First the Warhol Collection and now Picasso. Toronto’s condos have an affinity for the arts.

Picasso recently opened their new presentation centre at 256 Queen St. West, reminiscent of a gallery of modern art.

Consultant Michael Budovitch was instrumental in the design and marketing of the development, a joint project between the Goldman and Monarch groups.

He says Picasso is a radical departure from the simplified glass towers where all the units are the same, [hopefully] a welcome new trend for Toronto condos.

“We have an iconic landmark building that we’re offering to Toronto in the best location in the entertainment district,” Budovitch says. “When you look at our building – it’s not a traditional glass tower – we have buildings within buildings.”

Architect Stephen Teeple has done it again with another of his three-dimensional cubist designs.

Picasso has terraces jutting out on many [different] levels throughout the building. Normally terraces are either on the top or the lower levels of a condo.

“We’re looking at all these terraces and we see a lot of greenery so it’s integrated with the building,” says Budovitch.

“When you’re working on a building like this, you have to get your head around it because you have 70 different floor plans. All the units are happening with view in mind and for appropriate location,” says Budovitch.

With a few finishing touches still ongoing, the elegant model suite features a deep, commercial-style kitchen sink with appliances hidden behind the cabinetry.

In the bathroom, there’s slate floors and a soaker tub. There’s been no compromise to the details of these units.

“It was great working with Monarch and Goldman because there was pretty well no budget. Mr. Goldman wanted to create a legacy of a building that would stand the test of time, a landmark.

“Having done buildings over the years, they change from periods. This will be very current at any time.”

Also a welcome trend in Toronto, are roomier units, which Picasso has managed to address with their combination suites. This is a condo for life.

“We married a studio with a two bedroom,” explains Budovitch.

“If a young couple is looking at a two bedroom in the beginning and then their family grows and they need the third bedroom and they have two condo units, two separate entrances, when they retire they’ll have a pied-à-terre.”

Rumour has it that some of Pablo Picasso’s actual artifacts will be on display at the presentation centre. We’ll have to wait and see.