The Lofts and Condos of Roncesvalles Village

By now many of us are familiar with the loft concept and may know how they differ from condominiums. Hard Lofts are loft spaces that have been reftrofitted in a way that make them livable like condos with the added bonus of exposed brick walls, high ceilings and proper wooden beams in tact overhead. Sometimes original flooring and windows have been refinished as well. Soft lofts are really lofts that may have the height however they lack the original features that hard lofts have. You've seen those "mezzanines", you know what I'm talking about...It's like comparing freshly squeezed orange juice to "orange flavoured" drink. In both cases however rarely does one see a loft with any ammenities unless you're looking at certain soft lofts that may have gyms, ample surface parking and/ or other plus  a concierge of sorts. Nevertheless this form of living space has taken on a life of it's own in the past 10-15 years in this fair city.

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Here is a quaint list of lofts in Roncy Village!  

243 Macdonell Avenue

Rarely are these units for sale but well worth the wait. This building as well as 1 Columbus Avenue are the only lofts in the area that have so few units in them making them ideal boutique spaces. This complex has 6 hard lofts of varying size and some units have rooftop terraces. The space is considered to be an older loft having being reconfigured in the mid 80's when the loft concept had not yet  taken flight in Toronto. A 3 bedroom unit was last for sale here in 2010 and sold for over $600k.

Roncesvalles Lofts (Ritchie Avenue)  

Not to be visually confused with a penitentiary, this loft of questionable exterior has an interesting interior. The grey cladding on it's exterior makes for poor curb appeal as well as it's eco-friendly juxapositioning beside a gas station. Having said this, to be fair the interior that houses 37 loft residences has a totally different interior. The 5-storey building has units with large private walkout terraces and balconies.

The buidling offers one, two and three storey lofts ranging in size from 685 to 1950 square feet (1 bdr, 2bdr, 2+1 adn 3+1 sizes plus 13 varying layouts available).

To counterbalance the neighbouring gas station, the project's entrance leads to a garden type courtyard off of Rtichie Avenue that helps soften the obtuse exterior. This project is by defintion a soft loft as units here lack the expected beams, exposed brick etc. Ceiling heights  range from 9 to 18 feet in addition to floor to ceiling windows that give the added illusion of space.

Unlike many hard lofts, some soft lofts as referenced above do have some semblance of ammenities. In this case, this building has a very inviting furnished as well as glass enclosed "party room" with a fully equipped kitchen and washrooms as is de riguer in most complexes. For your outdoor party needs, a trellised seating area with a barbeque spot is available as well. 

Robert Watson Lofts  363-369 Sorauren Avenue

This fab building (former candy factory warehouse) is a funky half and half! Business in the front, party in the back...I kid...Fronting on Sorauren Avenue, you'll find the vintage hard loft portion of this complex complete with beams and all. This whole complex houses 153 units ranging in size from 550 to 1500sf. The ground floor units either have a mezzanine or full second floor. The portion that is interconnected via courtyard towards the back is the new soft loft part housing 6 storeys of slick loft space. Polished concrete, high ceilings and lots of glass!  For residents that feel like chillaxin', a green roof terrace is on hand. Built originally in 1907 this complex has been restored with care making it one of the coolest and proper loft conversions in Toronto. So glad it's in my hood.

Sorauren Lofts      347 Sorauren Avenue

What once was a ball bearing factory is now a 48-unit loft that's a melding of an original warehouse and two new additions. This hard loft features what you would expect of a hard loft which in this case means 15 foot ceilings with giant timber beams and columns as well as six foot windows!

One Columbus Lofts    1 Columbus Avenue

On what I like to call "loft row", another hard loft and super authentic one as well is located just north along Sorauren  on the west side just before Dundas Street West on the corner of Columbus and Sorauren Avenue.

A former baseball glove factory, this space was reinvigorated in 1996 by Architects Jackson Goad. With only 10 lofts in the building, this project is what would be defined as a boutique building with units ranging in size from 1300 sf to over 2400 sf. Some lucky owners have direct elevator access into their suites as well as their own rooftop terraces. Once again, 10 foot ceilings , exposed brick walls, wood and industrial steel beams and polished concrete floors are the norm here. Once in a while a cool place here will pop up for sale. Got some parking here too. Lucky buyers! 

The Abbey Lofts   384 Sunnyside Avenue

Built in 1911, this Neo-Gothic church was morphed into a 24 unit loft space that truly boasts all the resplendent qualities of a proper hard loft. When you get past the fact that this space was a house of prayer and perhaps according to some should have been left as such, this space was beautifully executed. Unlike many multi-unit dwellings, the open concept spaces here have been tastefully customized by current owners. These lofts are nestled on the far north portion of Sunnyside Avenue, 1 block south of Howard Park Avenue. Part of the project fronts on Marmaduke as well. Once in a while a unit will come up for sale but worth the wait.

Feather Factory      2154 Dundas Street West

No feathers here, only 5-storeys containing 44 hard lofts fashioned out of what was the Toronto Feather & Down Company factory. Located on the corner of Rtichie Avenue and Dundas, this  newish charmer boasts a level of appeal that only a loft lover could love. Not to worry, ceiling heights vary up to 14.5 feet! No parking here but don't panic, the walkability score in this hood is high so you don't really need that Land Rover. You can apply for permit parking to park on adjacent Ritchie Avenue. The Dundas West subway is about a 7 minute walk from the front door of this complex. Not to shabby...and yes there's even a Starbucks down the road. 

High Park Garage Lofts     119 and 121 Fermanagh Avenue

Gee...I rememba when I was a youngin', this was still a dirty garage. Not anymore!! In 2004, this structure was morphed into 3 freehold townhome-style lofts. Nice they are with their bright and airy spaces, rooftop terraces as well as their tankless hot water heaters! Surface parking exists as well as a super short walk to all that is Ronces! So close to Ronces, that you can literally fall off your Hastens mattress and land in nearby Maple Produce:) These units are quite pricey so bargain hunters need to steer clear...

Howard Park lofts     24 Howard Park Avenue

Ah yes....the newest addition to the Roncesvallian loft collection. Scheduled to be finished in January 2014, this staggered structure will be located east of Ronces and linger towards Dundas Street West. Having seen all the unit layouts and plans of what will be, this place will surely be a winner. This now 8 storey building (96 units) will be followed by another eight storey structure later (104 units). Call me for details! 416-251-2999

High Park Lofts   437 Roncevalles Avenue

As soft lofts and condos go this one is really in a category of it's own. A 7-storey structure that from a bird's eye view looks like a big letter "V" with a 130 foot glass atrium in the middle. The atrium encases a really nice garden. This geothermally heated and cooled complex is also easy on the environment while saving residents money. Like the Feather Factory and soon-to-be Howard Park Condos, this building is a short walking distance to the Dundas West subway as it's located on the northern part of Roncesvalles Avenue and north of Howard Park Avenue. Residents enjoy expansive windows and panoramic views of the park. Parking is underground and plenty of bike racks sit gingerly on Ritchie Avenue. At street level, some units are dedicated commercial spaces of varying size while other units on the northerly edge of the building are for residential use. Prices range from the low $400's to high $500's.

Whether you're looking for a soft or hard loft in this fabled hood, give me a call!

416-251-2999