What: A modern penthouse suite offering panoramic views from atop the MoZo condominium building, designed by award-winning architect Peter Clewes, and built in the popular King Street East design district in 2003.
Where: 333 Adelaide St. East, Suite 1410
Amenities: The 2,317-square-foot, two-storey suite has two bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom and both on the first level. The open-concept living, dining and family areas, adorned with maple hardwood floors, are upstairs, creating a pleasant separation between living and resting spaces.
Eleven-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows and an arched skylight ensure the open-concept space is naturally bright and airy, even on overcast days.
Custom window coverings can be drawn if some shade and privacy is preferred. The first-floor bedrooms also feature floor-to-ceiling windows.
A stunning 1,125-square-foot wraparound terrace, offering unobstructed views of the islands and city skyline, can be reached through five sliding glass doors.
The kitchen, adjacent to the open-concept space on the second level, is anchored by a centre island breakfast bar, three-quarter-inch granite countertops and a stainless-steel fridge.
Building facilities include exercise and recreation rooms and a 24-hour concierge.
Asking price: $1.25-million
Taxes: $8,577 (2005)
Agent: Re/Max Hallmark Realty Ltd. (Helga Teitsson)
The property: The owners, a couple who work in the financial district, took the MoZo motto of "modern living" to heart in customizing the suite to suit their own sense of style. (They were allowed to make some physical changes to their home because they bought directly from the developer in 2004.)
In the most sweeping renovation, they scrapped the original entranceway, its hardwood floors and the oak staircase in favour of more modern finishes. Now, guests walk on polished black slate floors and stairs, with railings of brushed steel glass.
An arched skylight directly above the staircase gives the black slate a bright sheen, drawing the eye away from the bedrooms. Complementing the skylight is an arched mirror above the landing.
The high upstairs walls, which are painted dark red, along with ubiquitous track lighting, provide a prominent venue for the couple's art collection, says one of the owners, who prefers to remain anonymous. "The wall space effectively provides a gallery-type feel to the place, and is big enough for large pieces to be displayed and appreciated from a distance."
And what's a gallery without gallery-goers? The separation of the bedrooms from the rest of the home maximizes the space for hosting parties.
"The suite is a perfect place to entertain friends and clients," the owner says, "not just because of the amazing terrace, but also the spectacular view of the city -- [which is]really special at night with everything lit up -- and the lake, as well as the really good flow of the rooms."
Hosting a gala is made all the easier by surround-sound wiring that allows for a different volume in each room.
Other party-friendly amenities include a gas hookup on the terrace for barbecuing, and a nook underneath the stairs that serves as a dark, cool wine-storage area.
When not entertaining, the couple enjoy the comfort of the master bedroom and its five-piece en suite bathroom, which includes a deep soaker tub, double-sink vanity and glass shower stall.
Also attached to the bedroom is an oversized walk-in closet, large enough for a treadmill and extra television. "It's often mistaken for a dressing room," Ms. Teitsson says.
The couple keeps a telescope close by their terrace window, but not for gazing at the stars. "[It's]great for looking at the boats and other activity around the islands," the owner says.
"We loved the architecture of the building itself," she adds. While it was constructed from the ground up, the exposed foundation columns in the suite give it the feel of a rezoned warehouse. The street-level floor is home to designer decor stores.