The Anchors at Lakeview is a new condo development being built adjacent to the "Inspiration Lakeview" premises, part of a Mississauga waterfront revitalization master plan the design of which is just starting to become clear. The project comprises two buildings, both of which will sit on Lakeshore Rd. E. just a short distance from each other.

Contrary to the typical glass-skyrockets found nearby on Toronto's waterfront, The Anchors will rise in two separate brick-buildings at only four stories each; a refreshing height set up for a change. When it comes to units, much like the standard residential market in Mississauga, these condos will feature spacious rooms and plenty of kitchen counter space (enough to hold a friday night hangout, to be sure), ensuite bathrooms, and mostly wall-to-wall closets.

Balconies and on-site amenities are not a breathtaking feature here, but the promise of a revitalized waterfront should at least make you gasp (don't hold it though; the master plan could take anywhere from five to 20 years to put in place).

SPECS

Address: 1041 Lakeshore Rd. E. and 1407 Lakeshore Rd. E
Storeys: 4 storeys each
Number of Units: 90 condos and urban towns
Types of Units: 1, 1+den, 2, 2+den
Units Sizes: From 600 to 1540 sq. ft.
Amenities: Fitness room
Price: Starting from the upper $200,000
Maintenance Fee: $0.42/Sq.ft. (estimation).
Developer: Dunsire Developments and Fortress Real Developments

FEATURES

• Clock tower
• Underground parking, bicycle and storage lockers
• Integrated appliances and stackable washer/dryer
• Overall spacious rooms, closets and full ensuite bathrooms

THE VERDICT

Allow me to get a little 'architectural' here because I can't shake the fact that the overall building design seems stiff and unincorporated. Instead of reconnecting with the waterfront (basic principle of every waterfront development in history), the building rather closes itself. And that's not to mention the boring office-type look that brings little to the design table.

With so much planned for the Lakeview revitalization right at the front door of this development, The Anchors seem the result of an island-job: well thought out the inside but completely isolated the outside, which may well remain as a 'silent' addition to simply cope with residential needs. It's not an eye-sore but it doesn't deserve honourable mention either. That's a bit of a shame because it had the potential to become so much more.

Writing by Cathy Esaa