After years of selling real estate throughout Toronto and the GTA, there are certain condo buildings that stand out to me. In Humber Bay Shores and Mimico, there is one development I continue to come back to: South Beach Condos & Lofts at 88 and 90 Park Lawn Road in Etobicoke.
I have bought units in these buildings over the years for friends, family and clients, and many of them are still living here today. That doesn’t surprise me. Once people get comfortable at South Beach and experience the combination of larger suites, extensive amenities, location and overall quality of the development, there often isn’t much motivation to leave.
For me, South Beach represents something increasingly difficult to find in Toronto real estate: a condo that feels upscale without sacrificing space, lifestyle or convenience.
Two Towers With Approximately 30,000 Square Feet of Resort-Style Amenities
One of the biggest reasons South Beach stands out is the amenity package shared between the two towers. Residents have access to approximately 30,000 square feet of resort-style amenities, including the Shore Club and Ocean Drive Lounge.
Calling it a typical condo amenity area doesn’t really do it justice.
The fitness facilities are among my favourite features. The gym is spacious and offers plenty of equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, weight machines and free weights. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in plenty of natural sunlight and overlook landscaped outdoor areas, making the space feel completely different from the small, windowless gyms found in many condo buildings. There is also a dedicated yoga room.
During the summer, the outdoor pool area gives the development a resort-like atmosphere. There are lounge chairs, private cabanas and landscaped surroundings that remind me of the atmosphere of a Toronto pool club, except it’s available to residents right downstairs from their condos.
There is also a beautiful indoor swimming pool, hot tubs and additional wellness amenities including whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and massage rooms.
For residents who prefer sports, South Beach also offers a half-court basketball court that can be converted for pickleball, along with a squash court. There is even a children’s play area, making the amenities useful for more than just one demographic.
Entertainment, Business and Lifestyle Amenities
The amenities extend well beyond fitness and swimming.
South Beach has an impressive party and dining event lounge with a fully equipped kitchen, along with an additional private party room, bar and private dining area. These spaces make it possible to host larger gatherings without trying to squeeze everyone into your condo.
Residents also have access to a Hollywood-style media screening room, business lounge, internet lounge, conference room and library. There is wine storage, a tasting bar and billiards room as well.
Add guest suites, visitor parking, pet daycare, 24-hour security and concierge service, and you begin to understand why I’ve always considered the amenity package one of the strongest in the Humber Bay Shores area.
Instead of simply checking boxes on an amenity list, these are facilities residents can actually use as an extension of their homes.
Amexon Didn’t Cheap Out on the Finishes
Another reason I like South Beach is something you notice almost immediately when you walk through the building: the quality of the finishes.
The development was built by Amexon Development Corporation, and in my opinion, they did an excellent job with these two towers. The use of Carrara-style marble throughout the common areas and within the suites gives the development an upscale feel that has aged well.
South Beach was designed by II BY IV Design Associates Inc. and Arsenault Architects. Both towers rise 27 storeys and contain 313 units. The towers were completed around 2012–2013.
What matters more to me than the specifications on paper, however, is how the buildings actually feel after more than a decade of use.
The construction feels solid, the suites are well insulated, and the finishes still compare favourably with many newer developments I’ve been through. You can tell considerable attention was paid to the details.
I’ve toured, listed, sold and purchased enough condos over the years to recognize when a development was built primarily to hit a price point and when additional money and thought went into the finished product. South Beach falls into the second category for me.
The Suites Are Actually Spacious
This may be the biggest reason I continue recommending South Beach.
The units are generally spacious compared with many other condos in the neighbourhood of a similar age or newer.
As Toronto land and construction costs increased, condo floor plans became increasingly compact. It’s now common to walk into a relatively new unit and wonder how you’re supposed to arrange normal-sized furniture.
South Beach has many layouts that feel like actual homes.
The designs are functional, the finishes are attractive and many of the larger suites I’ve encountered over the years have excellent corner configurations. Depending on the unit, you can get substantial windows and natural light while still having enough space for proper living, dining and entertaining areas.
For buyers who actually intend to live in their condo rather than simply treat it as an investment, that extra space makes a major difference.
