180 University Ave

The mountain paradise of Shangri-La may be a work of fiction, but this desirable condo building is anything but — stretching to 66 storeys of steel and glass at 180 University Avenue, this property takes James Hilton’s vision and makes it real… in a condo building.

If you recognized the name as that of a well known Toronto hotel — they are one of the same, as this property doubles as a condo residence and a hotel. The first 17 floors are comprised of hotel suites, while those above belong to the condo residence; the most exclusive suites, can be found above the 50th floor.

Because this property is also a hotel, amenities are far more extensive than what you’d find in the average condo residence: Indoor pool, sauna, business centre, media room, party room, concierge, security guard, parking garage, and visitor parking. Maintenance fees are on the high side, but if that’s a concern, you’d be wise to look elsewhere.

There is one major drawback to this building and it could be a deal breaker for some — Shangri-La is one of the most expensive condo residences in the city, and the price per square foot is quite high, so you’re going to have to reach deep into your pockets if you're eyeing Queen West condos for sale in this building.

Good news for prospective buyers — Shangri-La houses almost 400 luxury condos, all of which have spacious floor plans; suite sizes range start 679 square feet for a 1 bedroom, which could easily be a 2 bedroom unit in other modern high-rises, and suites can be as large as 4430 for a sprawling penthouse unit.

Suites in this building take a ‘spare no expense’ approach to finishes, offering executively styled suites with wide open floor plans. Interested buyers can expect rich hardwood floors, walk-in closets, European kitchens with stainless steel appliances, marble walls in bathrooms, automated blinds, and some suites have fireplaces.

All units have private balconies, and those with suites above the 50th floor have some of the best views in the city. For those who are keen on a penthouse, you can expect multi-floor layouts with soaring mezzanine areas and panoramic views.

180 University Ave is nestled in downtown Toronto — as urban as urban gets, this incredible area places residents in the heart of the action, with Toronto’s biggest and best attractions just next door. This is an amazing neighbourhood for residents who don’t own a vehicle, because not only are there restaurants, pubs, and retail options in every direction, but there’s also 24/7 public transit to carry you anywhere you want to go.

Toronto is renowned for its dining experience and it seems only fitting that residents of Shangri-La have some tantalizing restaurants around the corner — there’s Fune for upscale Japanese, Michael's On Simcoe for a picture perfect steak paired with an amazing wine, Pizzeria Libretto for wood-fired pizza, Drake One Fifty where the setting is as good as the food, and Marcello's Market and Deli for buffet; all of these restaurants are less than 3 blocks from the building, and there are hundreds more nearby.

Entertainment options are plentiful, and there’s something for any taste; sports fans can walk to the Rogers Centre for the Jays or Scotiabank Arena for the Leafs and Raptors, concert goers have bars for local talent and large venues like the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts and Roy Thomson Hall for larger acts. There are also touristy attractions like the CN Tower, TIFF, The Hockey Hall of Fame, and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada.

Nightlife options are vast in this neighbourhood, from cozy hangouts with extensive beer menus like The Town Crier, to lively rooftop hangouts such as The Porch. Residents who crave a bustling dance floor have Cake Bar & Nightclub, Fiction, Stadium Nightclub, and more. Plus, countless microbreweries like 3 Brewers Adelaide.

180 University Ave Flexes its way to a flawless 100 Walk Score — as resident of this building you can get everything done with just two feet and a heartbeat, no matter what you have on the agenda. Grocery shopping can be accomplished effortlessly, as there’s a Rabba Fine Foods less than a 2 minute walk from the front door.

With so much urban convenience, you could forgive the Shangri-La for not having green spaces nearby… except that it does, because David Pecaut Square is just a short walk away. For residents who need a little more nature in their lives, you can make your way south for lakeside parks and the Waterfront Recreational Trail.

When not walking, public transit will likely be your preferred method of travel — there are at least 7 bus routes with stops outside of 180 University Ave, north and southbound buses on University, and east and westbound streetcars on King. And if you need subway lines, St Andrew Station is just a few blocks south.

There’s no way to claim a driver friendly environment — if your teeth aren’t gritted in this area of town then you must be a master of breathing exercises. Nonetheless, car owners can reach the nearest highway somewhat quickly by heading south on University to York Street for the Gardiner Expressway…expect traffic, lots and lots of traffic.