1 St Thomas Street

Since we aren’t the type to beat around the bush, we’ll just cut to the chase: Drake once lived in 1 St. Thomas Street. And he rapped about it. For those whose attention we’ve now got, we’ll let you in on another little secret. The Degrassi-star-turned-rapper lived on the 22nd floor.

It should come as no surprise, then, to hear that the One St. Thomas Residences are nothing but regal. Huge smooth concrete stones give way to a curved entryway at the base, with a canopy reminiscent of those on the upper west side of New York City.

Built in 2008, this contemporary luxury building reaches to 29 storeys and houses just 77 Yorkville condos.

Lee Development Group was in charge of the construction, while the Art-deco, New York-inspired aesthetic is credited to none other than the dean of architecture at Yale University, Robert Stern.

While the building is on the southern border of Yorkville, it’s still just as ritzy as its neighbours to the north. Living at 1 St. Thomas Street provides one access to concierge and valet services, a doorman, and even a car wash. Residents can also make use of the building’s indoor swimming pool, gym, hot tub, massage rooms, guest suites, visitor parking, and dining area.

While not everyone can live in Drake’s old unit, it’s worth mentioning that this suite has a heated terrace and private elevator-to-suite access. There are, however, some cozier — and therefore more affordable — Yorkville condos for sale in the building as well.

The suites at the One St. Thomas Residences range from around 500 to a staggering 8,500 square feet. For those prospective buyers who don’t want to have to use an elevator or walk through a lobby, four Toronto townhouses are part of the complex, spanning three levels each and located on Charles Street.

The open concept layouts at 1 St. Thomas are ideal for throwing parties. Another element that makes hosting all the more enjoyable is the Kitchen design created by Downsview Kitchens.

Suites at the One St. Thomas Residences also boast 10-12 foot ceilings, walk-in closets, cozy fireplaces, solid core doors, and lots of intricate details everywhere.

St. Thomas Street is so tiny, some people will bet that it doesn’t even exist. That’s part of the draw for residents, though: those living at One St. Thomas can reside within downtown Toronto, while still enjoying the peace and privacy afforded by a quaint side street.

St. Thomas extends from Charles Street north to Bloor West. This strip of Bloor is known as Mink Mile, where shops range from upscale to sumptuous. While most of the real estate is taken up by designer brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Prada, these are interspersed with more affordable options such as Zara and Winners.

Just north of Bloor is where Yorkville begins, a neighbourhood filled with equally luxurious stores plus tons of history. The area was occupied as early as the 1830s, however it really made a name for itself in the 1960s: Yorkville was a bohemian hotbed, where names like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell spent time creating.

Plenty of options for entertainment and culture also surround the One St. Thomas Residences. The Royal Ontario Museum and the Gardiner Museum are both just a short walk away, as is the Cineplex Cinemas Varsity and VIP theatre.

As for groceries, residents living at 1 St. Thomas don’t have to travel far at all. A large and luxurious Whole Foods is just a 10 minute walk away, on Avenue Road. Alternatively, there’s a Market by Longo’s on Bloor East, which takes about the same amount of time to reach.

Traveling to and from 1 St. Thomas is simple thanks to its close proximity to Bloor and surrounding arterial roads. Even without a car, residents can get around the city with ease.

Those heading out by car can reach the Don Valley Parkway in no time, following a short ride east along Bloor. From this fast-paced highway, residents can reach either the 401 or the Gardiner Expressway. Alternatively, a ride down to the Financial District or the Eaton Centre is as simple as heading south down University Avenue or Bay Street.

Those who rely on public transit to get around needn’t worry either. Bay Station takes 3 minutes to reach on foot, where travelers can catch subway trains heading east or west along the Bloor-Danforth line. Riding one stop east will allow passengers to transfer onto north-south trains moving along the Yonge-University-Spadina line, while a walk over to Yonge Station takes only 7 minutes.