I’ve Bought Here for Friends, Family and Clients
My opinion of South Beach isn’t based on visiting the lobby once or reading the building’s marketing material.
I’ve bought a number of units at 88 and 90 Park Lawn Road over the years for friends, family and general real estate clients. The fact that the majority of them are still living here today says a lot.
They seem to love the buildings, and many have no plans to leave anytime soon.
That’s something I pay attention to as a Realtor. A building can look fantastic when it’s brand new, but the better test is whether people still enjoy living there years later.
South Beach has passed that test for many of the people I’ve helped purchase here.
Humber Bay Shores Is One of Toronto’s Best Lifestyle Communities
The buildings themselves are only half the story.
South Beach is located in Humber Bay Shores in Mimico, putting residents a short walk from Lake Ontario and Toronto’s waterfront trail system.
You can walk, jog, bike or simply take your dog for a stroll along the water. There are trails and bike paths throughout the area, nearby parks and access to the marina for boating enthusiasts.
I personally love rollerblading through the area during the summer. You can also bike east along the waterfront toward downtown Toronto, making the neighbourhood feel connected to the city while still having a completely different atmosphere from living downtown.
The community works for almost every stage of life. Younger residents can enjoy the restaurants, entertainment and active lifestyle. Families have parks, trails and everyday conveniences nearby. Older residents can enjoy a walkable waterfront community that encourages an active lifestyle.
There are also seasonal attractions such as farmers’ markets and community events that give Humber Bay Shores more of a neighbourhood feel than many high-density condo communities.
Everything You Need Is Nearby
Convenience is another major advantage.
There are grocery stores and everyday services throughout the surrounding area, including Sobeys, Metro, Shoppers Drug Mart, LCBO locations, banks and countless restaurants, cafés and other businesses.
Even better, several businesses are located directly outside South Beach, just steps from the residential entrance. These include Lume Kitchen & Lounge, Chiang Mai, LNG Nails, Bodyful Aesthetics and Academy, Soren Custom Suits and Only the Strong Fitness.
The broader Etobicoke community also has some of my favourite long-established local businesses. Mama Martino’s and SanRemo Bakery are two examples, but the list could go on forever.
That’s another thing I appreciate about living in this part of Toronto. You get the newer waterfront restaurants and businesses around Humber Bay Shores while remaining minutes away from established Etobicoke neighbourhoods with restaurants and shops that have been serving the community for decades.
Minutes From Downtown Without Living Downtown
One of South Beach’s most underrated advantages is its proximity to the Gardiner Expressway.
You can get onto the highway extremely quickly. Under favourable traffic conditions, downtown Toronto can be approximately 10 minutes away by car, while Sherway Gardens is less than 10 minutes in the opposite direction.
Of course, Toronto traffic can make those drive times considerably longer, but geographically, South Beach is positioned extremely well.
You’re close enough to downtown to enjoy everything the core offers without necessarily having to live in the middle of it.
For people who work downtown but also travel west throughout the GTA, the location can be particularly convenient.
Why South Beach Remains My Favourite Mimico Condo
I’ve lived in several neighbourhoods throughout Toronto, and Humber Bay Shores remains one of my favourite places in the city.
You have the lake, parks, trails, restaurants, cafés, fitness options, boating, cycling and easy highway access all within one community. You can live an active lifestyle without having to drive somewhere every time you want to go for a run, walk or bike ride.
And within that neighbourhood, 88 and 90 Park Lawn Road continue to be my favourite buildings to buy in Mimico.
It comes down to a combination that’s increasingly difficult to reproduce: approximately 30,000 square feet of resort-style amenities, spacious suites, impressive finishes, solid construction, a strong location and a development that still feels upscale more than a decade after it was built.
No condo is going to be right for every buyer, and anyone considering purchasing should still review the specific unit, maintenance fees, status certificate, building financials and recent comparable sales before making a decision.
But when friends, family or clients ask me which buildings I personally like in Mimico and Humber Bay Shores, South Beach is consistently at or near the top of my list.
I’ve helped enough people buy here over the years to see what happens after closing.
Most of them stay.
And to me, that’s one of the strongest endorsements a condo building can get.