(Gracefully copied from NewHomesandCondo.com) In a boldly dramatic move, Concord CityPlace has unveiled Parade – a new condominium complex that is designed to seamlessly blend the project’s stunning eight-acre park with interior living spaces.
“It takes as its starting point those wonderful New York buildings that ring Central Park, and then moves design up a notch,” says Alan Vihant, Vice-President of Development at Concord Adex Developments. “After all, we are creating the largest, privately funded city park in recent history. We wanted residents living on its perimeter to be able to take maximum enjoyment from it.”
As designed by world-renowned architects, Kohn, Pedderson, Fox (KFP) of New York and London, the six structures that make up Parade will be at the north end of the park, which runs north from Bremner Avenue. Leading up to them, acting as a design overture, will be a lushly landscaped pathway of natural stone, flanked by splendid, mature trees.
KPF is recognized internationally for exceptional design, and currently has two buildings under construction in China. The World Financial Centre in Shanghai will be a 101-storey mixed-use building that will be taller than the CN Tower in Toronto. Facing downtown Hong Kong across Victoria Harbour, The International Commerce Centre in Kowloon when completed in 2008, will encompass 2.7 million sq. ft. of office space in 118 stories, making it one of the tallest structures in the world.
 The suites at Parade will reflect the seamless bonding of outdoor and indoor space with features such as walls of natural wood in the kitchens, appliances which are artfully positioned so that they seem to disappear into the walls, and floors and counter tops of all-natural materials.
“The idea is to not just see the glories of the park, but to live surrounded by them,” says Vihant. “Parade suggests the coming together of a ‘Parade of Talents’ in a place where people can experience a true celebration of life.”
The eight-acre park is a tribute to the insight of author and artist Douglas Coupland, inspired design by Greg Smallenberg of Philips, Farvaag Smallenberg, and the taste and judgment of Corporate Art Consultant Karen Mills.
The overall theme of the park will be the creation of what Coupland calls “A Library of Canada.” The finished park will use not just art works and other added features, but also the topography itself to capture a sense of the country and its spirit, says Mills.
“We will, for example, use earth excavated from CityPlace building sites to create a natural bluff and other features,” she says. “The topography will become a statement about the place, the times and the history this site has seen.”
Its proximity to Fort York and the Fort’s role in Canadian history is only part of the tale the new park will tell.
“The idea is to wrap the men, women and children who will use the park regularly – or even occasionally – in a living testament to the country, the city and the region,” says Vihant. “Its features will involve them not just on a physical level, but on an intellectual and emotional level as well.”
The park will also be home to the Terry Fox Miracle Mile, a running/jogging/walking path dedicated to the memory of a Canadian hero, the teenaged Terry Fox, who captured the hearts of the nation with his brave cross-Canada run to raise funds for cancer research in 1981.
Divided into quadrants, each separate area – leisure, sports, recreation and play – will be devoted to specific uses and interests appealing to all age groups. The leisure area, for example, will be able to handle large group gatherings and provide space for socializing and relaxing, water play, jogging or taking the dog for a walk. The sports area will offer venues for team and individual sports, such as Frisbee and kite flying, and have a market where vendors will showcase their wares. The recreation area will host community events and feature a proposed open-air ice skating rink in winter and volleyball in summer.
The fourth quadrant, designated for play, will have space for cycling enthusiasts, skateboarding, rollerblading and circuit training. A multi-use sports court will also be part of this area in addition to a skipping and hopscotch section for children.
“The park will be the living heart of Concord CityPlace,” says Vihant, “and Parade will bring all that vitality and natural beauty right into residents’ homes.”
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