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In an over-saturated housing market where square footage comes at a premium, the biggest luxury on offer is space. Zinc Developments’ latest project, The Webley in Yorkville, is capitalizing on that fact by giving each of its nine suites an entire floor of the building.

“A lot of people today don’t want to be 40 storeys up,” says Ken Zuckerman, president of Zinc Developments. “When you think about it, you are buying a home, not a condo in the sky. So we offer that intimacy of product and space.”

Zuckerman, who also helmed the development of the luxury condo 36 Hazelton, says that despite the number of ongoing condo projects in the city, there is a shortage of buildings that offer generous floor plans. “There’s definitely a need for larger units, especially when people are coming from a house and may not be ready to downsize,” says Zuckerman.

“Also, there’s a growing desire for people to move into condos with a smaller number of units overall,” says Zuckerman. “At this building you’ll have just eight other neighbours, so not only are you getting a community feel, but the concierge will get to know and anticipate everyone’s needs.”

Designed by Cumulus Architects Inc., Zuckerman says the building takes its inspiration from the work of British-based architect David Chipperfield, especially in terms of its simple lines and symmetrical nature. “We really wanted to keep the building in context with the neighbourhood,” he says. “It has that understated elegance for someone who might want to stay under the radar.” Located at 121 Avenue Road and Webster Avenue, the building expands the concept of a simple, mathematical grid into a 3-D structure.

“To me, the architecture has a simplicity to it – it’s that extension of the modern European building,” says Sheldon Catarino, principal and director at Cumulus Architects Inc. “You are working within a very tight, urban space. But what really makes this building stand out is the refined details at every stage.” That includes the Danish handmade bricks used in the exterior façade rather than the typical precast brick you might see glued onto concrete panels on other condo structures.

“Scale is the theme here,” says Catarino, who notes the suites are specially designed for entertaining large groups. “You’ve got this huge living room and dining room that can easily seat a group of 12, which then opens to an enormous terrace.”

All suites, designed by Audax, feature terraces with a minimum dimension of 10×20 feet and give homeowners the option of including trees on them, depending on weight at full-growth. Residents will also have access to Juliette balconies. “The layout of the kitchen – and dining areas – really has the spaciousness and scale that you might see in something like a large Rosedale home,” says Catarino.

The penthouse suite is next level, literally: The two-level, $14 million spread includes a bar and dining space overlooking the pool, an expansive outdoor kitchen, an eating area, a lounge and a workout room. These amenities are situated on the rooftop of the property, which the penthouse owner has exclusive access to.

The focus on entertaining carries into the Downsview custom kitchens, which have storage pantries, a six-burner stovetop, double ovens and an artisan marble island with hand-carved fluting. Ten-foot ceilings and Dornbracht fixtures elevate the glam factor. All suites also include gas fireplaces, barbecue hook-ups and an elevator that opens onto the unit.

This expansiveness spills out into a large living area with gas fireplace. “It has a grand feeling to it,” he says. “You could easily entertain 30 to 40 people there.” However, there is also a separate family room space that Catarino says is less formal. “It’s a place you might imagine a family watching TV, whereas the proper living room would be for entertaining guests.”

On the ground floor, a 24-hour concierge team works to keep life running smoothly for the nine condo owners. And office space, constructed just off the elevator, offer privacy: “Since COVID, many people who work from home conduct business in their actual residence,” says Catarino. “But this separate office, with a proper desk and meeting area, doesn’t require that colleagues enter your actual living space.” All the offices have south-facing views of the city down University Avenue.

Units start at $8.5 million for 3,000 square feet. For more information, visit http://thewebley.com

Taste-test a few of the dozens of varieties of olive oil at Eataly’s Italian grocery or enjoy an aperitivo in one of its restaurants or bars. Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor St. W.

For reinvented Italian food with food presentation on point with Bobbie Flay, check out Blu Ristorante, two minutes south. The tomato-braised beef cheek ragu is drizzled on gnocchi made from sweet potato and ricotta ($29). 90 Avenue Rd.

Just across from the Royal Ontario Museum, the Gardiner Museum features contemporary and antique ceramics from around the globe. It also holds classes and lectures and has a gift shop featuring handmade vases. 111 Queens Park

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