Hard Lofts are coveted living spaces for most buyers in Toronto. Especially for those of us who spent years pining after the lofts in TV show settings like Dan Humphrey’s super-cool Brooklyn loft in Gossip Girl or New Girl’s downtown LA loft.
By definition, hard lofts are older buildings, such as factories or churches, that have been turned into residential dwellings.
They all share some aesthetic characteristics, such as an old-school industrial style with exposed brick and HVAC and large windows. In Toronto, hard lofts almost always cost more per square foot than newer condos because buyers value the history and aesthetic of the units.
Because a hard loft is always a retrofitted older building, no two units are identical to each other. Here’s our roundup of all the lofts in West Toronto.
Robert Watson Lofts
The Location: 363-369 Sorauren. Sitting just north of Sorauren Park and south of Dundas west, this is a prime Roncesvalles loft located close to many transit options and to the shopping on Roncesvalles.
The Building: If you close your eyes and breathe deeply, you can still smell the scotch mints that this factory used to produce. Built in 1903 as a candy factory, this building was converted into lofts in 2007. Concurrent to the loft conversion, the developers also built a new building attached to 363 Sorauren. Both buildings have six stories in total and 156 units ranging from 500 sq feet to 1500 square foot penthouses. The original building has beautiful hard loft features, such as large arched windows, high ceilings, exposed brick walls and polished concrete flooring. The newer building is built in the style of the old building, with high ceilings and exposed industrial-style ductwork. Residents of the newer building also get the benefit of floor-to-ceiling glass windows and balconies.
Feather Factory Lofts
The Location: 2154 Dundas. Located in prime Roncesvalles, at Roncesvalles Ave and Dundas, this building is located perfectly to take advantage of many transit options, including the Subway, the UP express and two streetcar lines.
The Building: The Feather Factory was built in 1911 as, you guessed it, a bedding company. This is a smaller building, with only forty-four units over six floors but it is one of the most dreamy (pun intended). It boasts huge south and east-facing windows, so all the units are flooded with lots of natural light. Perfect for those mid-afternoon naps.
Sorauren Lofts
The Location: 347 Sorauren. Located in one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in west Toronto, this Roncesvalles hard loft has a direct view of Sorauren Park and is an easy walk to the Roncesvalles neighbourhood.
The Building: The Sorauren Lofts used to be a large factory that made ball bearings. Built in 1908, the Chapman Double Ball Bearing Company used it to manufacture their product. In 1997 the Brown Group converted it into forty-eight residential suites. Most of the units have steel-framed mezzanine levels made possible by the fifteen-foot high ceilings in the units. These units have hardwood flooring, original metal ceilings, exposed brick walls and many other original loft features.
One Columbus Lofts
The Location: 1 Columbus. Located at the corner of Columbus and Sorauren, this is another hard loft building in the Roncesvalles area. Walking distance to Roncesvalles, Queen west, Brockton village, and many other coveted parts of the city.
The Building: One Columbus is one of the city’s most exclusive hard loft buildings. Originally housing Rawlings Baseball Glove Factory, this large building was converted into only ten residential suites, most of which have private elevator access from their parking space. The units are huge by Toronto standards, starting at 1300 square feet and going up to 2300 square feet. One Columbus features polished concrete and original hardwood flooring, ten-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and industrial-style post-and-beam construction.
The Abbey Lofts
The Location: 384 Sunnyside Ave. The Abbey Lofts are one of the most romantic loft spaces in Toronto’s west end and in the High Park neighbourhood, just steps from both High Park and Roncesvalles Avenue. This neighbourhood also enjoys easy access to the Gardiner Expressway and downtown.
The Building: Unlike the industrial lofts that feature factory aesthetics, this loft is in a converted Gothic-style church. The building has only twenty-four units total, and they feature stunning curved windows, and original limestone walls. Some of the units even have seventeen-foot high ceilings. This is your place if you’re looking for some divinity with your breakfast.
