468 Wellington Street W

The 468 Wellington Lofts have acquired quite a reputation over the past 100 years — the building is home to some of the stateliest lofts in all of Toronto. After doing some simple math, it becomes evident how much space the 11 Toronto lofts within have to enjoy: at 6 storeys high, each level of this low-rise hard loft contains no more than 2 homes. In fact, one of the units at the 468 Wellington Lofts has yet to be surpassed as the largest ground floor loft in the city.

Originally built in 1915, the structure was once home to the Butterick Publishing House. Butterick was once responsible for the worldwide circulation of fashion magazines, and now the site is home to some of the most elegant and well dressed Torontonians. Notable homeowners have even been known to dwell in the lofts — rumours of record producer and media mogul neighbours have been circulating as of late.

While the building itself offers few shared amenities, the largest of homes at the 468 Wellington Lofts can double as dining halls, ballrooms, theatres, and more, depending on how owners choose to configure their own personal spaces. Following the building’s 2001 conversion into residential units, the first crop of homeowners purchased blank slate lofts and each proceeded to personalize them. Today, then, each unit is unique in form and figure — one spectacular three-bedroom loft in the building even boasts a home movie theatre.

Even the smallest of units at the 468 Wellington Lofts, containing one bedroom, sits at around 1,500 square feet. So while Toronto condos continue to shrink in size, these residents will hardly be able to notice. Double doors leading between rooms, sprawling master bedrooms, and even oversized bathrooms make any loft in this building feel colossal. The largest loft reaches up to a spectacular 5,200 square feet, with the remaining 9 units falling anywhere in between these two sizes.

Adding insult to injury — for other buildings that is — are the private, direct-to-suite elevators that carry residents to and from their homes each day, a feature that's rarely found in Toronto condos for sale. The privacy and exclusivity afforded by this boutique hard loft is certainly envy inducing for neighbours.

While the scope of these lofts is impressive enough, the historical quality of the building manages never to get lost in the mix. Authentic elements that have been preserved for over a century include traditional crimson brick that is left exposed, gently arched windows, hardwood flooring, and wooden ceilings and beams.

The building itself is pet-friendly, allowing for furry friends to take great advantage of all of the space within the lofts. And nearby, numerous green spaces are equally accepting — Clarence Square Park offers an off-leash area for dogs, and a slightly longer walk in the direction of Trinity Bellwoods Park allows canine friends to run around in the infamous “dog bowl.”

King West neighbourhood also has many facilities more suited to human residents; upscale restaurants and lounges along King Street West are places to both see and be seen. On warm summer nights, the Thompson Hotel is a great place for sunset swims or cocktails with a view.

Equidistant from 468 Wellington West, the Kitchen Table and Fresh & Wild Food Market are ideal spots for gathering groceries, whether stocking up for the week or preparing for lavish dinner parties.

These lofts are ideally located in the centre of Toronto’s downtown core. Within minutes, residents can walk or ride to St. Andrew station on the University-Spadina subway line, from which they can reach the rest of the city in no time. Only one stop away is Union Station, from which travelers can connect with GO Transit, VIA Rail, and the UP service to Pearson International Airport.

An added bonus for residents is their close proximity to Lake Ontario. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is only 10 minutes away via public transportation, or a quick 6-minute drive. For even shorter vacations, residents can hop on a ferry and spend Saturdays in the summer on the Toronto Islands.

Car owners will love the rapid pace of travel along the Gardiner Expressway, which can be accessed in mere minutes from their homes. Other major arterial roads surround these lofts, such as Bathurst Street, Spadina Avenue, and King Street West, and will come in great handy to drivers living at 468 Wellington West.