A Cityvista Canvas In District Lofts At Spadina And Richmond
offered at $899,900You 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 20 years, we experience first hand the challenge in finding those one-of-a-kind properties that move beyond the ordinary, 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.
In this case, it’s finding the bricks and mortar that are sufficiently generous, appropriately situated, and offers a blank canvas located between at intersection of dreams and discriminating taste – which offers the opportunity to become jaw-dropping gorgeous.
This is that place. Welcome to 388 Richmond Street West, Loft 712.
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 – in the heart of the Fashion District (Yes, it’s still filled with loads of fashion!) – 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.
Dating as far back as the early 1800’s, this area was established by immigrants from numerous places (Jewish, Asian, Portuguese, Irish, Polish and Ukrainian), each throwing down roots in their own enclaves – including Chinatown and Kensington Market to the north – and spreading out geographically from this common beginning point. Centred on the industrialization of the Garment trade, this area is equally parts history and contemporary and features an eclectic mix of working and merchant class houses to the west and high-rise condominiums to east. Today, the Fashion District is a testament to the product of re-invention. The area is home to a number of new lofty condominiums, transforming this area since the 1990s from utilitarian to utopian, where space is coveted, edgy and cool.
For those who crave an over-sized concrete ‘n cool modern loft in the heart of the city, little 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.
This seventh level loft is the third largest suite in the complex. Being a two-storey slice featuring south, north and west exposures, this dynamic concrete and glass cube envelope with ceiling heights up to around 20 feet boasts around 1800 square feet of interior space plus a sun drenched outdoor south-facing terrace, resulting in nearly 2000+ square feet of unparalleled opportunity. On the loft’s first level, the entry opens into a gracious foyer, a 2-piece, and a well-proportioned den that can easily be used as a third bedroom. The open concept entertainment space has an efficient U-shaped kitchen, a open plan 2-storey dining space with a living area that connects to the panoramic terrace with terrific CN Tower sight lines. On the upper level, a second bedroom with exceptional views, and stunning master bedroom suite with walk-in closet makes this a dreamy place for Sunday slumbers.
Without a doubt, this is a spectacular marriage of light, space and volume. Boasting expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, maple floors and soaring ceilings, this jaw-dropping airy space is a superb setting for your collection of furnishings and art. With hard to find gas cooking – and gas barbecue hook-up – this offering is all about acquiring square footage and elevating it into your own. Uniquely unparalleled and impossible to replicate, this will become the next Dream Home for only one fortunate buyer. Could it be you?
Contact Steve@urbaneer.com for more info!
Have you met Queen West yet? If you don’t know this area very well, here’s our Neighbourhood Page on Queen West including our flavour video, the city census data on the area, plus several past blogs on area amenities! And consider checking out our other Neighbourhood Pages!
Want a crash course in the market? Here’s a Dear Urbaneer post called Why Is The Toronto Real Estate Market So Hot?