A Vintage Robert Watson Loft In Roncesvalles Village

Roncevalles Village itself has a deep and varied history, with interesting cultural lines that provide a distinct visual and experiential flavour to the borough.  Originating in the late 1800s, as a homestead to support the Scottish and Irish Merchant class, this area evolved over the decades to become the centre of the Polish community in Toronto, a strong cultural influence that exists even in the present day.  Neighbourhoods are dynamic, and Roncevalles Village is certainly reflective of a neighbourhood that has the momentum of change- with an evolution that harkens back over several decades, with its current cycle of revitalization really taking off in the early 1990s.

As long-time residents began to move out, the neighbourhood became quickly repopulated with residents who brought youth and who were brimming with creativity- which contributed heavily to this rapid gentrification. This hip area offers an appealing lifestyle choice: the opportunity to live downtown with all of those conveniences- but still incorporates many of the amenities that less ‘urban’ areas offer- as in proximity to the lake and rolling, plentiful green space.  The housing vibe in this neighbourhood is a visual cross section as well- where function and fashion intersect- literally- with gritty warehouses and factories morphing into lofts, peppered with slick urban cool.

Today, a stroll through the streets of Roncesvalles Village will reveal a sense of community that can be characterized by liberal, family-friendly undertones, with a decidedly urban edge that quietly and constantly pays homage to its cultural and historical roots. Storefronts are varied and visually interesting, especially along Roncevalles Avenue itself, with a delightful mix of retailers and purveyors.

Like the area that surrounds it, the Robert Watson Lofts at 363/369 Sorauren Avenue is the embodiment of that stylish transition from industrial grit to housing chic. Originally a candy factory dating back to the early 1900s, this commercial use building was converted to hard lofts in 2007. More recently a soft loft addition was incorporated at the back of the building that shines with concrete and glass. The five stories of hard lofts in the original conversion have authentic loft features, like exposed brick and soaring wood ceilings. The soft loft addition, which extends up six stories, is all about glass and concrete cool, with poured concrete and curtain walls of glass. Altogether, with the mix of hard and soft lofts, there are 153 units total. Anchoring the two buildings is greenery, in the form of a lovely courtyard and green roof garden. The two buildings also share parking, storage lockers and a host of amenities like a gym and a party room.

Residents of this building will love coming home, but will also love going out as well, because of what immediately surrounds their home; It’s close to the QEW highway and only a block south of the Dundas West streetcar that connects to the Bloor subway line or travels east straight to the central core. It’s also steps to the Bloor Go Train.

One of the things that sets this neighbourhood apart from other urban locales is its accessibility to the great outdoors. No where is this more evident than in Sorauren Park (2 buildings away), which is the heart of this vibrant community. Not only do area residents have easy access to loads of green space, perfect for strolls, outdoor play and picnics, there are park amenities aplenty- including a farmers market, sporting fields (soccer, tennis and baseball), an off-leash dog park and ice rink. There is even a fieldhouse that is host to a number of community events and programs. This park is the crown jewel of the neighbourhood, not just because of the amenities and opportunity that it offers, but because it is very much reflective of the neighbourhood that surrounds it; this park is literally the result of a commercial spot that has transitioned to another use altogether, as it is a re-vitalized former commercial site. Talk about multi-use property!

Pet owners take note: this is a great spot for you; there’s plenty of green space nearby for walks, as well as a pet-friendly policy at the Robert Watson Lofts that lets you have two pets of any size.

Where would you like to eat? Some stellar cafes are down the street and around the corner, including some of our favourites like the retro-fabulous La Cubana, Grenadier Cafe, and Pizzeria Defina (especially for lunch after a run or walk in nearby High Park)!

This 605 square foot vintage loft boasts soaring 10’6″ ceilings, concrete floors, exposed brick walls and round metal ductwork. Well-proportioned, the open plan entertainment space is thoughtfully-designed with zones for cooking, dining and relaxing. Having a south exposure, a pair of french doors opening to a juliette balcony flood the space with light. We love the linear kitchen with stainless steel appliances, breakfast bar island and granite counters. The sleeping zone, accessed by a sliding barn door, has a big window and a wall of built-in wardrobes. And the spa bath is just right!

Including one car underground parking and two deeded lockers, this rare-to-market loft is great value!

Contact steve@urbaneer.com for more info!

Want to learn more about Roncesvalles Village? Here’s our Roncesvalles 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!