avenue Road and Lawrence neighbourhood.

Interested in moving into one of Maven’s townhomes in the Avenue Road and Lawrence neighbourhood? Learn more about our floor plans and get in touch with one of our New Home Specialists to begin your homebuying journey or to book a private tour. Next, hear what designer Truong Ly had to say about the The Leland townhome at Empire Maven.

Photos courtesy of: Lightemotion (Pusateri’s); Havergal College (Havergal Students).

Designed to exude a sense of sophistication and comfort, The Cranbrooke suite at Empire Maven is a space you can envision yourself living in. That’s the feeling designer Helena Da Costa of Toronto design firm Twelveo5 kept in mind when she designed this 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom penthouse suite spanning 1,692 sq.ft. on Avenue Road.

With bold pops of colour incorporated through the home’s furnishings and artwork, black hardware accents in the kitchen, and cooler wood tones grounding each room, The Cranbrooke leaves a lasting impression. “The curated finishes selected by the builder gave us the perfect backdrop to create an impactful design concept and colour scheme for the home,” says Da Costa. To complement the suite’s open-concept design ripe for entertaining, she used rugs to define the living and dining rooms. She was specific about which pieces of furniture she selected to not overshadow the home’s luxurious finishes.

Tucked in from the main living area and dining room, The Cranbrooke’s kitchen is a dream to spend time in. Large windows are located just in front of the island, bringing in an abundance of natural light which illuminates the beautiful hardware, minimalist cabinets and marble countertops in the space.

Home to a floor-to-ceiling feature wall with a built-in fireplace, the living room is the heart of the suite, featuring a neutral palette that Helena used to incorporate bold pops of colour for design harmony. “The couch’s tweed fabric gave the room a bit of a masculine feel, balancing the Calcutta stone surrounding the fireplace which is much more of a delicate material,” she says.

The dining room was designed with the modern entertainer in mind, with ample space to host parties of ten or more. “With the terrace wrapping along the full length of the suite, the amount of daylight is maximized,” says Da Costa. “The openness of this area allows guests to move freely from the kitchen to the dining and living rooms, creating an adaptable social space.”

Radiating with luxury, the primary bedroom is an enviable part of the suite. A mix of fabrics were used to create visual interest in the room. Large enough for a dedicated seating area, this bedroom is a true retreat. With multiple windows and access to the terrace, here is where mornings or evenings will be well spent sipping on a cup of coffee or a glass of wine before bed. Both of the home’s bedrooms have large walk-in closets and luxurious marble tiles in their ensuites — a feature which isn’t found in most condos.

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There was a point in time, not too long ago, when many of us were itching to escape the city. Yes, we were looking for “more space” both inside and outdoors, but we also felt like the Toronto we once knew had changed so much, that we didn’t feel the same sort of desire to be there. The restaurants we frequented with friends had closed, we could no longer browse the offerings of our favourite stores, and all of our go-to weekend destinations just ceased to exist. The Toronto we all fell in love with, the one we poured our time into day in and day out, had changed in an instant and we were all left wondering when we were going to get it back.

Well, that day has come and all of us feel a sense of relief. The comeback of Toronto may still have a long way to go, but each day we feel it returning to what it’s meant to be: one of the greatest cities on earth. Our streets are no longer ghost towns at night, our bars are filled with chatter and laughter once again, and the city as a whole has that infectious energy that we all just want to be around. Some Torontonians may have migrated to the suburbs for a period of time, but we’re seeing more and more people moving back to the city to be a part of its rebirth.

After being cooped up in our homes for as long as we have, we want to experience life again, like it was pre-pandemic. We want to socialize with friends, attend concerts or sporting events, eat good food in an atmosphere other than our family room or kitchen — we’re eager to make up for lost time. Now that some sort of normalcy has returned to our lives, employers are calling their workforce back to the office too. In person meetings are resuming, team socials are being organized, and office spaces are being redesigned to accommodate for those who’re returning. Whereas before people could live further away from work because they weren’t going into the office as frequently or at all, people want to be closer to their company’s offices again to avoid long commutes.

All in all, the advantages of living in Toronto have returned to what they once were — convenience to some of Ontario’s top dining, retail and entertainment destinations; close proximity to some of the region’s top company headquarters; and an energetic atmosphere that’s not easily found elsewhere. Now you just have to ask yourself: are you ready to make the move?

Explore Empire’s communities in Toronto to find your dream home. It’s time to soak up everything this revitalized city has to offer.

