200 Clinton St., No. 8, Toronto
What: This authentic townhouse loft contains 1,700-square-feet of living space spread across two levels, including two bedrooms, three bathrooms and open principal rooms, plus a nearly 400-square-foot backyard.
Asking price: $989,000
Taxes: $4,231 (2010)
Agent: Steven Fudge, Bosley Real Estate Ltd.
When this former button factory in Little Italy was being converted into residential condominiums, buyers were given creative control to custom design their townhouse lofts and were even asked for their input on the construction of the common areas.
This personal involvement in the development of the property is one of several reasons that has kept many of the original owners from selling their suites, including this unique two-storey loft.
“There are only 13 units and just under half of them have never come on the market since this conversion 13 years,” says agent Steven Fudge.
“There are probably about 10 to 15 buildings in the city that have this kind of set up, and in total, less than 100 units in the city.”
What visitors will immediately notice is that this early 20th century, brick structure is situated in a mature, residential neighbourhood filled with everything from parks to cafes.
“For someone who really wants to be in a premium location with an interesting space, this is one of a handful of buildings available,” says Mr. Fudge.
“What makes this one particularly desirable is that you can walk down to a five-star restaurant or a little Italian café. Or you can walk up a block and catch the subway.”
Like the other units, this one has the traits of a traditional low-rise home with a street-level entrance off a gated mews walkway.
“There are no elevators or common hallways,” adds Mr. Fudge. “It feels a bit more like an English Mews, and I don’t know of many other projects like that.”
Inside, this 1,700-square-foot space was essentially sold to the owner as an empty shell with original exposed brick walls and wood posts, beams and ceilings 11-feet high.
“No unit is like any other, but this particular unit has over $250,000 in upgrades,” says Mr. Fudge. “Light, ceiling height and outdoor space are three most desirable features that people are looking for, so the [owner] made sure what they purchased and developed accommodated that.”
For instance, this unit is located at the middle of the complex, yet it has natural light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows and patio doors facing south and north respectively.
There are also skylights in the two bathrooms upstairs and a pitched roof with eight skylights above a central two-storey atrium.
“There’s always light coming into the unit,” says Mr. Fudge. “The opportunity of finding that in most architecture, even in traditional housing, is quite rare.”
The natural elements can be brought indoors by opening the remote controlled skylights – which are also equipped with rain sensors – or 10-foot-high mahogany French doors off the kitchen.
The owner can also venture outside to a nearly 400-square-foot backyard – a rare asset in an authentic loft building.
“The most desirable feature of this – for someone wanting a loft – is to be able to get this amount of outdoor space, particularly something that’s on the ground,” says Mr. Fudge.
A custom awning and original warehouse windows provide shelter above a deck finished with a custom stainless steel gas barbecue, storage and lighting. There’s a lush garden and pea-gravel seating area for those in search of open-air relaxation.
“The north side is wrapped in trees and a brick wall,” says Mr. Fudge. “It’s always really quiet and you don’t even know you’re in the city.”
The mix of steel, glass, brick and wood outside carries on inside in an artful marriage of vintage aesthetics and contemporary conveniences.
The living room features wood ceilings with six surround-sound speakers and custom wood valances with full height curtains. Opened, the curtains frame a wall of windows; closed, they create an enclosed foyer.
Heated slate floors flow throughout the space and into the kitchen and dining area, which displays exposed brick walls, custom upgraded mahogany and white lacquer cabinetry and stainless steel counters with Bosch appliances, including a gas stove.
“It’s large enough to accommodate a dining table for 16,” adds Mr. Fudge.
The clawfoot tub in the master suite is strategically placed by a half wall, allowing bathers to see out the skylights at the top of the atrium or into the entertaining space below.
A floor-to-ceiling custom mahogany built-in wardrobe unit with organizers capitalizes on the bedroom’s high ceiling to maximize storage. The same is done with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves by the windows.
With the loft in move-in condition and the exterior grounds and garage maintained with funds from a monthly fee of $561, Mr. Fudge expects that a busy professional, like the seller, or a couple downsizing from a large house will enjoy its carefree lifestyle.
“This is the kind of property where if you’re travelling a lot, you don’t have to worry too much about the property,” says Mr. Fudge.
“Your neighbours will keep an eye on things while you’re away, and you don’t have to have someone constantly coming by to cut the grass or shovel the sidewalk if you’re out of town.”
