183 Dovercourt Road

Luna Café, right across the street from the Argyle Lofts, caters so much to locals that they have a special menu only accessible on weekdays. That exactly sums up the atmosphere on Dovercourt Road: intimate, with a hint of exclusive. So while Sunday morning brunch-goers head to the more bustling Ossington or Queen Street West, residents of 183 Dovercourt can dine in peace thanks to the fact they they're in on a little-known Toronto secret.

The architecture along Dovercourt is just as charming, and equally modest. The Argyle Lofts is the perfect example of this, as one has to really examine the century-old masonry to appreciate it. Built in 1919, 183 Dovercourt was once home to the factory of the Ideal Bread Company. Now protected by its heritage status, even the conversion into hard lofts in 2007 meant the brickwork would be kept safe.

While amenities are scarce, those who choose to live here are perfectly content using the facilities found around the Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood. Visitor parking is a bonus, however residents might want to be careful before telling their friends they have a place to park in one of the most desirable areas in the city.

When we mentioned exclusivity, we weren’t kidding. With only 86 Toronto lofts in the entire building, and a consequently low turnover rate, not just anyone gets to live at the Argyle Lofts.

Toronto condos for sale at 183 Dovercourt Road range considerably in size, from approximately 500 square feet at their smallest to 1,800 at their most spacious. Some of these lofts cover two stories thanks to their mezzanine layouts, with bedrooms above and common living spaces below.

Thanks to the combination of its 100-year-old construction date and its careful preservation, historical charm is plentiful at the Argyle Lofts. Oversized, arched doorways double as points of entry and pointers to the building’s past. Certain units feature ceiling heights of up to 16.5 feet high, while exposed concrete, ductwork, and hardwood floors are signs of 183 Dovercourt’s formerly industrial use.

As if the lofts weren’t perfect enough, prospective buyers who enjoy parks, shopping, eating, drinking, art, and music will also be pleased with its surroundings. Those with kids are able to take a quick trip over to the Osler Playground right next door, or a longer walk can land families at Trinity Bellwoods Park for skating, swimming, tennis, and more.

For those who enjoy date night above all else, Little Portugal is the place to be. Between Ossington, Dundas, and Queen West, the options for dinner, drinks, or both, are endless. The Drake Hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant is chic yet more casual than it sounds, while more laid back meals can be found at the 24-hour Lakeview Diner. While Ossington has some businesses that have stuck around, this street is always great for exploring the latest in restaurant endeavours by some of the city’s finest.

In terms of more practical pursuits, residents are surrounded by everything they need. Inexpensive groceries can be reached within a short walk, at the FreshCo on Northcote Avenue. Mabel’s bakery on Queen will become a surefire place to grab a freshly baked bread, while sweet treats can also be purchased from the myriad of Portuguese bakeries in the area. During warmer months, there’s even a weekly farmer’s market in Trinity Bellwoods Park for those who really like their produce fresh.

The Argyle Lofts are located in west end Toronto, meaning streets tend to be slightly less congested here. This way, drivers can zip along Ossington or Dovercourt for north-south travel, while Queen, Richmond, and Adelaide are ideal routes for those heading east or west.

Alternatively, the Gardiner Expressway can be reached in no time via Jameson Avenue, from which drivers can connect to the 427 to the west or the Don Valley Parkway to the east. When using the former, Pearson International Airport is only a 25-minute drive from 183 Dovercourt.

Even residents without vehicles of their own are in luck. The Queen streetcar makes a stop just a few blocks from the lofts, and runs 24 hours a day. This service can be used to reach the Yonge-University-Spadina line at Osgoode or Queen Stations, while the Ossington or Dufferin buses will carry passengers north toward the Bloor-Danforth line.

When using public transit, Pearson can still be reached in less than an hour, while Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is also only 30 minutes away. Those heading out of the city by train can also reach Union Station in just over 20 minutes, where they can catch both VIA Rail and GO trains.