A limited release of townhomes is now available at Empire Maven located on Avenue Road, and Toronto-based design firm Truong Ly Design just staged the first of three. Naturally, we asked their design team seven questions about this exclusive home, and we couldn’t resist sharing their answers with you. In this exclusive one-on-one interview, they discuss their inspiration for The Leland and what the design process entailed, highlighting everything from conception to decorating IRL.

The Leland
2 Beds | 2.5 Baths | 2,388 sq.ft.

4. Talk us through the design process from concepts to staging and completion.

“At the start of the design process, we took time to understand our demographic and the overall end-user experience. We wanted to use a design style that was universally accepted, and of course one that was beautiful and elevated. Once we established the target audience in addition to their wants and needs, we ultimately chose a contemporary design style and a neutral palette. The staging process is what really brought the design intent together. After the main furniture pieces were installed, the finishing touches were implemented by accessorizing. Every detail we incorporated has form and function which makes the space feel lifestyle-oriented and welcoming like a home should.”

5. In your opinion, what stands out to you about this floor plan? What makes it different than the other townhomes you’ve seen?

“Over the past few years, open-concept design has been every designer’s layout preference. Now, we find that homeowners appreciate having separate spaces for separate uses. This is a major lifestyle change that’s the result of people spending more time at home, especially during the pandemic.”

“When you enter The Leland, you’re greeted by a spacious foyer that leads you to the living and dining space that’s perfect for entertaining guests or spending time with loved ones. As you walk down the hallway, you land upon the kitchen which features a round breakfast table and servery — detached from the formal dining and living area. With this layout, homeowners gain a more intimate and everyday-use kitchen space. Up the stairway, the master suite has a queen bed and a beautiful balcony with a view of the street. The room also boasts a luxurious ensuite with a double vanity, and two walk-in-closets. The secondary bedroom is the perfect addition for guests or family members who’re planning an extended stay, with a private bathroom and balcony at their disposal. Overall, it’s a very functional space.”

6. What materials, textures and colours did you use? How did they align with the overall look and feel of the suite?

“The townhome has white walls, light hardwood flooring, grey millwork, and stone finishes in the kitchen and bath. When it came to furnishing the home, we loved having a blank canvas to work with. Our goal was to create an inviting feeling through the material and texture of furniture and accessories. A mix of light neutrals — beige, cream and white — was used in various textures to brighten the space, and impart a feeling of openness while bringing in warmth. To ground the interior and add contrast, we incorporated pops of black through smaller furniture pieces. Colour was implemented through the art and decor selected to add more visual interest to the space.”

7. How can homeowners recreate this look in their home? List a few staple pieces they’d need.

“To recreate the look of this home’s main living spaces, incorporate a range of furniture and accessories in a neutral colour scheme, and add bold, black accents for contrast and balance. Select abstract artwork and lighting to help to achieve the home’s mid-century modern vibe. Plants such as trees, branches and florals will add life to the space, while mirrors can help create the illusion of a larger interior. When it comes to the upstairs bedrooms, the colour palette is more playful, meaning that it’s the perfect place to infuse your personality into the design. Choose an accent colour, and create harmony by opting for neutrals throughout the rest of the space.”

Interested in Maven’s limited release of townhomes? Learn more about these exclusive housing opportunities now, starting from the high $2 millions. Don’t forget to tour the townhomes at our open house each weekend at 412, 414 and 416 Brookdale Avenue. Please note: Limited parking is available at the back of the Maven presentation centre, located at 1666 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON. Additional parking is available along Avenue Road.

One of the perks of city living is the ability to walk to all the best spots — and that couldn’t be more true with a home at Empire Maven. Everything you need is just steps from your front door, allowing you to travel around with ease, and with the nearest subway station just an 11-minute bus ride away, you’ll be able to easily reach your destination of choice. So whether you’re new to the neighbourhood or an Avenue and Lawrence native looking to discover something new, we’ve got you covered. Explore these 10 places that are a short 10-minute walk, or less, from Empire Maven.   

While we’re on the topic of all things local, explore even more hot spots around Empire Maven we think you’ll absolutely love. 

Images courtesy of: Retail Insider (Maker Pizza); Mosaic Outfitters (Mosaic Outfitters); Uber Eats (La Bamboche); Canada247 (Dana Jordan); Streets of Toronto (Dave’s Genuine Deli); Skip the Dishes (Lee’s Dumpling House); Canada247 (Brookdale Park).

Located on a private cul-de-sac in the coveted Avenue and Lawrence neighbourhood, Empire Maven’s two-storey townhomes include a terrace, a rear courtyard and access to Maven’s amenities. This limited collection of townhomes was designed for those who value privacy and space but enjoy the benefits of living in a boutique residence. Scroll to learn more about some of the units’ upgraded features and finishes, and to marvel at the beautifully-staged interiors of each home.

