EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK
Heron has been hiding his talents
February 6, 2010
Gale Beeby
REAL ESTATE EDITOR
Hugh Heron is one of the most talented and forward-thinking builders I have had the pleasure to meet.
During a recent Ontario Home Builders' Association Leaders Dinner, some of us found out that Heron, the president of Heathwood Homes, has a talent most of us didn't know about.
He can sing.
It was a pleasure to hear Heron, a Scot by birth but a proud Canadian by choice, sing "O Canada" on video to open the night's agenda.
OHBA president James Bazely challenged the room to identify the mystery singer, but it was quickly apparent it was Heron's beautiful tenor voice, which is familiar to many from his television and radio appearances. But then, maybe he's been taking lessons from his good friend and tenor extraordinaire John McDermott.
You can hear his rendition of the anthem at www.youtube.com.
GIVING BACK
The original little girl on the prairie, Melissa Gilbert, pitched in with the rest of her castmates from Little House on the Prairie: The Musical – currently playing in Toronto at the Canon Theatre until the end of the month (www.mirvish.com) – to help build 16 homes for Habitat for Humanity's Scarborough build earlier this week.
Gilbert, best known for playing Laura Ingalls in the television series Little House on the Prairie during the 1970s, now plays Ma in the stage version.
"Habitat for Humanity is truly one of the most important, most wonderful organizations in this country and around the world," Gilbert said last week.
Neil Hetherington, Habitat Toronto's CEO, recognizes the natural fit between the show and the organization. "Habitat for Humanity is all about family, just like this beloved classic."
Thanks to their partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, the musical will make a financial donation to Habitat affiliates in each of the show's tour markets at the culmination of their tour.
Habitat for Humanity has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide since its founding in 1976, providing decent, affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people
WILD RIDE
Last week Urbanation Inc., the leading source of analysis on the Toronto condo market, released its 2009 fourth quarter market review.
The good news is the sales were up 36 per cent over the third quarter numbers (from 4,617 sales to 6,295). In total, 14,792 new condominium sales were reported in 2009, up slightly from 2008's total of 14,469 by 2 per cent.
Considering the industry entered 2009 with apprehension over a busting economy, the results were considered good.
"The Q4-2009 sales were a record for the fourth quarter in the CMA, and the third highest quarterly total on record, said Ben Myers, editor and executive vice-president of Urbanation, by email.
"These results were truly unexpected, quite a turnaround from the poor first half of 2009, and quite a cap to a booming decade of condominium activity."
Myers attributed much of the success of the market to the efforts of builders to keep prices relatively moderate, making condos affordable for most first-time buyers.
"These purchasers see condominium living not only as a lifestyle choice but as an investment."
Of some concern for the future is the increase in costs introduced by the city of Toronto, including land transfer taxes, green roof legislation, minimum three-bedroom unit requirements, and mandated "free" TTC passes, Myers said.
This is in addition to the provincial/federal implementation of the HST, tighter lending practices, possible increases in required down payments, and shortened loan amortization periods, all of which could combine to reduce real and perceived affordability.
"Too many of these 'hidden' costs, if taken together, could derail the new condominium market, which is finally back on track following the global financial crisis," Myers said.
The top developer in 2009 was Tridel with more than 1,300 sales, followed closely by Plazacorp. The top selling site was Lanterra Developments/Cadillac Fairview's Ice Condominiums Phase 2 with more than 400 units sold in 2009.
More information is available at www.urbanation.ca.
Email gbeeby@thestar.ca or follow on Twitter @galebeeby.
Toronto Star