TJV is right when he says it's an accumulation of all the little things.

While they are excellent buildings, the Aria, Belvedere, and Sovereign lose points on my luxury analysis primarily because they have ugly baseboard heaters. (This is my biggest pet peeve after microwave/hood fan combos - looking at you, Era). Aria also has "textured ceilings

ps. while the above clearly illustrates that i'm a pretentious snob, it's okay because I'm self-aware about it..... right?

TJV is right when he says it's an accumulation of all the little things.

While they are excellent buildings, the Aria, Belvedere, and Sovereign lose points on my luxury analysis primarily because they have ugly baseboard heaters. (This is my biggest pet peeve after microwave/hood fan combos - looking at you, Era). Aria also has "textured ceilings".

The Sovereign was a tough cut because it truly has some luxurious features such as the car elevator, great bathrooms, air conditioning, and uses high quality materials. It loses out because of its relatively small windows, relative lack of building amenities, and relatively low ceiling height (8 ft 5). When you're inside, the units can seem dark and claustrophobic.

The Sovereign has hot water radiator heating which is quite luxurious. Relatively small windows are dictated by location (old town). The bathrooms aren't that great in the 7 or 8 units I've been in.

The Bayview One in my opinion is the most luxurious building in Victoria and a cut above the rest. If I was buying to live in long term I would buy at Bayview.

As an investment condo I would skip it, plenty of pet peeves including built in appliances which I can't stand....video I made in a Bayview kitchen -> https://youtu.be/c42HU8Myz_4

As far as Shutters/Falls I would put a few builds ahead of them such as the Promontory.

In my book, Yates gets a downgrade from luxury status because there a no purchaser upgrade possibilities as was the case for Chard's last sales effort at the Escher. I would appreciate the opportunity to upgrade the standard laminate flooring to engineered hardwood, but its a no-go. Ditto for cabinet or appliance upgrades. A/C is nice though.

In my book, Yates gets a downgrade from luxury status because there a no purchaser upgrade possibilities as was the case for Chard's last sales effort at the Escher. I would appreciate the opportunity to upgrade the standard laminate flooring to engineered hardwood, but its a no-go. Ditto for cabinet or appliance upgrades. A/C is nice though.

Just because they are not advertised does not mean they are not available, at this point. I'm sure they can be negotiated, but they will not be cheap.

I upgraded my condo just with some different counter-tops, plumbing fixtures and an appliance change. Frankly it cost me almost as much as it would have if I waited until completion then ordered the change from independent contractors. And I would have had an extra fridge to boot.

In my book, Yates gets a downgrade from luxury status because there a no purchaser upgrade possibilities as was the case for Chard's last sales effort at the Escher. I would appreciate the opportunity to upgrade the standard laminate flooring to engineered hardwood, but its a no-go. Ditto for cabinet or appliance upgrades. A/C is nice though.

If Yates only offers laminate flooring then its far from luxury. If they are cheaping out on flooring then it makes me wonder if the cabinets are pressboard or made in China, etc.