Bloorline Lofts
The Location: 284 St. Helens. Tucked away on a quiet side street just west of Lansdowne and south of Bloor is a beautiful three-storey old brick building that was built in approximately 1910. The location is perfect for city living; the Junction, Brockton Village, Roncesvalles and Dufferin mall are all within walking distance. It is also very close to Lansdowne subway station and the UP express.
The Building: Looking for a soft plan to lay your head? Locals colloquially refer to this building as the “mattress factory,” which invokes warm images of feathers in the air and workers taking a nap (or, is that just me?). However, the building actually used to make mattress springs. In 2004, Plazacorp converted this old factory into sixty-four units. Most of the units have soaring, 10 to 15-foot high ceilings, and several units are two-storeys. The developers worked hard to preserve as much character as possible, so lovers of hard lofts will not be disappointed with the exposed ductwork, high ceilings, and airy windows.
Foundry Lofts
The Location: 1100 Lansdowne Ave. At the corner of Lansdowne and Davenport. Located just south of Earlscourt Park and east of the Junction, this building is great for families. A number of townhouses have been built more recently right behind the foundry lofts, and along with them, a large park for children and a cafe and restaurant makes this corner of Toronto feel like its own little community.
The Building: Built around the turn of the last century, this building was an impressive steel factory. Still today, it looks like a train station, with a large centre hall platform that runs the length of the building. The Foundry Loft easily has the most impressive common space area of any west-end lofts. In the middle of the building, off of which all the units have their entrances, is a large atrium, where large things made out of steel, such as train cars, were built. When you spend time in this building, it is easy to imagine the hustle and bustle of the old factory. In 2008, E-Park Development Corporation converted this building into condos. There are 104 units over three stories, ranging in size from 550 square feet to over 2400 square feet. The units have characteristically high ceilings, large windows and exposed brick. Many small families call this building home because of the number of two-bedroom units.
Candy Factory Lofts
The Location: 993 Queen St. West. In the heart of Queen West, at the corner of Queen and Shaw. Walk out the door and stumble into Trinity Bellwoods park, or go shopping in any number of iconic small businesses that line this stretch of queen west.
The Building: In the 1930’s Ce De Candy Company produced delicious treats, such as rockets and Fizzers (yum yum). In 1999, the Metro Ontario Group converted this building into loft units. The Candy Factory remains one of Toronto’s most popular hard loft buildings for quintessential loft features such as high ceilings, wide-plank hardwood floors, and exposed brick and beam construction. There are 121 units, most of which are quite large and boast soaring 12-14 ft tall ceilings.
Toy Factory
The Location: 43 Hanna. Located right in the middle of Liberty village, 43 Hanna is the hub of a busy neighbourhood that sits just south of King St and east of Strachan.
The Building: 43 Hanna is a collection of three buildings put together, including an old toy factory and a newer building built to look like an old loft. You’d never know it, though, because the buildings are connected, and once you’re inside, it feels like one large building. Built in the early 1900s, Lanterra Developments converted the toy factory in 2008 into 213 units. These units feature steel beam construction, high ceilings, and natural light. The units in the newer building also have huge rooftop balconies.
Massey Lofts
The Location: 915 King. The Massey Lofts are on King St West, just east of Strachan and King. This is a quieter stretch of King but still very close to the business of King st. West, Trinity Bellwoods, and Queen St. West. It also has easy access to the lakeshore and the Gardiner expressway for people who like to get out of the city.
The Building: Built in the late 19th century, this building was the head office of the Massey Harris Farm Equipment company. Converted in 2003 into a residential building, the Massey lofts now house forty-five lofts ranging from 470 square feet to 1,077 square feet. The units in this building are often open concept and feature tall twelve-foot ceilings and huge windows. The penthouses on the top floor have two levels and soaring windows.
Noble Court Lofts
The Location: 24 Noble: Located just north of Queen and West of Dufferin, this loft is in the heart of Parkdale. It is within walking distance of many of the city’s amenities, such as the lake and downtown.
