Chartwell Place II, 2628 McCowan Rd: Concierge, Pool and Fees All In

Chartwell Place Phase II is the building I point to when a buyer in Agincourt North wants a pool, a concierge and a small building at the same time. It is a 10-storey, 129-suite condominium from 1998 near McCowan and Finch, and its fee covers heat, hydro, air conditioning and parking. That makes the fee look high, which is not the whole story. I’m Jatin Dua, RE/MAX Quantum Realty.

The quieter second phase

Chartwell Place was built in two phases. Phase I is the taller tower at 5001 Finch Avenue East, with suite numbers in the 1500s and a sub-penthouse level, while Phase II at 2628 McCowan is a 10-storey building of 129 suites. They are separate corporations, so check that the suite you are buying is in MTCC-1179.

A building of 129 suites over 10 floors means few neighbours per floor and short waits for the elevator. Having a concierge and an indoor pool in a building this size is uncommon, and it is the main reason buyers ask about it.

Condos.ca does not list a developer or architect, and I could not find one in a source I trust. If the builder matters to you, ask the seller or management for the original disclosure documents.

Large suites and a 1998 building

Suites run from about 679 to 1,587 sq ft. Even the smallest is larger than a typical new one-bedroom, and the top of the range is a genuine family-size suite. Older plans in this part of Scarborough usually include separate dining space and generous storage, which is what many of my end-user buyers want.

The building is 28 years old, so check what has been replaced. Original windows, elevators, the garage membrane and pool equipment are the big-ticket items in a building of this age. Read the reserve fund study and the last two years of board minutes, and ask the seller what has been updated inside the suite.

Because the suites are large, resale here leans toward end users rather than investors. Families and downsizers are a steady buyer pool in most markets, but they take their time and inspect closely, so expect condition and the reserve fund to matter a great deal when you sell.

What the fee covers

Condos.ca lists the fee as covering air conditioning, common elements, heat, hydro, building insurance, parking and water. In practice, internet, phone and contents insurance are the main bills left for you.

That makes the fee look high when you compare it with a building where hydro and heat are on your own meter. The fair test is the fee plus a year of the other building’s utilities. With heat and hydro included, your monthly cost also stays the same in January as in July.

Bulk utilities do carry shared risk: when energy costs rise, the corporation pays and fees follow. Ask how the utility lines in the budget have moved over the last few years, and whether the board has studied sub-metering.

Living near McCowan and Finch

This is an established residential part of Agincourt North, with plazas and everyday shopping close by. Most residents still drive for some trips, which is why the bundled parking matters. The panel on this page shows transit, walking and school details.

The change to watch is south on McCowan. Metrolinx is building a 7.8 km extension of Line 2 from Kennedy Station to a terminus at Sheppard Avenue and McCowan Road, which will bring subway service much closer to this corner of Scarborough once it opens. Expect construction and new development along the corridor in the meantime.

For drivers, Highway 401 and the larger malls of Agincourt and Markham are a reasonable trip, and the main grocery and plaza shopping at McCowan and Finch covers daily errands. Ask about visitor parking if you expect family to visit often, as smaller buildings tend to have limited spots.

What Chartwell Place Phase II costs

Condos.ca puts the building average at about $510 per square foot. For a building with a concierge, a pool and utilities in the fee, that is reasonable for Agincourt North, and it reflects the larger suite sizes, which always pull the per-square-foot figure down.

When I checked, one suite was listed for sale and none for lease. I do not quote single listings, so use the sold data in the panel on this page, or ask me for a building sold report.

When you assess the fee, divide it by the suite size and compare it with another building’s fee plus its hydro and heating costs. That is the only fair way to compare an all-inclusive building with one where you pay utilities yourself.

Also compare it with Phase I at 5001 Finch Avenue East. The two buildings share a name and a location, but they are separate corporations with their own budgets, reserve funds and fees, so a suite in one is not a direct comparable for the other without adjusting for those differences.

Building specifications

Amenities at Chartwell Place Phase II

A concierge, an indoor pool and a sauna in a 129-suite building gives you the services of a big tower with the quiet of a small one. The cost of running a pool is shared among relatively few owners, so look closely at what the reserve fund study says about it. A staffed concierge desk also helps with deliveries and visitors, which matters more than people expect once they move in.

Jatin’s honest take on Chartwell Place Phase II

Chartwell Place Phase II — frequently asked questions

Looking at Agincourt, L’Amoreaux, Milliken, Dorset Park and Wexford in Scarborough more broadly? Start with my Toronto community guide — the neighbourhoods, what each pocket is like, and how they compare.