Infinity 2, 51 Lower Simcoe St: The Smaller Tower in a South Core Complex

Nobody buys Infinity 2 for its looks. The Star’s condo critic dismissed the Infinity complex as dull when it went up, and I don’t think he was wrong. What you get instead is a 16-storey building in a block that puts you between the financial district, the arenas and the lake, with parking in the fee and a smaller resident population than the towers around it. For the right buyer, that is a better trade than it sounds. I’m Jatin Dua, RE/MAX Quantum Realty.

Four phases, and where this one fits

Infinity is a four-phase complex by the Conservatory Group. The first two phases sit on the south side of Bremner Boulevard between Grand Trunk Crescent and Lower Simcoe Street: Infinity 1 is the taller tower at 30 Grand Trunk Crescent, about 35 storeys, and Infinity 2 is the 16-storey building facing Lower Simcoe. Infinity 3 and Infinity IV came later, and they share their own podium, parking and amenities.

All of them were designed by E.I. Richmond Architects. The cladding is pre-cast concrete, glass and brown metal, and when the first two phases were finished, Christopher Hume called the project dull and predictable. One UrbanToronto poster went further and named Phase 2 the worst new condo of 2007.

I mention that because buyers should go in with clear eyes. This is a functional building, not a design statement, and resale buyers know it. The value case rests on location, size and costs, not curb appeal.

The phases also matter when you read the paperwork. When several buildings are built as one complex, there are often agreements covering shared driveways, garage ramps, loading and services. Those agreements decide who pays for what, and they are worth understanding before you commit.

Why the shorter building can be the better one

At 16 storeys and 244 suites, Infinity 2 is a much smaller community than the 35-storey tower next door or the much taller towers that now fill the South Core. Fewer suites usually means fewer people waiting for the elevator, a lobby where the concierge actually knows residents, and a board where an engaged owner can make a difference.

The trade-off is views. In a 16-storey building surrounded by much taller towers, most suites look at other buildings. If a lake or skyline view matters to you, check what is actually outside the window, and check what could still be built.

The site plan freed the Bremner frontage for retail and public uses, which gives you shops and services at the base of the complex rather than a blank wall.

Suites and layouts

Suites run from about 526 to 918 sq ft: one-bedrooms, one-plus-dens and two-bedrooms. There is nothing here for a family that needs three bedrooms, and the largest suites are modest two-bedrooms by current standards.

These sizes are older-generation, which works in your favour. Many 2008 one-bedrooms are noticeably larger than what developers sell in new South Core towers today, so a 600 to 700 sq ft suite here can feel generous next to a new-build one-bedroom.

Ask for the floor plan and walk it. In a building of this era, the difference between a good plan and an awkward one is often the den: some are real rooms, some are corridors with a closet.

Living in the South Core

The daily reality is convenience. You are in the block south of the rail corridor, with the financial district, Union Station, Scotiabank Arena, the Rogers Centre and the waterfront all within the walking range most downtown buyers want. For someone who works downtown and does not want to own a car, this is about as practical as it gets.

It also helps that the area keeps getting built out. The South Core has filled in with office towers, new condos and retail since Infinity 2 opened, which has made the block far more of a neighbourhood than it was in 2008. For an owner who bought early, that has been the main driver of value; for a buyer today, it means the amenities around you are already in place.

The flip side is event-night crowds and traffic on Bremner, Lower Simcoe and the Lake Shore. If you are sensitive to noise, ask which way the suite faces. Transit, schools and Walk Score details are in the data panel on this page.

What Infinity 2 costs

The building average is around $923 per square foot, higher than Neo CityPlace on Spadina at about $878 and well above the towers at Bathurst and Fleet, such as Panorama at about $792. That premium is the South Core address and its walk to the core, not the building.

There is only one suite for sale and none for rent at the moment, so I will not quote an asking range from a single listing. That thin supply cuts both ways: buyers have little to choose from, and sellers have few direct comparables. Use the 12-month sales data in the panel, and compare against Infinity 1 next door for a larger sample.

The fee includes parking along with heat, air conditioning, water and insurance. That is uncommon downtown, where a parking spot often adds a separate monthly charge, and it makes the fee look higher on paper than it is in practice. Confirm whether your suite actually comes with a spot and a locker, and ask whether suites without parking pay a lower fee.

Building specifications

Amenities at Infinity 2

The amenity list is modest: concierge, rooftop deck, party and meeting rooms, guest suites and visitor parking. Ask whether Infinity 2 shares any facilities with Infinity 1 and how those costs are split, since that is not clear from listing data.

Jatin’s honest take on Infinity 2

Infinity 2 — frequently asked questions

Looking at King West, Liberty Village and CityPlace more broadly? Start with my Toronto community guide — the neighbourhoods, what each pocket is like, and how they compare.