Argyle Authentic Lofts
By Diane Tierney - Globe and Mail
You can now own a loft in a historic building in the heart of downtown Toronto. The Argyle Authentic Lofts features real loft suites with two-storey mezzanine penthouses, private courtyards and garden walkouts.
The site - at 183 Dovercourt Road north of Queen Street West - was originally developed in 1873 and housed the first bakery and grocery store of the famous baker John Dempster. In 1919, the Ideal Bread Factory was built there, created by Montreal architect Sydney Comber (1887-1961). Mr. Comber specialized in industrial architecture and achieved recognition for several similar industrial-design projects. He was inspired by Edwardian classicism and incorporated many aspects of the style into the building.
In the Ideal Bread Factory’s heyday, the entire ground floor was used daily for shipping thousands of loaves. Wagons drew up in Argyle Street to what is now slated to be courtyard gardens. The large, airy basement was used to store the flour and the gigantic mixers and troughs were housed on the fifth floor.
Rising five storeys, the Argyle was and remains the tallest structure in the immediate neighbourhood. Ceiling heights range from almost 10 feet to more than 16.
The third-level floor is a mezzanine and has two-level units. There is a new sixth floor on top, with the penthouses with rooftop gardens. The main floor has a patio, so these are garden suites.
The finishes inside include hardwood flooring in the living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens. The bedrooms have sisal carpet. There are five stainless-steel appliances and custom-made kitchen cabinetry. Parking is available both underground and on the surface. Each unit has a storage locker.
The distinctive corner bakery entrance will continue to be the loft’s front door, with the clock retained as a reminder of the building’s industrial past.
The history of this building sets it apart from other industrial conversions in this prime residential neighbourhood. It’s a very artsy neighbourhood that is attracting a wide range of buyers, from first-time homeowners to people who are downsizing.
There are a lot of trendy shops and restaurants nearby, plus a park - and the YMCA is within walking distance.
This is one of the few true loft conversion projects in the area. “If you are looking for a loft you usually have to go to the King Street area but this building is not in an area that has as much traffic as King Street. This is more of a neighbourhood community,” says Ms. Sedlat.
Core Architects is the architectural and interior design team behind the Argyle and some of Toronto’s most popular downtown addresses.
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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information - 416-388-1960