Thursday, February 6, 2014

No sweat, No candy! Madonna's Hard Candy Fitness is now open in Aura



College Park in downtown Toronto is evolving. With our 180,000 square foot retail space open to the public and purchasers moving into their suites above, the neighbourhood is continuing to flourish and is becoming more vibrant. One of the greatest additions to our building is Hard Candy Fitness Toronto, a Madonna branded gym, located on the 4th floor. Toronto’s Hard Candy Fitness is the first location in both Canada and the United States and plans to be both a social hub and fitness destination for everyone moving into the area.





We spoke with Justin Elie, Operations Manager at Hard Candy Fitness Toronto, about the brand new gym and he told us that since their opening on October 31, Hard Candy Fitness Toronto has been attracting Aura residents as well as people who live in the area. Because of their affiliation with Madonna, Hard Candy Fitness Toronto attracts her greatest fans and people who know and understand her work ethic and dedication to perfection.

Using Madonna’s work ethic and dedication as inspiration, the Hard Candy Fitness brand has built itself into an amazing facility with excellent fitness programming. All the equipment is brand new and incorporates state-of-the-art technology, such as Preva, a fitness app found on the gym equipment that tracks your workouts.



Another huge draw for Hard Candy Fitness Toronto is their group fitness program. “We strive to be the best. Our personal trainers and fitness instructors require top certifications and in the recruiting process, we reached out to industry leaders like our Director of Group Fitness Lori Kirwan,” Justin told us. “She is a very well known group fitness instructor in the city and has taught for all of the major gyms over the years. Lori really is an expert so we’re really proud to have her.”

Justin has 15 years of experience in the fitness industry. He started off his career by teaching group fitness classes, and has taught at a number of different facilities in various classes, from strength training to boot camp, so he understands what makes a great class. Hard Candy’s signature Addicted to Sweat program has been a hit among members as well as the Friday night spin classes in the theatre style studio (they have a live DJ on Friday nights).


Hard Candy is an international brand, but Toronto’s location has a uniquely Canadian feel to it. “The goal at Hard Candy Fitness Toronto is to really highlight the best of the Canadian fitness industry within the Hard Candy brand,” says Justin. “We are tailoring ourselves to be an inclusive fitness community.” Hard Candy Fitness Toronto is focused on amplifying the social aspect of the club by hosting social events when the facilities are fully completed. Hard Candy Fitness Toronto is a lot more than just your average in-and-out gym and that’s what really sets them apart.

Want to be a member of Hard Candy Fitness Toronto? We’re giving away a 1 year membership + 2 tickets to the Hard Candy Fitness Toronto grand opening this Tuesday, February 11th featuring an appearance by Madonna in our Voguing on Vine contest! Don’t miss your chance to enter.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Exclusive Interviews with Canderel and a New Aura Resident

A great insight from Julie Robinson, Senior Construction Manager at Canderel on how Aura manages to successfully reach for the top... all the way up to the 78th floor.

Now with close to 400 residents moved into their new home at Aura, one resident shares his excitement over the vibrant downtown community he can't wait to explore and boasts living in Toronto's newest iconic tower.  View Video Here.


















Read more of Susan Pigg's "Canada's Tallest Residential Tower Reaches for the Top" in the Toronto Star October 11, 2013


















View more progress photos HERE.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Aura Soars Up to Its Landmark Status

Soaring high into the clouds, Aura continues to climb and is currently progressing to the72nd floor!  Anyone walking down Yonge Street or Gerrard Street can see how this iconic tower with its vertical stature punctuates the sky.

Already referred to as downtown Toronto's newest landmark, the CN Tower may be taking second place.


Aura - Downtown Toronto's Newest Landmark



















Walking Down Yonge Street, Toronto Canada



















Read more of Shawn Micallef's  'Forget the CN Tower, Toronto. The Aura condo is the city’s newest landmark' in today's Toronto Star Octoer 10, 2013 http://www.thestar.com/life/2013/10/04/forget_the_cn_tower_toronto_the_aura_condo_is_the_citys_newest_landmark.html

Friday, August 2, 2013

Retail Base of Tower is Open to Thousands While Construction Continues

We often talk about what's happening up top at Aura but there's alot of activity already happening down below at street level. The retail podium of the tower is located at the base of the building and is open to thousands of shoppers, pedistrians and communters while construction above continues. Read more about the building's unique canopy structure that makes for easy street accessiblity to a host of shopping at Yonge and Gerrard.

Friday, July 26, 2013

REDS Wine Tavern to Open a Second Downtown Location

Restaurant giant SIR Corp, owner and operator of many of the city's popular dining hot spots is set to open their second downtown location of REDS Wine Tavern on the ground floor of Aura later this year. 

There's also plans for two other new and exciting restaurants to join the busy corner of Yonge St. and Gerrard St.


REDS Wine Tavern Coming Soon to Aura