by Christina Mogk, MeCC Interiors
Tall condominiums on the horizon are not a new site. In Toronto, they are everywhere. In fact, Toronto has more high-rise buildings under construction than any other city in North America – more than 2,000% more than the average number of buildings under construction in Chicago, Miami, Calgary, Vancouver, Mississauga, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, L.A., and San Francisco.
In Toronto, complaints and lawsuits have begun, though there are no definitive conclusions as yet. The cost of re-skinning a residential tower could cost between $5-10 million, according to Halsall Associates, a local-based engineering firm. ”But that is the actual removal and replacement only – there is nothing in there related to additional security costs or relocation costs for residents,” says structural engineer Sally Thompson.
What does this mean? In part, it’s a bit of buyer beware. Be sure to ask questions about the windows and the long-terms plans for replacement if you’re planning on buying a condo.