Type Residential/ Condo Floor count 9 Opened 2003 Province Ontario Construction started 2002 | Completed 2003 Lifts/elevators 2 Height 31 m Floors 9 | |
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Similar Tip Top Tailors Building, Waterpark City, The Uptown Residences, St Patrick's Church, Kings Landing | ||
Ideal lofts
Ideal Lofts is an architecturally noted low-rise condominium apartment building in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located at Markham and College Streets in the downtown neighbourhoods of Little Italy and Trinity–Bellwoods. The project was developed by Context and designed by Peter Clewes of architectsAlliance. Cecconi Simone and Crayon Design designed the interiors. The building was registered on August 19, 2002.
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Architecture
The building's design received an "honourable mention" at the City of Toronto’s Architecture and Urban Design Awards 2003. One judge noted that "it's a very impressive example of the Toronto urban loft-housing model." According to a multiple award winning City of Toronto study the building is a good precedent of a context sensitive and well-massed mid-rise building. It is respectful of the neighbourhood houses along Markham Street to the south. Yet the massing, materials, and façade of the building take their cue from three neighbouring 19th century warehouse buildings each with a strong red brick base. The three buildings are: 474 Bathurst St, Pedlar People Building at 473-489 College St, and the Ladies Wear Building at 559 College St. The City of Ottawa Design and Planning Guidelines also make reference to Ideal Lofts. According to Robert Freedman, an architect and director of urban design for the City of Toronto, Ideal Lofts is part of a trend toward better designed condos in Toronto.
Description
The name Ideal Lofts comes from the then well known Ideal Restaurant Supply store which once stood on the site. The nine story brick and precast concrete condo has 68 units from one bedroom studios to spacious three bedroom penthouses. Dimension range from: 1 bedroom: 514–600 ft2, 1+1 bedroom: 700–800 ft2, 2 bedroom: 800–1300 ft2, and penthouse: 1260–2232 ft2. The units per floor each have different layouts. All have floor-to-ceiling windows. The sixth and eighth floors are two-story lofts with glass and concrete terraces. Many units have permanent, unobstructed views of residential streets lined with houses. South facing units overlook neighbouring back gardens beyond the grasses and trees on the condo's lower green roof and a section of Lake Ontario is still in view for many. To the west and north, the view takes in treetops and heritage buildings. The units facing either south or west have terraces or balconies. The lofts facing north have juliet balconies. The few amenities include a meeting/party room, indoor parking and storage.
The residential community elects a condo board which uses the services of property manager FirstService Residential.
Shoppers Drug Mart is the commercial tenant at 463 College St.
Impark manages the two-level 46 spot commercial section of the parking garage. It's doors close at 7 pm preventing access for those who missed the signs.
Neighbourhood
Markham St. is a quiet tree-lined residential street with many Victorian and Edwardian era houses. College St. is a vibrant arterial thoroughfare that passes several institution such as the Ontario Legislative Building, University of Toronto and MaRS Discovery District. Little Italy stretches along College Street with its bistros, cafés, shops, restaurants and bars. Nearby landmarks include the College Street United Church, Mirvish Village, The Royal Cinema, The Italian Walk of Fame, The Mod Club Theatre and Sneaky Dee's. Within a 30-minute walk are almost two dozen neighbourhoods. Walking north are Palmerston–Little Italy and Koreatown. East is Harbord Village, Kensington Market, Chinatown, and the Financial District. To the south is Trinity–Bellwoods and to the west is Little Portugal.
The building is in three electoral districts. Municipally it's in Ward 19, provincially it's in Trinity-Spadina, and federally it's in University—Rosedale.
A number of resources for the public are within walking distance. These include Service Canada, ServiceOntario, and the Toronto Western Hospital. The nearest schools are Charles G Fraser Junior Public School, King Edward Junior and Senior Public School, Harbord Collegiate Institute, Central Commerce Collegiate, and Central Technical School. The closest post-secondary institutions are University of Toronto, Ryerson University and OCAD University. The area is served by several Toronto Public Libraries including Sanderson, Lillian H. Smith, and College/Shaw. The Scadding Court Community Centre and Trinity Bellwoods Park have gyms, pools, skating and a wide variety of programs and services. Other nearby parks include: Bickford Park, Alexandra Park and Healey Willan Park.
Transportation
The location has a 100 Transit Score and a 97 Walk Score. The nearest main intersection is Bathurst St. and College St. The nearest subways are ten minutes away by streetcar at Bathurst (TTC) and Queen's Park (TTC). The Gardiner Expressway, Lake Shore Boulevard, and the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (Toronto Island) are also nearby. Car share and rentals are located nearby. College St. has bicycle-only lanes on either side. A Bike Share Toronto station is across the street on Markham St.