Home Sweet Button Factory In Little Italy
offered at $840,000As the city’s original pioneer in the sales, marketing and development of Innovative Spaces – and a realtor for over 24 years – I experience first hand the challenge in finding those one-of-a-kind properties that are extremely rare to market. Like the magical lofts in The Button Factory, which was my first brick and beam conversion in the mid 1990s. Lofts like these rarely come to market, such that if you pause too long to act you may very well not see something like it for another decade or longer.
I have enormous affection for The Button Factory. Back in 1993 I was engaged to assist in the concept, sales and marketing of this charming loft conversion where the 13 lofts share a mews walkway spanning Clinton Street to Jersey on the other end. In the original sales program the lofts were sold as ‘shells’, such that buyers were able to custom design and finish to their taste. This allowed some measure of affordability where artists could acquire a basic loft as studio space, while affluent white collar professionals could get their own version of a dream loft built to suit. Plus there were the buyers in between – the creative professionals – who tailored their units over time as their incomes allowed. I was one of those buyers. You can read my own journey rejuvenating The Button Factory .
Located west of Bathurst Street north of College on Clinton Street in the Little Italy, this stylish loft is in proximity to all the amenities for urban life. Superbly situated, this residence is a short stroll to the Christie subway station or the 506 streetcar serving College Street, and just south of the Harbord Street bicycle lanes that run west to Ossington or east towards the University of Toronto and Queen’s Park. It’s around the corner to Bickford Park, and Christie Pits and Korea town are just at the top of Grace one street west. Some of the city’s very best restaurants dot Harbord Street both east and west of the property, and to the southeast is Kensington Market, regarded as Toronto’s most dynamic multicultural fresh food markets.
At the bottom of Clinton is College Street, once regaled as one of the country’s Top 5 hippest neighbourhoods. From Markham Street west to Shaw Street, there are numerous sidewalk cafes, including Kalendar Cafe, Cafe Diplomatico, La Carnita, and Sicilian Ice Cream. There is a small plaza with a Shoppers Drug Mart and 24-hour Metro Grocer on the south side of College between Shaw and Crawford. At Clinton, on the north side, is the Royal Repertory Cinema, which was recently renovated and has an upgraded projection system as it is used for movie editing purposes during the day and repertory cinema in the evenings. Also at the bottom of the street steps away are Giancarlo’s Wine Bar and Woodlot, all stellar restaurants with patios. Literally, everything you require for a domestic life of bliss – including a liquor store – is within walking distance for this loft. How amazing is that?
Welcome to 200 Clinton Street, Loft 4!
Completed in 1996, this charming factory was configured into condominium town houses by slicing the building into eleven segments, with two new units constructed at the back to accommodate garages underneath. In the original development program, buyers collectively influenced the common area design, which resulted in a breath-taking mews walkway secured by iron gates, independent front door colors as well as new decks and exclusive-use landscaping unique to each owner. Along with the shared mews walkway, there are two parking zones topped with decks and, for seven lofts, exclusive-use outdoor gardens in the former loading dock portion located on the north side of the building,
This special loft enjoys the benefit of being situated part way west from Clinton Street where it’s extremely quiet. The aspect provides a south-facing sun-dappled exposure on the mews walk, which is enhanced on the second level with a massive window. On the ground level north exposure is an additional window, though it’s the two-storey slice under a huge skylight and two banks of french doors accessing the private second floor terrace which make this loft breath-taking .
Consisting of two floor plates totaling around 1600 square feet with a private terrace of nearly 230 square feet, this exemplary loft with covered carport marries the convenience of townhouse living with the patina of a vintage brick and beam loft. On the first level, from the mews walkways one enters into an open concept L-shaped living/dining room with wood floors, 10 foot wood-beamed ceilings, exposed ductwork, original brick walls and a wood burning fireplace. There’s also a utility area, powder room and direct access to the parking space.
On the upper level, the expansive open concept second level can serve multiple uses. The lounge area lends itself to conversion into two private bedrooms if required, or an additional bedroom and media zone. Through a corridor is a skylit 4-piece washroom, and an enchanting master bedroom sanctuary with original maple floors, and access to the private terrace.
The private terrace, which has a northeast exposure, is an ideal outdoor pavilion. This outdoor oasis is stunning by day or by night, with wonderful bird song and exquisite floral scents from neighbouring yards. This is superlative near-country living in the City.
Offered for sale for the first time since it was converted, this heart-grabbing space lends itself to being occupied as-is and upgraded over time, or renovated to your own particular taste. Marrying a Triple AAA location with all the magical qualities of loft living, this unique urban space is one of the more special Toronto real estate offerings on the market right now!
Contact Steve@urbaneer.com for more info!
Want to learn more about the neighbourhood and its amenities? Here’s our Neighborhood Page on Little Italy including our flavour video, the city census data on the area, plus several past blogs on area amenities!