Guildwood residents are so fond of their community that an oft heard expression is that you are born there, live there and die there.  Many long-term residents are seeking retirement homes but don’t want to leave their old neighbourhood, and the new retirement residence by Chartwell is a welcome addition to the Village. So welcome is it that the presentation that followed a ground-breaking ceremony in September was attended by over 300 people.

 

Chartwell announced that their new Guildwood Retirement Residence, at 65 Livingston Road, is expected to open in early 2020.  It will include a total of 172 suites, 141 of which will provide independent supportive living, and 31 that are termed “memory living studios” for people requiring more care.  The building will be pet friendly and will provide many facilities including a dining room, pool, gym, music room, hair salon and movie theatre.  The interior was described as a reflection of the arts-and-crafts neighbourhood, and a flexible lifestyle program will be designed to serve the preferences of the residents.

 

The building itself is a good fit with its surroundings and was well received at the community consultation in 2015; a pleasing change from the all too common pressure from developers to ride rough shod over zoning bylaws.  Whilst it is true that amendments to the Official Plan and zoning requirements were sought to allow an increase in height and greater density, the additional storey has generally been set back from Livingston Road and the site landscaping promises to be attractive.  The amendments were accepted in exchange for a developer’s contribution of $175,000 to capital improvements at the nearby Guild Park and Gardens.

 

In early November, Chartwell will open a sales centre at 3730 Kingston Road, at Scarborough Golf Club Road, and appointments may be scheduled now by calling 647-846-7005.  Studio Suites (380 sq. ft.) will be priced from $3,271/month, one-bedroom (560-876 sq. ft.) $3,870, two-bedrooms (844-1,046 sq. ft.) $4,887, while “Memory Living” Studios (347-510 sq. ft.) will start at $5,500.