The Skylofts, 1355-1367 Neilson Rd: Stacked Towns With Low Fees

The Skylofts is not a condo tower and should not be compared with one. It is 96 stacked townhouse suites spread across several blocks on Neilson Road in Malvern, with no elevators, no concierge and fees that are roughly half of what a new high-rise charges per square foot. That is the whole pitch, and for the right buyer it is a strong one. I’m Jatin Dua, RE/MAX Quantum Realty.

Stacked towns, not a tower

A 2014 Greybrook Realty Partners announcement described the project as 96 stacked condominium townhouses at 1355 Neilson Road, developed in collaboration with Stafford Developments. That is exactly what was built: low-rise blocks of suites stacked over one another, each block carrying several addresses from 1355 to 1367 Neilson.

In a stacked town you typically own one level or two within a three- or four-storey block, with your own front door from outside. There is no lobby, no corridor and no elevator. That is the main reason fees are low, and the main reason to think hard about stairs before you buy an upper suite.

The name suggests the upper suites are the selling point, but it does not tell you which suite you are looking at. Ask for the floor plan, the number of stairs to your door and the levels the suite covers.

Upper and lower suites in a stacked block are different products. A lower suite usually has easier access and may have a patio at grade, while an upper suite often has more privacy, more light and, in many designs, outdoor space higher up. Price them separately, even when the square footage is similar.

What the build year confusion means for you

Condos.ca lists the building as built in 2019, and its own overview text says 2017. The corporation was registered as TSCC-2731 on 21 August 2019. The most likely story is that blocks were finished and occupied in stages before registration, which is common with townhouse projects.

It matters because warranty periods run from specific dates. If you are buying one of the first suites occupied, some Tarion coverage may have ended earlier than you would expect. Ask the seller for the possession date and check which warranty items are still open with the builder.

The developer field on condos.ca is blank for this building, though the overview names Stafford Homes. The 2014 announcement names Stafford Developments. I treat these as the same builder family, but confirm the declarant on the status certificate.

Layouts and who lives in them

Condos.ca does not publish a full size range for The Skylofts. Current listings show two-bedroom, two-plus-den and three-bedroom suites, several of them in the 700 to 799 square foot band, which is efficient for a two-bedroom and tight for a three-bedroom. Measure rooms rather than counting them.

Stacked towns attract a different owner from towers. You get your own entrance and often a patio or balcony, which suits families and people with pets more than a corridor building does. You also hear your upstairs or downstairs neighbour more than you would in a concrete tower, so ask about soundproofing and visit in the evening.

When Greybrook announced the project, Stafford described Malvern as a community that has long been home to many new Canadians. That is still the area’s character, and it is a big part of the steady owner and tenant demand here.

Parking and the complex itself

Condos.ca lists visitor parking and bike storage as the complex’s amenities. It does not say how resident parking is arranged, whether in an underground garage, surface spaces or both, so confirm the parking and any locker that comes with the specific suite.

If the complex shares an underground garage, the garage membrane and ramp will become one of the biggest items in the reserve fund over time. If parking is on the surface, the asphalt, lighting and snow clearing carry the cost instead. Either way, it should show up in the reserve fund study.

Townhouse complexes also carry costs that towers handle differently: roofs over each block, exterior stairs, balconies and decks, and the private roads and walkways inside the site. Ask what the corporation maintains and what each owner is responsible for under the declaration, because that line varies from complex to complex.

For the location’s numbers, including transit, schools and walkability, see the data panel on this page.

What The Skylofts costs, and why the fee is so low

At the time of writing three suites were listed for sale, asking between $499,999 and $699,000. Their monthly fees ran from $335 to $463, about $0.48 per square foot on average.

That fee is roughly half of what a new Scarborough tower charges per square foot. Stacked towns have no elevators, no corridors to heat and clean, no concierge and no amenity floor, so the corporation has much less to run. The trade-off is that you may carry more yourself: check whether your suite has its own furnace or heat pump and water heater, and whether any of it is a rental contract.

Condos.ca does not list the fee inclusions here, so do not assume water or insurance is covered. Ask for the budget and a recent utility bill so you can compare the full monthly cost with a condo tower or a freehold townhouse. The asking range across current listings is wide, which mostly reflects bedroom count, level and outdoor space.

Building specifications

Amenities at The Skylofts

There is almost nothing to the amenity list, and that is deliberate. Visitor parking and bike storage are what a townhouse complex needs; everything else you would use is your own patio, the local parks and whatever gym you already belong to. You are paying for upkeep of the buildings and grounds, not for shared facilities.

Jatin’s honest take on The Skylofts

The Skylofts — frequently asked questions

Looking at Scarborough Bluffs, West Hill, Guildwood, Woburn, Malvern and Rouge more broadly? Start with my Toronto community guide — the neighbourhoods, what each pocket is like, and how they compare.