When you hear “Pantages” in Toronto, you probably think of the Pantages Theatre on Yonge Street across from Eaton Centre.

While the theatre was renamed Canon Theatre a few years back,  the name Pantages lives on around the corner at 210/220 Victoria Street…

Perhaps one of the most confusing condominium complexes in Toronto, to me at least, is Pantages Tower on Victoria Street.

There are two buildings, side by each, at 210 and 220 Victoria Street, which most people call “Pantages.”  But in actual fact, 210 Victoria Street is Pantages Tower Skyline & Hotel, and 220 Victoria Street is known as Opus.

Pantages Tower is a 45-storey masterpiece of modern architecture, with 416 condominium units and 111 exclusive hotel rooms.  Completed in 2003, it sits a stone’s throw from Eaton Centre, and Yonge-Dundas Square, which currently serves as the city centre.  Pantages may not be the most luxurious hotel in Toronto, but in terms of location, it simply can’t be beat if you’re a tourist wanting to see Toronto up close and personal.

Likewise, the condominium within Pantages is favored for its central locale, but also for its upscale feel and hotel-style.  Afterall, how many condominiums in Toronto have doormen out front, and a bar next to the oversized lobby?  If you want the illusion of luxury, and at an affordable price, Pantages is the condo for you!

Next door, at 220 Victoria, is Pantages’ little brother: Opus.  Completed in 2004, also by developer, Intracorp, Opus is 22-stories with 150 suites in total.  Unlike the sleek and original design of Pantages, Opus resembles many current Toronto condominiums such as 18 Yorkville.

Many condominium buyers look at 220 Victoria thinking they are getting Pantages, when in actual fact, they are not.  But I’m of the opinion that there really isn’t any drop-off in value with respect to Opus, and it might even be more affordable to some.

Unit #1301 at 220 Victoria Street is a 1-bedroom-plus-den, 2-bathroom unit of 785 square feet, priced at an even $330,000 (why not $329,900 like most condos?  I don’t know.  Ask the listing agent, I suppose…)

The unit faces northeast from the 13th floor, and thus has an exceptional view of Yonge Street looking north, and Yonge-Dundas Square itself.  I’m not a huge promoter of “views” with respect to condominiums, but if you’re going to live right-smack-dab in the city centre, you might as well see it from your window!

I never thought I’d use the words “high quality” in the same sentence as “laminate flooring,” but the dark flooring looks great considering it’s the only aspect of the unit that wasn’t upgraded.

The living space is true open-concept, with a large living room, dining room, and kitchen combination; and I don’t mean “dining room” in the sense that you stick a table right next to your couch—there’s actually an authentic dining area.

The master bedroom includes a 4-piece ensuite bathroom, and the guest bathroom is actually a 3-piece as it includes a shower.  Having a second bathroom is a HUGE plus these days, since most people living in $330K condos are young professionals, who entertain regularly.

The only aspect of this unit that I’m not going to rave about is the high maintenance fees: $574.57/month including ALL utilities.  It’s not ludicrous, but for 785 square feet in a 3 year old building, I’ve seen better.

For anybody that wants to live “where the action is,” the Opus-Pantages is as close as you can possibly get.

Yonge & Dundas is the heart of the city, and that simply never goes out of style.

And at $420 per square foot, how can you possibly go wrong?

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