660 PAPE AVE., NO. 101
WHAT: A 1,800-square-foot, multi-level loft in the southwest corner of a century-old church in Riverdale. It features a one-bedroom plus den plan with street-level access.
ASKING PRICE: $774,900
TAXES: $3,749 (2009)
AGENT: Edwin Brdlik, Toronto Lofts Realty Corp.
Authentic lofts are unique living spaces by definition, but those in churches are even more exceptional, says Edwin Brdlik, owner of Toronto Lofts Realty Corp.
This one-bedroom plus den suite in The Glebe Lofts is a prime example with an inventive five-level design – with street access, southwest exposures, and both open and private spaces – that is sure to attract buyers “looking for a very unique space that you won't find anywhere else at all in the city, particularly steps to the Danforth,” says Mr. Brdlik.
This 1,800-square-foot residence is among a collection of 32 units created within the one-time Riverdale Presbyterian Church, constructed at the corner of Pape and Harcourt avenues in 1912 and expanded in 1920.
The congregation had dwindled and the church fallen into disrepair when a project to renovate the property was begun in 2004. Now, only the north portion of the Gothic revival building operates as a place of worship while the rest has been transformed into loft condominiums.
“There are seven church conversions in the city, and probably, we'll be seeing more,” says Mr. Brdlik. “They're very popular because they're on leafy green residential streets versus many other types of conversions of factories and warehouses, which used to be in former industrial areas.”
The Glebe is just south of Danforth Avenue, which is packed with popular Greek restaurants, specialty grocers and cafes, along with boutiques, businesses and the subway.
Buses do stop on the east side of the church along Pape Avenue, but residents in this particular loft would hardly notice.
“We're on the southwest corner, so the street we're facing onto is a small one-way street … so there's very little traffic there,” Mr. Brdlik explains. “It's on the quiet side of the building.”
The historic landmark retains its brick façade and large arched windows, while the interior was divided up, for the most part, into one- and two-storey lofts.
Unit 101 is laid out across five levels with nine- to over 16-foot ceilings. “It's quite rare to have this amount of different levels,” says Mr. Brdlik. “Usually you're on one [level], maybe two.”
The loft's main entrance off the building corridor opens into a long foyer with 16-foot ceilings, a powder room and two steps leading up to the bedroom landing.
From there, the landing has one set of stairs leading up to a combined breakfast area and kitchen, while another heads down to the open living room directly below.
Down another flight is an open den.
“You can have a large loft, but if it's all on one level and open concept, people often say ‘I'd like to get some separation and I'd like to be able to get some privacy,'” says Mr. Brdlik.
“This has the best of both because … it is open concept on the level you're on, but you still have the beauty of the separation of the space.”
The master bedroom is enclosed for the most part, except where the walls separating the hall stop several feet short of the ceiling and a large cutout above an entertainment niche opens to the kitchen area.
“It has a lot of unique … spatial details and architectural details,” Mr. Brdlik notes.
Since many churches have large windows in some areas and none in others, some lofts can be dark. This one has the benefit of sunlight steaming in from two directions.
The living room has three walkouts to a wraparound patio surrounded by planting beds and wrought iron fencing with a gate to the sidewalk.
“You can just go directly into the unit without having to go through the front of the building, up the steps, down the hall and through some doors,” says Mr. Brdlik, who notes that this is especially convenient for owners taking pets down the street to Withrow Park.
“Almost everybody seems to have a dog in the neighbourhood, and many in the building.”
The interior decor consists of exposed brick walls paired with modern upgrades, from hardwood, cork and berber carpets on the floors to custom stainless steel appliances, counters and island with a raised breakfast bar.
The original owner and seller also swapped the original fireplace in the living room for a custom gas unit with a brick surround, and gutted the master bathroom where there is a glass shower stall and sunken whirlpool tub.
Special to The Globe and Mail
