Pinch Me Penthouse In the Fashion District
*Featured in the NYTimes and TorontoLife!
You are uncompromising in your tastes, and unwavering in identifying what you want.
According to 'those in the know' the items you have listed as domestic wishes and desires that, by virtue of their fantastical uniqueness, are rare . Throw in the extra condition- that they must all be contained under one roof, words like ‘scarce’ and ‘unlikely’ may start to get thrown around.
As the city's original pioneers in the sales, marketing and development of Innovative Spaces over the past 17 years, we experience first hand the challenge in finding those one-of-a-kind properties that move beyond descriptive language reserved for more common dwellings - the ubiquitous 'upgraded' or occasional 'original model suite', but are truly deserving of the "so dreamy we keep pinching ourselves" superlative. These are the properties that come to market few and far between.
Just like when you meet your mate, you just know it- and urgency is implied both by the s!carcity of the find- and by the good fortune to have found it.
So in heading off on this treasure hunt, it is best to have a map. What are your domestic wishes and desires? Do you envision yourself living in a crisp contemporary modern loft? You already know the city has a fairly limited pool of available quality product, especially given that you want to be in the very centre of the City, but it can't be just any loft because you really want some outdoor space...and not one of those tiny balconies that are only good for checking the weather but something expansive where you can host dinner parties, or maybe even throw that cocktail party or wine tasting you've always been meaning to do. And, of course, the opportunity to barbecue is essential to indulge your passion for entertaining, even though the City's fire codes are so restrictive it's nearly impossible to find. Don't forget there should be enough sun-drenched space to grow those fresh herbs that make your culinary skills shine.
And, well, now that you're dreaming, maybe the terrace is surrounded by the twinkling lights of the City and your friends are drinking champagne looking at you like you've just won the lottery because you're just that lucky. Geez, you sigh dreamily, knowing by now that you might actually have to win the lottery in order to get a place that spectacular but, allowing yourself one final indulgent wish that would make it so impossibly dreamy you'd have to pinch yourself...it would have a front row centre seat of the evening CN Tower light show....
No need to wake up. Apparently there is an intersection between dreams and discriminating taste- and it is made of bricks and mortar.
For those who crave a concrete 'n cool modern loft in the heart of the city, nothing beats living in District Lofts on Richmond Street West. Completed in 2001 by Context Developments and designed by Architects Alliance, this 14 storey high 148 unit U-shaped twin-tower condominium won numerous awards for its cutting edge styling and urban design. Arranged as two narrow slabs perched atop a base that features retail at grade plus two levels of parking, followed by single level lofts and the exercise and party room amenity spaces, the remaining tower lofts are all two-storey through units with corridors on every second level facing into the courtyard. Featuring rows of cantilevered balconies on both the north and south side, monopitch roofs sloping toward the interior courtyard, and four exterior bridges linking the two slabs as part of the fire exiting system, District Lofts represents a distilled essence in contemporary living.
Located in the central west quadrant of the city centre on the north west corner of Richmond Street West and Spadina Avenue, 388 Richmond Street West is a quick streetcar ride to the financial core or University of Toronto, a short stroll to hip King and Queen West for shopping or delectable dining, and moments to the Gardiner Expressway, providing speedy access to the airport or cottage country. In proximity to the Theatre District, Scotiabank Cinema, Harbourfront, and the Rogers Centre, and around the corner from some of the City's finest restaurants, this is literally living in the centre of it all.
This top floor loft is one of only twelve one-of-a-kind penthouses in the complex. 14 floors high, the penthouses are set back on the thirteenth level to provide expansive outdoor terraces. These premiere two-storey slices feature a sloped roof and both north and south exposures, resulting in a dynamic concrete and glass cube envelope with ceiling heights up to around 12 feet topped with a skylight.
Spreading out through 1700 square feet of interior space plus over 300 square feet of sun drenched outdoor living, the result is 2000+ square feet of space offering an unparalleled opportunity . On the loft's first level, the entry opens into a gracious reception room with a double closet, a spacious laundry / storage room, a well-proportioned cityvista second bedroom with custom built-in desk and shelving, a calibre three-piece washroom and a stunning master bedroom suite. This indulgent private sanctuary with generous ensuite washroom and extensive custom walk-in closet features a gas fireplace with elegant mantle and enormous south-facing fenestration. It's a dreamy place for Sunday slumbers.
Up the maple tread stairs; the open concept entertainment area is a spectacular marriage of light, space and volume. Boasting expansive floor-to-ceiling windows on two exposures, maple floors and soaring ceilings, this jaw-dropping airy space is a superb setting for your collection of furnishings and art, along with a significant custom media centre with flat screen television and luxe gas fireplace. The open concept yet defined maple cabinet kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances (and hard to find gas cooking!) and substantial island keeps you front and centre with your guests, making entertaining a truly social affair. In addition, there's a private two-piece washroom nestled in the northwest corner.
The substantial terrace, featured in Canada Home & Garden, is accessed through two pairs of sliding glass doors; the terrace is sun-drenched from dawn through the late afternoon, until the sun arcs over to the northwest taking the heat off, making it the best exposure for evening entertaining. Featuring two lounge areas and custom landscaping including a nod to the 'Canadian shield', this terrace with a gas barbecue line is all about Bright Lights Big City, with its spectacular twinkling post-card city vista that features the high-rises of the financial district and the light-show of the CN Tower. It's perfect for stargazing cocktails or afternoon relaxation with a pot of coffee and a stack of books. Reclining on the lounger feels a bit like being deck-side on an ocean-liner, arriving at your port of call.
Having reasonable common fees of $948 per month + gas/hydro, one car underground parking and separately deeded locker, this panoramic penthouse loft is uniquely unparalleled and impossible to replicate. This will become the next Dream Home for only one fortunate buyer. Could it be you?
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