The beginnings
“When I'm home, I like a cozy, comfortable, calming space.”
—Stacy Keibler



In the 1970s, two identical three-tower condominium projects were built right beside each other on Dixon Road just east of Kipling Avenue in the west-end of Toronto. They are:

YCC #42   (320, 330 & 340 Dixon Road).
YCC #60   (370, 380 & 390 Dixon Road).

York Condominium # 42 was registered on 01 August 1971. A one-bedroom unit sold for $18,350 with a down payment of $917.50. Mortgage payments were $140.82, taxes $25.00 and common element fees were $36.39 for a total monthly cost of $202.21. The most expensive three-bedroom unit cost $21,750 and carried for $241.71.

In 1977, five years after the corporation was registered, Swiss-Canadian Property Management hired Vince Cianfarani as the property manager.

When Vince arrived, there were some original construction problems that needed to be repaired but in the main, the buildings were well constructed and well maintained and the property values were roughly equal with YCC # 60 and YCC #42 was in better shape.

The three tall high-rise buildings, containing 887 residential units, is located on a large piece of land and they had all the standard amenities that condos of that day offered including retail shops at the bottom of 330 Dixon and a large indoor swimming pool.

YCC #42 was an upscale condominium that was attractive to people who worked in the nearby industrial areas and the nearby airport. Although the condo is in the suburbs, the Eglinton subway and the airport were only one bus ride away.

It was bought as primary residences by mainly by eastern-European blue-collar workers. Many airline pilots, stewardess and airport employees bought there because it was so close to work.

The condo maintained high standards. There were few over-crowded units and the declaration, bylaws and rules were enforced.

A community
When I looked at a few of the old community newsletters, I was surprised at the sense of pride that the residents and owners had in their homes and community supported a vibrant social life with a wide range of activities.

The board and Vince created the Kingsview Foundation which with the help of a federal government grant, hired six employees and ran a summer camp program for the children within the facilities at the corporation.

The condo supported a children's soccer league that had 120 players. There was different clubs for the adults and in early September, the condo had a community celebration which were far more elaborate than a simple barbecue.

Newsletters
The condo published 12-page newsletters that were almost magazines complete with news articles, financial information, commercial advertising and a Classified ads section.
10th Anniversary Celebration (1982)
The twenty-year celebration in 1991 came complete with a 20-page program for the day-long event.


10th Anniversary Celebration (1982)
Maintenance
YCC #42 was properly maintained with the board spending up to $1 million a year on repairs and upgrading the property.

There were defects in the original construction that had to be repaired and some items needed to be replaced.

In the summer of 1991 alone, 25 repair, renovation and replacement projects were completed including:
•
 Replacing galvanized domestic hot water main lines with copper piping.
• Repairs to the garage including work on the expansion joints.
• Replacing the roofs on all three buildings.
• Increased the number of electrical feeders and replacing the aluminum feeders with copper.
• Caulking windows and repairing broken bricks.
• Installing a standby generator.
• Installing roof anchors
• Refurbishing the exterior of 330 Dixon Road

The corporation was financially secure and was well maintained.

Drawbacks
There were two drawbacks that were not apparent when the condo corporation was built. The buildings didn't have central air conditioning as they were built at a time when central air in residential units, including houses, was a luxury.

Being so close to the airport was one of this condo's big attractions and no one saw that it would later become a major drawback.


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