Okay, so I am biased about loft living. I have owned and lived in the Toy Factory Lofts in Toronto’s Liberty Village since 2008. If you love real estate, with the right developer, there is beautiful balance that can be struck between old, authentic structures steeped in history. It’s all about that exposed brick and beam, that a Toronto loft offers, combined with a modern, contemporary “newness”.
Related: Buying in the suburbs: passing trend or here to stay?
Heritage meets modern
Walk around the core – not everyone gets it right. Heritage structures, and how well they are saved and incorporated into a new cityscape, is one of the things that makes Toronto real estate special and unique, from an urban development perspective.
That’s why when I am sent a property like 200 Clinton St., for sale under the deft direction of RE/MAX Hallmark Bibby Group Realty, my radar clicks on. The Button Factory is both authentic and unique. This home is part of a small, curated collection of only 13 residences in a gated community, near Palmerston and Little Italy.
Button Factory’s rich history
“The neighbours helped name the building when it was being converted, as children in the area would come and visit parents or relatives working in the garment factory (at the time), and were offered a penny for each button they picked up off the ground,” says Christopher Bibby (416-481-0888, chris@mytorontocondo.com). “Everybody referred to it then as the Button Factory.”
The living room is the centre piece of the home, with soaring ceilings – a dream space for entertainers. The rooftop terrace (with electronic sun shade) offers stunning and tranquil south residential views of the CN Tower and downtown core.
The highlights
- 200 Clinton St., Unit 12, Toronto, near Palmerston and Little Italy
- Condo townhouse
- Main floor with large formal living room and expansive dining area, custom lighting installation
- Stainless steel appliances – fridge, gas stove, range hood, dishwasher, wine fridge, microwave, washer/dryer
- Two bedrooms, two spa-like bathrooms
- Hardwood floors
- Private parking
- 24-foot ceilings
- Between 1400-1599 square feet
- MLS#: C4745609
- List price: $1,625,000
Investment pluses: Central location, high walkability factor, unique loft conversion
I am a 50-something Torontonian who loves everything about my city. It’s been my home, my playground, for my entire life. I went to school here. I met my wife here. I own real estate here. I love writing about the transformation of my city on the world stage, which hasn’t been anything short of dramatic. That continues on, as I write this. I write on the real estate scene. I write on travel and fashion. I like following the world of luxury watches.
But I love writing about cars – check that, luxury cars, a level of superior, engineering sophistication, high performance and style, that transports you not just from one destination to another but also out of whatever you are going through on a particular day, whatever mood you are in, all to another head space. It’s complete and total exhilaration, head to toe.
Check out my stories, and email me direct at mkeast@regardingluxury.com
