Ridley Boulevard II, 268 Ridley Blvd: The Taller Twin With Bigger Suites

Ridley Boulevard II is the taller twin on Ridley Boulevard, and it is the one I check first when a buyer needs either a smaller entry suite or a really large one. Completed in 1990 near Avenue Road and Wilson, it has 146 suites from about 770 to 1,825 square feet and a fee that covers heat, hydro, cooling and parking. Supply is thin, so the right suite needs patience. I’m Jatin Dua, RE/MAX Quantum Realty.

The second Ridley tower, and how it differs

Ridley Boulevard II registered as MTCC-916 in September 1990, about 16 months after Ridley Boulevard I across the street. It is the bigger of the two, at 18 storeys and 146 suites against 15 storeys and 108 suites.

The important difference is the range of suite sizes. Ridley I tops out around 1,216 square feet; Ridley II runs from about 767 up to roughly 1,825. So this is the building for both the buyer who needs a smaller first step into the neighbourhood and the downsizer who will not give up a big dining room.

Both towers share a manager, Del Property Management, and a near-identical amenity list. They are separate corporations, though, with separate budgets and reserve funds, so compare them line by line. I could not confirm who built Ridley II; ask for the original disclosure if it matters.

Layouts at both ends of the scale

The smaller plans, under 800 square feet, behave like a generous one-bedroom-plus-den. The largest, at 1,800-plus, are effectively bungalow-sized homes in the sky, typically with multiple bathrooms and a separate dining room.

As with any 1990 building, condition is the variable. Some suites have been fully renovated and others are original. Price the renovation into any offer, and check the building’s rules on renovation work and noise before you plan one.

Because the suite sizes vary so much, start by being clear about which part of the building you are shopping in. The smaller plans compete with one-bedroom-plus-den condos across midtown-north, while the largest suites compete with townhouses and even small houses in the area.

Next, think about exposure and floor. In an 18-storey tower surrounded mostly by houses, upper suites get open views over the low-rise neighbourhood. Lower suites are quieter and often a little cheaper per square foot, which suits buyers who care more about space than the view.

Finally, look at condition. A fully original large suite can need a serious renovation budget, and in an older building that also means working within the corporation’s rules for contractors and elevator use. Factor time and cost into your offer, not just the purchase price.

Fees that include the utilities

The fee covers heat, hydro, air conditioning, water, building insurance, parking and common elements. Your monthly cost stays stable through the seasons, which owners on fixed incomes value.

Because the building pays the utility bills for everyone, energy prices feed straight into the budget. Ask for recent budgets and fee history, and see how the reserve fund contribution compares with the utility lines.

Parking is part of the fee here, which is a quiet advantage in an older building. You are not paying a separate monthly charge for the space, and the cost of maintaining the garage is already built into the budget you are reviewing.

What you do need to confirm is exactly what comes with the suite you are buying: how many spaces, whether they are owned units or exclusive-use common elements, where they sit in the garage, and whether a locker is included. Those details sit in the status certificate and the declaration, and I check them on every offer.

Older garages are also where the big repair bills tend to hide. Concrete and waterproofing work is expensive and disruptive, so look in the reserve fund study for when the garage was last restored and what is planned next. If the answer is vague, ask the manager before you firm up.

Living in Armour Heights

Ridley Boulevard runs through Armour Heights, a pocket of large detached homes near Avenue Road and Wilson Avenue. The towers are one of the few condo options in a neighbourhood that is otherwise almost all houses, which is exactly why buyers who grew up nearby look here.

Avenue Road gives you a direct drive downtown, and its ramp onto Highway 401 is close, which makes this one of the better spots in midtown-north for anyone commuting by car in both directions. Earl Bales Park, with its ski hill and trails, sits to the northwest.

Shops, cafes and services are along Avenue Road and Wilson. The automatic panel on this page covers transit, schools, parks and nearby food.

Price per square foot here

The building average sits around $628 per square foot, higher than the roughly $542 at Ridley I. The much larger suites at the top of the range likely account for part of that gap.

There is one suite listed for sale right now and none for rent, which is typical. With so few listings, comparables are thin, so I usually price suites here against both Ridley towers and the building at 265 Ridley.

Property tax is separate from the fee, so add it to your monthly budget. Ask for the current tax bill along with the status certificate and the latest budget before you firm up.

Use the 12-month sales data on this page for what has actually traded. If you want to hear about suites as they come up, book a call.

Building specifications

Amenities at Ridley Boulevard II

An outdoor pool, gym, sauna and meeting room, with a security guard, give owners the essentials without a long list of rarely used rooms. It is a sensible package for a 146-suite building.

Jatin’s honest take on Ridley Boulevard II

Ridley Boulevard II — frequently asked questions

Looking at York Mills, Don Mills, Lawrence Park, Bathurst Manor and midtown-north Toronto more broadly? Start with my Toronto community guide — the neighbourhoods, what each pocket is like, and how they compare.