Upgraded Features and Finishes

• Hardwood flooring
• Pot lights on main floor
• Caesarstone countertops
• Custom cabinetry
• Upgraded backsplashes
• High-end appliances
• Ample storage
• Hardwood staircase with wrought-iron pickets
• Framed glass showers

The Leland

2 Beds | 2 Baths | 2,388 sq.ft.

The first of Maven’s luxury townhomes has an open-concept floor plan, particularly noticeable on the home’s first floor. As soon as you enter the door, you’re welcomed by a large living room with a dedicated area to host intimate dinner parties at home. Make your way to the beautifully-designed kitchen where you will find a spacious breakfast nook which has a stylish island for all your cooking and entertaining needs. While the home has two outdoor spaces on each floor, the private rear patio on the primary level is a coveted feature. On the second level, the primary bedroom has a terrace where you can wake up to the morning breeze or fall asleep to the sunset, with two walk-in-closets and a spa-like ensuite. A spacious laundry room is just outside the room with a linen closet across the hallway leading to the second bedroom — equipped with a terrace and ensuite of its own.

The Prescott – SOLD

2 Beds + Den | 2.5 Baths | 2,257 sq.ft.

Come home to an L-shaped patio situated at the front of Maven’s second townhome. Once you enter the front door, a spacious foyer guides you throughout the home, with a den situated beside the front window. At the other end of the home, the kitchen features an island, a breakfast area and a pantry for your storage needs. Enjoy the rear patio with enough space for entertaining with outdoor furniture and a barbecue. One of the most unique features of the home is its elevator which brings you up to the home’s second floor with ease. On this floor, there’s two oversized walk-in-closets — perfect for him and her — with a balcony located on the corner of the home. Not only does this room have a double-sink vanity in its ensuite, but it also has a dedicated seating area. The second floor also features a secondary bedroom, boasting an ensuite, walk-in-closet and large windows.

The Thaddeus

2 Beds + Study | 2.5 Baths | 2,360 sq.ft.

Similar to Maven’s two other townhomes, the Thaddeus has a large entry patio. In this floor plan, the living room is closest to the kitchen, making it seamless to entertain. A large breakfast area and dining room is located at the opposite end of the home, just in front of the private rear patio so you can enjoy outdoor views all day long. Just like the Prescott, this home also has an elevator to arrive to its second floor which is where the bedrooms, laundry room and study are located. Each bedroom has its own terrace — an enviable part of the home — as well as a walk-in-closet and ensuite. The study and laundry room separates each room, and is located on the second floor for ultimate privacy and convenience.

Interested in our limited release of townhomes, starting from the high $2 millions? Get in touch with one of our New Home Specialists to begin your homebuying journey, or tour the townhomes at our open house each weekend at 412, 414 and 416 Brookdale Avenue. Please note: Limited parking is available at the back of the Maven presentation centre, located at 1666 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON. Additional parking is available along Avenue Road.

You don’t have to travel far to immerse yourself in nature, especially when you have some of Ontario’s most beautiful waterways in your backyard. Whether you’re native to Ontario or just visiting, there’s a variety to do across each of its regions. Now that summer is in full swing, we’re sharing some of our favourite things to do along Southwestern Ontario’s most popular bodies of water. Pull out your note paper and pen, and jot down some of these bucket-list worthy activities.

Looking for other ways to spend your time outdoors this summer? Check out the best parks in Toronto and the top 5 trails to visit in Caledonia.

Images courtesy of: City of Welland (Welland Light Display); Welland International Flatwater Centre (WIFC); Wellington Advertiser (Elora Gorge); View the VIBE (Music Garden); Elevation Map Logs (Point Abino).

When it comes to everyone’s favourite morning staple, a hot cup of coffee, sometimes making it yourself just doesn’t cut it. Luckily, living in the GTA means you’re always steps away from the region’s best brew offerings. From local shops to hole-in-the-wall cafes, there’s never a shortage of new spots to explore. To satisfy your coffee craving, explore a few of these GTA coffee shops, before you embark on your morning commute.

Coffee shops are a staple in any community, and you often can’t go more than a couple steps before passing one by. If you’d like to learn even more ways to support and shop local, explore our guide for a few ideas. 

Images courtesy of: Chad Roberts Design (Balzac’s Coffee); Yelp (Pilot Coffee Roasters); Terroni (Sud Forno); Dineen Coffee (Dineen Coffee); BlogTO (Cocoon Coffee).