Bell Canada’s ‘overbuilt’ complex finds new life as Network Lofts
Excerpt from an article by W.D. Lighthall – Toronto Star
Back in 1971, Bell Canada overdid it. That year, Bell built a combined office building and switching station near the intersection of Islington Ave. and Bloor St. W.
A development team of Finer Space Construction and The Alterra Group will soon start converting the 12-storey former Bell building into a 13-storey loft building called Network Lofts.
The Network Lofts building suits a loft conversion because ceiling heights average 10 1/2 feet and the extra structural strength allows for wide spans between columns and load-bearing concrete walls.”With residential lofts, you have to provide lots of natural light. We will change the character and feel of the place,” says Barnett. “When you have a stretch of window 10 1/2 feet high, it’s almost like being outside.”
The conversion work involves removing the old mechanical and electrical systems and replacing them with systems that meet current building-code standards, as well as the expectations of today’s loft buyers.
The mechanical floor will then be converted into two-storey loft units with ceiling heights open to the 17-foot mark.Located across the street from the Islington subway station and just west of the Kingsway Village, the building sat empty for about a year after Bell moved out and put it up for sale. Barnett says it makes good sense to convert the building from office to residential use.
Network Lofts will offer one and two-bedroom units, with and without dens. Prices start at $159,990 and units range from 573 square feet to more than 1,200 square feet.
Network Lofts features include ceiling heights ranging from 10 feet to 17 feet, polished concrete floors, exposed concrete columns and oversized windows.
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