The Fountains of Edenbridge, 38 Fontenay Crt: Hydro In the Fee, Pool Too

The Fountains of Edenbridge is the building I point to when a buyer tells me they want one predictable monthly number. It is a 17-storey, 153-suite tower from 2005 on a quiet court off Scarlett Road, and its fee covers hydro along with heat, air conditioning, water and parking. That is rare, and it changes how you should compare it. I’m Jatin Dua, RE/MAX Quantum Realty.

Hydro is in the fee, and that changes the comparison

Most condos in Toronto now meter hydro by suite, and many newer buildings also bill heating and cooling separately. At The Fountains of Edenbridge, Condos.ca lists hydro in the fee along with heat, air conditioning, water, parking, common elements and insurance. Your main extras are internet, cable and your own insurance.

That makes the monthly fee look high next to a newer building, and it is easy to dismiss the building for that reason. Do the arithmetic first. Add a realistic hydro bill, a heating and cooling bill and a parking charge to the other building’s fee, and the gap can narrow sharply.

The flip side is that you share the building’s energy costs with every other owner. If rates rise or a neighbour runs space heaters all winter, everyone pays. Ask the manager how utility costs have moved in recent budgets, and whether the board has looked at sub-metering, which would change what you are buying.

If you work from home, run a dehumidifier or charge an electric car, an all-inclusive fee is a quiet advantage, because heavy users do not pay more than light ones. If you travel half the year, the opposite is true, and you are helping cover your neighbours’ bills. Think about which kind of owner you are before you treat the fee as a plus or a minus.

A full amenity package for a mid-size tower

For a 153-suite building, the amenities are generous. Rental listings for the building describe a swimming pool, sauna and exercise room, and Condos.ca lists a concierge, guest suites, a party room and a meeting room.

A pool in a building this size is a real feature and a real cost. Fewer owners share the bill for running and eventually renovating it than in a 400-suite tower. Ask when the pool, change rooms and gym were last updated, and look for them in the reserve fund study.

Guest suites are useful in a building that attracts downsizers and families, because they let visiting relatives stay without crowding a one- or two-bedroom suite.

Suites from 581 to 1,675 sq ft

Condos.ca lists suites from about 581 sq ft to about 1,675 sq ft; one rental listing gives a slightly different range of about 578 to 1,664 sq ft. Either way, there is real choice, from one-bedrooms and one-plus-dens at the small end to large two-bedroom-plus plans at the top.

The larger plans are the reason this building interests move-down buyers. Plans of 1,200 sq ft and up, with heat and hydro covered, are a comfortable step down from a house for someone who wants space and a simple budget.

Ask which suites have a parking space and a locker. Parking is in the fee inclusions, but you need to confirm the suite has a space, how many, and whether it is owned or exclusive-use.

In a 2005 tower, the original kitchens and bathrooms are now about 20 years old, and many suites will have been updated at least once. Price the suite on its condition, not just its size. A suite with original finishes can be a good buy if the price reflects the work, but get a contractor’s estimate before you count on it.

Fontenay Court and the Scarlett Road corridor

Fontenay Court is a short street off Scarlett Road, which keeps through traffic away from the front door. The building shares the court with Perspective Condominiums at 25 and 35 Fontenay Court, so this is a small cluster of towers rather than a single building standing alone.

The setting is green and residential, with houses and low-rise streets around the towers rather than a commercial strip. It is a car-friendly location, and the data panel covers transit, schools and walkability, which are the questions most buyers ask next.

There are no suites for sale at the moment and only two for rent, which suggests owners tend to stay. Be ready to move quickly when the right plan comes up.

Because Perspective sits on the same court, you can compare two buildings in one afternoon. Check how their fee inclusions, amenities and recent sales differ, and use that comparison to judge whether the Fountains’ inclusive fee is earning its keep.

Price per square foot and what the fee covers

Condos.ca puts the building average at about $597 per square foot, which is low for Etobicoke and reflects the building’s age and its suburban setting. For a tower with a pool and an all-inclusive fee, that is a low entry point.

That price has to be read alongside the fee. Because hydro, heat, cooling, water and parking are all inside it, a fee here replaces several bills you would pay elsewhere. Compare total monthly housing costs, not the fee alone. When a lender or a buyer later looks at the fee in isolation, it can look expensive, so keep a note of your actual utility savings for when you sell.

With nothing listed for sale right now, I will not guess at current asking prices. My building sold report will show what has actually closed here, and I would look at sales in the Perspective buildings on the same court as well.

Building specifications

Amenities at The Fountains of Edenbridge

A pool, sauna and gym in a mid-size building mean you can keep a fitness routine without a membership, and the guest suites help when family visits. Together with the all-inclusive fee, the package is aimed at people who want to stay put and keep life simple.

Jatin’s honest take on The Fountains of Edenbridge

The Fountains of Edenbridge — frequently asked questions

Looking at Humber Bay Shores, Mimico, the Queensway and central Etobicoke more broadly? Start with my Toronto community guide — the neighbourhoods, what each pocket is like, and how they compare.