Ideal Lofts

Ideal Lofts is an architecturally noted low-rise soft loft condominium apartment building in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[1] It is located at Markham Street and College Street in the downtown neighbourhoods of Little Italy and Trinity–Bellwoods. The project was developed by Context and designed by Peter Clewes, Prishram Jain and Robert Cadeau of architectsAlliance.[2] Cecconi Simone and Crayon Design designed the interiors.[3] The building was registered on August 19, 2002.[4]

Ideal Lofts
General information
TypeResidential/ Condo
Architectural stylePostmodern
Town or cityToronto, Ontario
CountryCanada
Coordinates43.6558°N 79.4085°W / 43.6558; -79.4085
Completed2002
Cost$9 million
ClientContext Development
OwnerToronto Standard Condominium Corporation TSCC 1455
Height31 m
Technical details
Floor count9
Lifts/elevators2
Design and construction
ArchitectarchitectsAlliance
Structural engineerRead Jones Christoffersen Ltd.
Services engineerENSO Systems Ltd
Other information
ParkingUnderground
Website
ideallofts.wordpress.com

Description

The building's design received an "honourable mention" at the City of Toronto’s Architecture and Urban Design Awards 2003.[5] 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[6] the building is a good precedent of a context sensitive and well-massed mid-rise building.[7] It is respectful of the neighbourhood houses along Markham Street to the south. The massing, materials, and façade of the building take their cue from three neighbouring 19th century warehouse buildings[8] each with a strong red brick base.[9] The three buildings are: 474 Bathurst St, Pedlar People Building at 473-489 College St, and the Ladies Wear Building at 559 College St.[10] The City of Ottawa Design and Planning Guidelines also make reference to Ideal Lofts.[11] According to Robert Freedman, architect and then director of urban design for the City of Toronto, Ideal Lofts is part of a trend toward better designed condos in Toronto.[12] The name Ideal Lofts comes from the Ideal Restaurant Supply store which previously stood on the site.[13]

The nine-story brick and precast concrete condo has 68 units from one bedroom studios to three-bedroom penthouses. Dimension range from: 1 bedroom: 514–700 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.[14] 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 neighboring 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.

See also

References
  1. Ireland, Carolyn (May 31, 2012). "Home of the Week: La Dolce Vita, high above Little Italy - The Globe and Mail, May 31, 2012". Toronto. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  2. Polo, Marco (April 1, 2003). "Contextual Modernism". Toronto. Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  3. Ideal Condo brochure. Context Development Inc, 1999
  4. Condo.ca. "IDEAL LOFTS". Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  5. City of Toronto. "Architecture & Urban Design Awards 2003: The Winners". Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  6. City of Toronto, City Planning Division. "Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study". Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  7. City of Toronto. "Mid-Rise Building Typologies" (PDF). Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  8. Marco Polo (March 1, 2001). "Light, Air and View - Canadian Architect". Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  9. Context Development. "Ideal Condominium". Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  10. City of Toronto. "TORONTO AND EAST YORK COMMUNITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING 8" (PDF). Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  11. Nigel Terpstra. "The Interview: Prishram Jain of TACT Architecture, Part 2". Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  12. Alex Newman. "Hip young buyers driving better design" (PDF). Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  13. Ireland, Carolyn (May 31, 2012). "Home of the Week: La Dolce Vita, high above Little Italy - The Globe and Mail, May 31, 2012". Toronto. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  14. Special to the Globe and Mail (August 23, 2012). "Little Italy loft bidder meets asking price - The Globe and Mail, August 23, 2012". Toronto. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
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