Exhibit Residences is that condo project that recently flattened the beloved McDonalds across from the ROM. But don't worry my grease loving friends, Micky D's is coming back in a big or should I say "super-sized" way. Oh yeah, and it's going to be in the base of a surprisingly well designed condo tower. At 32 storeys, Exhibit won't be your usual giant rectangle of glass. Instead Architect Rosario Varacalli has taken that principle and split the tower into four sort of off kilter cubes. Well five actually, if you include the unusual addition of a posterior above ground parking garage.

Each of the cubes has a few unique features that set it apart from its slightly turned counterparts. If you live in Cube One for example, you have the ability to actually live on the same level as your car. There is actually a parking spot for every unit, which we rarely see outside of the burbs. The need for parking at all at this extremely walkable and transit heavy location is really unclear. Another difference between the cubes seems to be that the quality of kitchen appliances increases along with the size of your terrace as you go higher throughout the building. Also it looks like a good deal of the units have wrap around windows to maximize what should be some pretty expansive views.

SPECS

Address: 200 Bloor St. West
Storeys: 32
Number of Units: 200
Unit sizes in Square Feet: 506-2,378
Ceiling Height: 9 ft
Starting Price: $500,000s
Parking: $65,000
Maintenance: $0.58 sq ft
Amenities: guest suite, party room, 24 hr consierge, roof deck, gym, guest parking, rooftop garden with a reflecting pool,
Architect: Rosario Varacalli
Developer: Bazis, Metropia, Plaza
Interior Designer: Burdifilek
Landscape Architect: NAK Design Group
Completion Date: 2015

The Good

Got a new expense account or a trust fund you need to get rid of fast? Well this is the neighbourhood to do it in. Just steps from your front door you've got Toronto's finest pocket draining establishments waiting to help you re-mortgage your new condo in no time. Besides the ritzy shopping, the area has a pretty good election of things to keep you occupied. Whether it be learning about corruption at Queen's Park or figuring out exactly how to walk like an "ancient" Egyptian at the ROM. If you venture further West the Annex is a bit more price friendly and unique, although with the looming loss of Honest Ed's affordable shopping isn't getting any easier in this area.

The Bad

Think long and hard and ask yourself just how much you like McDonalds. The architect has promised this location to be something a little different, taking inspiration for its new interior from similar locations in Prague and Paris. As nice as that may sound, the golden arches tend to be really busy at almost all hours of the day (and night), not to mention a smell most can notice from some distance away. Let's hope that doesn't become the case in your brand new condo above.

Our Take

Even with some of these absolutely huge unit sizes, you're still paying a pretty penny and some "lofty" maintenance fees to boot. So it's going to take a unique person to pay a half a million bucks (or more) to live above a McDonalds. Even if it does make you feel like you are in Paris.

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