Toronto Condo and Real Estate Blog

Eco-friendly feature is the only one in area as the building is designed to be super energy-efficient

Excerpt from an article by Valerie Hauch - The Toronto Star

The green, green grass of home will have a special meaning for the residents of Bob Mitchell’s Falling Brook loft development in Toronto’s east end.

That’s because the grass will be growing on Falling Brook’s roof - the top of the six-storey, 43-unit building - making it the only loft building in the Beach with a living, green roof and part of a select group of buildings with a similar feature in the city of Toronto.

Because it is on a high point of land at Kingston Rd. and Fallingbrook, the views from the terraces with each loft unit will have a view of either Lake Ontario to the south, or Blantyre Park to the north.

The one and two-storey lofts will have gas fireplaces and a choice of engineered plank hardwood or bamboo or polished concrete flooring with sisal carpeting on stairs and mezzanines.

Indoor garage parking and a locker is included with the price of a unit.

This is a “conscious decision,” says Mitchell, who also never uses model suites in his developments and sells many of his units through referrals, word-of-mouth and his website. It keeps costs down and this is why, for instance, maintenance fees will be $186 a month, irrespective of unit size.

He’s enjoyed doing loft retrofits and conversions of buildings in the past (the Glebe, Printers Row and others), but also enjoys constructing an all-new residence because it can be made as eco-friendly and energy efficient as possible.

Read the whole article here

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Brand new on the scene in Toronto’s hip downtown east is Garment Factory Lofts - Atria Developments’ live/work industrial loft conversion that has won rave reviews. These lofts appeal to first-time buyers, empty nesters, creative individuals (artists, photographers, etc.), and business professionals seeking a live/work loft environment.

Location is part of the reason. Atria coverted a former garment factory in the Queen Street East neighbourhood into one of the city’s hottest loft conversions. Residents will revel in these exciting surroundings that include popular nightspots such as Barrio, and the eateries Verveine and Gio Rana’s Really, Really Nice Restaurant.

The Distillery District and Leslieville are just down the street, and eventually this vibrant area will encompass additional retail, residential, and live/work housing when the proposed changes to the Toronto Film Studio environs become reality.

Design shares the spotlight with location, and the spectacular model loft at Garment Factory Lofts is the perfect showcase. This one-bedroom plus den/workspace model by Fleur-de-lis Interior Design Inc. contains examples of the building’s interesting architectural details such as the original flared columns, ceilings that soar up to almost 12 feet, and large windows. The model features Wenge-stained kitchen cabinetry, a stone backsplash and island with a stone top, a gas stove, gas BBQ tee, and an optional gas fireplace.

The eight-storey Garment Factory Lofts is designed by award-winning Core Architects Inc. to meld the original brick warehouse façade with modern steel and glass. Beginning at the third floor, the building terraces are striking.

An acid green canopy adds panache to the entry on Carlaw and extends back into the lobby. Every loft will offer a glazed balcony or a spacious terrace with amazing views.

The Garment Factory Lofts features 154 lofts comprised of studios, one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den/workspace, two-bedroom, and two-bedroom plus den/workspace, plus penthouses with views of the lake.

Lofts range in size from 525 to 1,303 square feet and are priced from just $154,900 to the $380,000s (for a 1,286 square foot two-bedroom plan with a 167 square foot terrace) – the lowest price per square foot of any authentic loft in the city. First occupancies are slated for winter 2006.

Atria Developments also created i-Zone live/work lofts, which is located across the street from Garment Factory Lofts, and is now home to artists, filmmakers, photographers, an opera singer, and other creative spirits.

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information

Atria Developments introduced Garment Factory Lofts, a new live/work industrial conversion that will revitalize a former garment factory. Garment Factory Lofts is located in the Queen Street East neighborhood, one that is undergoing an exciting resurgence between Logan Avenue and Leslie Street to form a hip Downtown Toronto East.

This neighbourhood is fast on its way to becoming an urban success story. Garment Factory Lofts is just down the street from the Distillery District, and steps from Leslieville. In the vicinity are eateries such as Verveine and Gio Rana’s Really, Really Nice Restaurant.

Popular nightspots include Barrio, where regulars sip martinis and enjoy tapas-style treats while a DJ spins music on Saturday night. When the proposed changes to the Toronto Film Studio suroundings become reality, that entire area will be home to new retail, residential and live/work housing, adding to the urban tapestry.

Designed by award-winning Core Architects Inc., the eight-storey Garment Factory Lofts meld the original brick façade of the warehouse with modern steel and glass to create a striking whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. The building terraces back begin at the third floor, and are distinguished by an acid green canopy that will grace the entry on Carlaw and extend back into the lobby. Every loft offers a glazed balcony or spacious terrace with amazing views.

The Garment Factory Lofts features 150 lofts comprised of studios, one-bedroom, one-bedroom plus den/workspace, two-bedroom, and two-bedroom plus den/workspace, and penthouses with views of the lake. Priced from just $139,900, these lofts, will range in size from 525 to 1,303 square foot and offer the lowest price per square foot of any authentic loft in the city.

The spectacular model loft by Fleur-de-lis Interior Design Inc. contains examples of the building’s interesting architectural details such as the original fluted columns, ceilings that soar up to almost 12 feet, and large windows. The model kitchen will feature modern Wenge-stained cabinetry, a stone backsplash and island with a stone top. This one-bedroom plus den/workspace also showcases a gas stove, gas BBQ hookup, and an optional gas fireplace.

Atria Developments is known as the creator of i-Zone live/work lofts, located across the street from Garment Factory Lofts. i-Zone was a major catalyst for change in the surrounding neighbourhood, and is now home to artists, filmmakers, photographers, and other creative spirits. The development of the Garment Factory Lofts will bring a further greening to this former industrial neighbourhood with the inclusion of a parkette that backs onto Boston Avenue.

Atria Developments is a family-owned and operated company specializing in the revitalization of former industrial urban areas by renewing existing sites.

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information