An Authentic Creative Loft In Brockton Village
offered at $TORONTO LIFE Rental Of The Week!
Being an active agent of change is an exciting prospect; it means sitting ahead of the curve and having a bird’s eye view of what’s coming next. When you translate that to real estate, it means identifying and determining trends before and as they happen. This is what it’s like in Brockton Village, which is experiencing the vitality of a new life cycle; it’s kind of a cool perspective to witness that evolution from the inside out. This authentic loft at 20 Brockton Avenue is an extension of that vibe – where the aesthetic meets the pragmatic through conversion.
Welcome to 20 Brockton Avenue, Loft 13.
Change has always been a present force in this neighbourhood. Brockton Village and neighbouring Bloor Lansdowne & Wallace Emerson was first characterized as a working class enclave for Portuguese and Italian immigrants through the 1950s and 1960s. It took a bit of a step backwards through the 1990s and 2000s, as the neighbourhood cycle chugged along. And now the circle comes around, with this neighbourhood in full-on revitalization mode- with the energy to match. Today, the residents are simultaneously diverse and inclusive- with representation across all of the subcultures. This vibrant enclave is progressive and festive, and hosts a number of events, like the Chalk the Block Festival in May and the Toronto Queer Arts Festival every August.
South of Bloor is Brockton Village proper, bordered by Dufferin and Lansdowne. It’s the perfect spot for the curious who love to wander- not necessarily seeking a destination – but an experience, like that to be had at one of this neighbourhood’s many quirky cafes, restaurants and shops. Some of our favourite spots? We like the sweet and savoury treats from OMG Baked Goodness Ltd. and the Brazil Bakery and Pastry. Pick up cool custom-designed cards and paper goods home studio shop at Made in Brockton Village. Meet for a craft beer with friends at your neighbourhood haunt – which in this case is the Wallflower Bar or 3 Speed – which also has a great patio.
Every awesome neighbourhood has its share of green space, and Brockton Village delivers, with MacGregor Park with its fieldhouse, baseball diamonds, playground and wading pool. Also nearby is 1.5 hectare McCormick Park, with ample green space, ball diamond, two basketball courts, a wading pool and a children’s playground. There is also a recreation centre with an arena and indoor pool.
Public transport is only a short jaunt away, just steps through the lane to the Dundas Streetcar line.
This warehouse conversion was originally one L-shaped building when it was carved into two back in the mid 1980s by developer David Jackson with artist Betty Kaser. Designed specifically as spaces for artists, the 18 units – divided vertically into 2 and 3 level townhouse configurations – allowed the original Buyers the opportunity to custom design their own units as it suited their needs. A number of the original Buyers were painters, sculptors, and photographers – some of whom still occupy their lofts today – who celebrated the functionality of their lofts as much as the aesthetic.
Given this location was considered ‘marginal’ back in 1985, the 18 units – which range from 1100 to over 2200 square feet (one was even split into two units) – were converted using basic finishes to keep the spaces affordable. Retaining the original warehouse details of wood plank ceilings, and maple or concrete floors, most of these spaces were elevated into contemporary domiciles by puncturing two-storey lightwells and skylights, creating modern open fluid zones serving any number of uses. Now, twenty years later – just as the neighbourhood has gentrified into a hip destination for the cultural intelligentsia – many of these generous lofts have also been transformed into high-style settings serving today’s mise-en-scene.
Loft 13 is one of the larger units, with 1756 square feet. From the entry level, one steps into a massive airy two-storey space where a renovated kitchen takes centre stage. A massive entertainment space with rustic wood beamed ceilings and a 3-piece washroom is located on this level too – in an area that was formerly a photographer’s studio. In fact, given how rare it is to find these kinds of volume of space, we could see a prospective tenant using this area as their studio incubator for their own creative endeavours. On the upper level are two generous spaces which can serve as work or living spaces, plus a private bedroom and a renovated bath. We adore the two atrium lightwell, the 4 skylights and the ceiling heights which vault from 11 feet to an astonishing 24 feet.
Offered for lease at $3800 per month + utilities, with one car surface parking, this exceptional residence is ideally suited to those in the creative sphere of the arts, design and media. Available for occupancy March 1, 2018!
Contact James@urbaneer.com for more info!
Want to learn more about Brockton Village? Here’s our Brockton Village Neighbourhood Page featuring our flavour video, city census data on the area plus past amenity blogs! And for more, here are our other Neighbourhood Pages in the City of Toronto! We adore Toronto real estate!