10 Toronto Lofts You’ll Fall in Love With

By Josh Sherman | 4 minute read

The Toy Factory Lofts building in Toronto’s west end earns its name from the time when it was literally a toy factory.

For homebuyers seeking something a little different than the typical cookie-cutter condo, lofts are a popular choice.

In Toronto’s real estate market, loft lovers are spoiled. They’re got lots of options to choose from. Many of the city’s older industrial and commercial buildings have been converted into lofts. These are known as hard lofts and have the characteristics that probably come to mind when someone mentions a loft: exposed brick and beams, concrete finishes, and warehouse-style windows, to name a few. There are also so-called soft lofts in more recent residential developments.

Recently, Wahi scanned Toronto real estate listings to find 10 lofts you’ll fall in love with. Check them out below.

1. 43 Hanna Ave., Unit 207

List price: $1,099,000
The building: Toy Factory Lofts
The loft: Lanterra Developments wasn’t playing around when, in 2005, the builder converted the original Irwin Toy factory into the Toy Factory Lofts, ultimately winning several awards for the mixed-use project. Unit 207 has a one-bedroom-plus-den layout spanning approximately 1,000 square feet of brick-and-beam living space right in the heart of Toronto’s formerly industrial Liberty Village neighbourhood. 

2. 637 Lake Shore Blvd., Unit 208

List price: $999,900

The building: Tip Top Lofts

The loft: The Tip Top Lofts, a former tailoring business’ 11-storey headquarters, is known for its intricate Art Deco styling. It has become one of the city’s most iconic loft buildings, unmistakable with its restored signage sitting askew on the roof. This customized one-bedroom-plus-den unit 208 lives up to the building’s stellar reputation. It has bespoke fixtures, soaring 13.5-foot ceilings, and lots of exposed concrete. 

3. 289 Sumach St., Unit 1

List price: $1,549,000

The building: Sumach Lofts

The loft: Once home to the Ontario Medical College for women in the 1890s, 289 Sumach St. became the Sumach Lofts in the mid-’80s. This nearly 1,700-square-foot two-bedroom suite has a wood-burning fireplace and renovated kitchen and bathrooms. It also features a rare private entrance off the walkway. Adding to the privacy is the building’s boutique scale. There are only 10 lofts in this building, which is tucked away on the edge of the desirable Cabbagetown neighbourhood.

4. 468 Wellington St., Unit 300

List price: $7,749,000

The building: Butterick Building Lofts

The loft: Smack dab in the middle of Toronto’s Fashion District and named for the once-prominent local textile industry, the classic red-brick Butterick Building Lofts is steps from many of Toronto’s major attractions and amenities. The three-bedroom loft’s interior is a blend of old and new. Exposed brick and wood meet dark, modern finishes. Many real estate listings claim a home is one-of-a-kind, but in this case, the statement is true: all 11 dwellings in the Butterick Building first hit the market as raw spaces which the buyers could then complete to their taste.

5. 90 Sherbourne St., Unit 203

List price: $1,075,000
The building: Imperial Lofts

The loft: Here’s a two-bedroom loft where the historic St. Lawrence Market is right at your doorstep. The building itself features some neat touches, such as a vintage elevator and rooftop patio with barbecue area, and the 1,100-square-foot suite has hardwood floors, brick walls, and a sliding industrial-style door to one of two bedrooms.

6. 781 King St., Unit 209

List price: $770,000

The building: Gotham Vintage Lofts

The loft: You’ll feel like Bruce Wayne owning this roughly 800-square-foot suite in an exclusive King West building. Built in the early 20th century, today the exclusive condo building has earned a reputation for low turnover. Admittedly, the unit shows its age — but with hard lofts, that’s kind of the point. A yellow-brick statement wall with a unique glass-brick window adds to the home’s character.

7. 383 Sorauren Ave., Unit 810

List price: $989,000

The building: 383 Sorauren Condos

The loft: For homebuyers looking for a newer build but with the cool character of a loft conversion, this two-bath, two-bed soft loft in the Sorauren Condos might be just the thing. It’s got contemporary finishes and floor-to-ceiling windows juxtaposed with raw exposed concrete ceilings.

8. 183 Dovercourt Rd., Unit 211

List price: $749,900

The building: Argyle Lofts
The loft: Dating back to 1873, the Argyle is among the oldest Toronto buildings to be converted into lofts, a transformation that took place much more recently, in 2007. This airy two-bed, two-bath residence has soaring 13-foot ceilings where you’ll see exposed ductwork, which echoes the building’s former use as a turn-of-the-century bread factory.

9. 264 Seaton St., Unit 204

List price: $1,595,000

The building: Evening Telegram Lofts

The loft: At just two storeys, the Evening Telegram lofts is one of the smaller conversions in Toronto. But Unit 204 is anything but small: it stretches over 1,700 square feet and three levels. The ceilings reach a maximum of 15 feet, and, above that, there’s a private rooftop terrace. 

There are two entrances to the multi-level loft, so you could rent out one floor (that might come in handy for covering the towering maintenance fees of $1,500 per month). Other perks include an in-home spa, eight-by-10-foot tinted skylight, custom ironwork — the list goes on and on.

10. 24 Noble St., Unit 304

List price: $729,000

The building: Noble Court Lofts

The loft: The most affordable loft on our list, the list price for Unit 304 in the Noble Court Lofts matches the GTA-wide average for condos, proving that you don’t necessarily have to pay a premium for something a little different. The approximately 600-square-foot unit is totally open-concept to maximize the brick-and-beam space. As a plus, the unit’s lone washroom has been updated.