An Ethereal Movie House Loft In Little Italy

In the mid-1990s I was engaged to assist in the conversion of The Movie House Live/Work Lofts located on the north-west corner of College and Euclid in Little Italy.

Back then the neighbourhood was transitioning into one of the City’s hippest neighbourhoods. Cafe culture was just beginning to be embraced by Torontonians well before Starbucks was on our radar. And this super fantastic area, which at the time was a domestic blend of cottages, semi’s and merchant class manses had zero condominiums, outside of the Button Factory which was the first conversion I helped convert in 1995. So when we put up the ‘Coming Soon’ banner advertising the imminent arrival of 18 affordable vintage lofts, the phone rang off the hook by young local renters keen to get their foot in the market without having to leave the ‘hood. In fact, Urbaneer sold out most of the project within four hours.

And I fell in love with one of the ground floor lofts with a private terrace… so it was purchased as the HQ for urbaneer.com! After 18 happy years – and a well-appointed luxury renovation – I’m ready to move on to a new challenge!

Welcome to 394 Euclid Avenue!

This custom designed loft – substantially gutted and refurbished into a ’boutique hotel’ escape in 2011 – is located in Prime Little Italy, just three streets (or one stop light) from Bathurst Street on the corner of College and Euclid Avenues. Situated in a central uber-hip neighbourhood with fantastic shopping amenities and a short stroll from the incredible lush Trinity Bellwoods Park, 394 Euclid 101 has a Walk Score of 97 out of 100, or, ‘Very Walkable‘.

This location is so steeped in amenities that daily errands do not require a car (although I’ve had a street parking permit for $13 a month and always secured a spot on the block since 1997). It’s a 30 second walk to the 306 Carlton and the 506 Carlton streetcars at the College and Euclid Avenue stop, or a ten minute stroll to the Bathurst Street subway station. If you’re flying in from Porter Airlines on the Island Airport, the cab will whisk you straight up Bathurst Street and one stop light east. The closest grocery store selling organic products is fifty steps at Magnolia Fine Foods, with a bodega on the corner, or it’s a twelve minute walk to a Metro grocer. It’s located in a building with a recently-renovated charmingly comfortable Starbucks, across the street from both an Aroma Espresso Bar and the new amazing healthy Village Juicery. And yes, it’s just 82 steps to a liquor store.

Without question, this is bright-lights big-city convenience!

There are 251 restaurants within a 15 minute walk including our favourites –> Kalendar, La Carnita, Chabichou, Saving Grace, and Giancarlo’s. Newcomer Bar Raval is also a standout. Once you’re full of delicious offerings from one of these establishments, explore one of the many unique shops and alternative spaces along College Street. Music lovers will revel in the live funk and grooving beats of The Orbit Room or the vintage offerings of June Records, while movie fans will delight in the Royal repertory cinema which is located two blocks away!

Situated at the intersections of design, city and culture, with the intimacy of a family compound and the discretion of a boutique hotel, this domestic ‘I Dream Of Genie’ bottle features 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Boasting 1100-square-feet over 3 levels, this understated, near-perfect bespoke luxury loft is enveloped in exquisite custom millwork, massive crown moldings, ethereal linen draperies + a ‘Silver Leaf’ ceiling. Bathed in light from a breath-taking 2-storey arched window with French doors that connect to a private street-level terrace wrapped in three custom-made screens made by Thingmaker Dave Hind (Here’s that story called The Perfect Patio At My Movie House Loft), this is nothing less than heart-grabbing!

There’s a comprehensive blog which shares all sort of particulars about my turned out space, which reflects both my attention to detail and my love for living in a thoughtfully-executed best-of-everything urbane towne. I dropped $50,000 into a dreamy kitchen that has loads of storage, a 5-burner gas cooktop, a wine fridge and a built-in bar. A small fortune was invested in the mezzanine loft bedroom suite which has custom everything including glass railings, custom wardrobes, built-in drawers and a kick-ass flat screen tv and sound-system (all which are included with the sale!). Both washrooms are gorgeous! And the lower level bedroom is beloved by guests, though it also is fitted as a home office where the hidden technology-centre is set-up and wired for wi-fi and the scanner/printer.

I’m going to be unapologetic here with all these features, but once you read this you’ll understand how an investment of nearly $250,000 translates into bespoke gorgeousness!

Custom Upgrades and My Favorite Features Include:

Custom Kitchen by Diamond

• Liebherr Built-in Paneled Fridge/Freezer
• Kitchenaid Paneled Silent dishwasher
• 5 Burner Gas Kitchenaid Cooktop
• Stainless Built-in Oven
• Stainless Microwave/Exhaust
• Stainless Avantgarde 19 Bottle Wine Fridge
• Casearstone Counters
• Quartersawn Oak Veneer ‘Modern Barnboard’ Cabinetry Feature
• 6 Shoe Drawers (30-40 Pairs)
• Coat Closet
• Pantry with Electrical
• Liquor Cabinet With Electrical, Slide-In Doors & Chopping Drawer (Alternative Appliance Garage)
• Blue Bin Cabinet Above Fridge
• Ample Floating Glass Shelves With Under-Cabinet Lighting (On Dimmers) And Hidden Electrical Outlets
• Mirror Backsplash And Ample Upper Compartments On 2 Walls
• Floating Pendant Light

Living Space

• Massive Crown Moldings And ‘Silverleaf’ Wallpaper Ceiling
• Diaphanous Draperies
• Steel Art Rail
• Recessed Spotlights In Mezzanine Built-Ins Lighting 2-Storey Living Zone

Dining Space

• Brushed Metal Track Lighting for Your Art Collection
• Paneled Wall With Art Rail Through to Kitchen
• Glass Partition Wall (disclose no railings)
• Dark Stained Maple Floors

Garden Patio

• Under a Canopy of Mature Maples That change colour with the season
• Designed By Landscape Architect Dan Nuttall
• 3 Custom Privacy Screens Made From Recycled Materials By Thingmaker Dave Hind
• Stone Bench
• Garden Lighting (On Timers) Enhances The Outdoor Setting

Bedroom

• Wool carpet
• Glass Juliette balcony
• Custom Oak Veneer built-ins including 2 wardrobes (long hang/2 drawers + double hang – each with storage banks above) + 6 drawer Chest / Media wall with open shelving
• Panasonic Flat Screen television with TEAC Receiver With I-Pod Hookup and Cambridge Audio Speakers
• 2 Floor To Ceiling Mirrors
• Pendant Light + Adjustable Ceiling Fan with Light

Washroom

• Hexagonal Marble Tile Floor
• Contemporary Custom Tiled Soaking Tub + Shower With Adjustable Wand
• Mirrored Niche For Shaving
• Floating Custom Cabinet With Ample Storage, Generous Sink, Massive Mirror, Rec
• Brand name fixtures
• Recessed Lighting

Lower Level Guest Room / Home Office
• Wool Carpet
• Crown Moldings with ‘Silverleaf’ wallpaper
• Stacking Laundry
• Utility / Technology Closet
• Generous Storage Under Full Stairwell

Contemporary Luxury 3-piece Washroom

• Floating shelf
• Massive mirror
• Recessed lighting
• Stone floors
• Marble accent shower with rain shower head and mirror shaving niche

Heres a video of this Movie House Loft!

Video created by SilverHouse

Learn more about this transformation in the urbaneer series called Renovating My Movie House Loft!

Are you seeking the best of the best? This one-of-a-kind residence is ideal for the urbane professional seeking a lock-up-and-go pied-a-pad steps from 5star everything!

Contact Steve@urbaneer.com for more info!