The Building: This is another old toy factory! Greenwin properties converted it into seventy-nine residential lofts in 1991. Unlike the more industrial-style lofts around the West end, these lofts feature mostly douglas fir wood posts, beams, and original hardwood floors.
Victoria Lofts
The Location: 152 Annette. This building sits at the corner of Annette and Medland. Although Annette is a relatively busy street, this building is in the heart of a quiet residential neighbourhood. Walk out the front door and be among some of the lovely homes of the Junction. A short walk north to Dundas, and you’ll be in the heart of the charming Junction neighbourhood.
The Building: The Victoria Lofts are a converted Victorian Church with a newer building attached to its back. The exterior of the old Victorian church is has been kept beautifully, to the extent that, from Annette, you may not even notice that this building is anything other than a church. Inside, thirty-four loft spaces range in size from 588 square feet to 2539 square feet. The interiors of this loft show off the original beautiful church windows exposed red brick, fireplaces and the original roof trusses.
Wallace Station Lofts
The Location: 371 Wallace. Located in The Junction triangle, the Wallace Station lofts sit right on top of the rail path and just south of the pedestrian overpass that connects the junction triangle to Dundas street. 371 Wallace is now surrounded by brand new townhouses and is within walking distance to the many cafes, restaurants and shops in the Junction Triangle.
The Building: Wallace Station is a four-storey brick building that was built in 1928. Apparently, for an adhesive factory. George Powers converted this old factory in 2007 and created thirty-eight residential units that range greatly in layout and style. Most of the units have large, industrial-style square windows, soaring ceilings, and post and beam construction.
Stockyard Lofts
The Location: 121 Prescott. this building is in the most residential area of them all. Plunked down among many two-storey semi-detached houses in the Earlscourt neighbourhoods. For all its quiet, residential charm, it is a short walk to a newly rejuvenated St. Clair west with easy streetcar access to the rest of the city.
The Building: Stockyard Lofts was built in 1910 and functioned as a tannery. In 1997, Plazacorp converted the building into twenty-seven residential units. These units have eleven-foot ceilings, original hardwood floors and exposed ductwork.
The Brock Lofts
The Location: 27-31 Brock Ave:.Another popular Parkdale loft, this building is just a block north of Queen Street and also within walking distance to Roncesvalles. Being in Parkdale, this building attracts many artists and has a thriving community of residents.
The Building: The Brock Lofts are more understated than other hard loft buildings in Toronto. This factory building housed many enterprises in its day, including a refrigerator factory and a phonograph manufacturer. Today, it houses twenty-four loft spaces that range in size from 350 to 1400 square feet. The primary features of this building are the large windows and the exposed brick walls.
Argyle Lofts
The Location: 183 Dovercourt. the Argyle Lofts are situated on a quiet residential street close to Queen St West and the Ossington strip.
The Building: If you try really hard, you might still be able to smell the bread that used to be produced in the Ideal Bread Factory here. Converted into living spaces in 2007, this hard loft building features exposed ductwork, large windows and high ceilings. The main-floor units also often have walk-outs to private terraces.
loftArch Lofts
The Location: 245 Perth. This old church is located smack-dab in the middle of the residential streets of the Junction Triangle. Walk to Lansdowne subways station, Bloor street, or the cafes and restaurants on Wallace Avenue.
The Building: This church was built in 1913 and hosted methodist churchgoers and, later on, seventh Day Adventists. It was converted in 2014 into residential units, with a modern building attached to the back of the building. Between the two buildings, there are forty residential suites. These units have a modern flair with all new finishes and Scavolini kitchens, but you can still see parts of the church some through the windows, the tall ceilings and the exterior of the building.
Hard loft conversions are so appealing to buyers because they are unique living spaces. They also bring us back to the history of this city, when it was a centre of industry, factories, and the church-going people who worked there. Although our city’s priorities have changed, the love for these old buildings remains constant and converting them into residential living spaces keeps this history alive.
As always, stay safe
Robyn VanderVennen
