781 King Street W

Before we get to the building, let us first address the elephant in the room — no, Batman doesn't live here, and if he did, we would never tell you...

The Gotham Lofts is an oldie, but a goodie, and in more ways than one. To start, the building was constructed about a century ago, in 1917. Moreover, the building at 781 King Street West has been enjoying its second life as a converted residential loft since 1997. And finally, these authentic hard lofts are simply spectacular to look at.

As if the original sale of the lofts at 781 King West wasn’t enough, the building’s desirability was authenticated yet again in 2012, when five bidders battled it out for a unit that happened to reappear on the market. Naturally, this loft sold for more than the asking price, an episode likely fueled by the fact that turnover rate at the Gotham Lofts is notoriously low.

Canadian Equity and Development Corp, who converted the Gotham Lofts in the late 1990s, were able to create 54 Toronto lofts in the process. These homes now stand in the very place where horse harnesses were once manufactured. In fact, the building was used as a textile factory after that, before its final residential conversion.

Commercial storefronts can be found on either side of the Gotham lofts, with a Shoppers Drug Mart just steps from the front doors of 781 King West. Some other amenities can even be found within the building itself. Residents can get a workout in without leaving the building, while a party and a meeting room are also available for use. The building even boasts a security guard and visitor parking, to top it all off.

Beyond the exterior, the lobby is yet another hint as to what these homes will look like. Antique brass railings, exposed yellow brick, and wooden posts and beams decorate this common space. Once upstairs, exposed yellow brick is a frequent fixture, as well as the gas fireplaces and granite countertops that grace many of the lofts at 781 King West.

With only 54 lofts to choose from, the range in size and scope at the Gotham Lofts is pretty impressive. Smaller units start at around 600 square feet, and contain one bedroom. Two bedroom units, on the other hand, can reach to up to 1,600 square feet large. No matter the size, all King West condos for sale in the building feature open concept layouts and generously sized windows.

Interestingly enough, the King West neighbourhood really began to boom around the same time of these lofts’ conversion. Today, the building is as sought-after by residents as the neighbourhood itself is by shop owners and restaurateurs.

So while elegant boutiques and crafty cocktail bars line King West, especially in the strip just east of Bathurst Street, cultural spaces are abundant as well. A number of contemporary art galleries can be found along Niagara and Tecumseth, while King and Queen West are also great options for Sunday afternoons spent gallery hopping.

In terms of green space, Stanley Park is only a few blocks away from the Gotham Lofts, where an off-leash dog park and an outdoor swimming pool await. The south end of Trinity Bellwoods Park can also be accessed via Queen Street West, which is only a short walk away for residents.

Lake Ontario is also within reach, along with the many activities that inhabit its shores. Summer months obviously require at least a few trips to the beach, while skating at Harbourfront offers hours of entertainment once the snow starts to fall.

Residents of 781 King Street West can travel around Toronto with or without a vehicle of their own. Drivers will enjoy living close to the Gardiner Expressway, which carries cars west toward the 427 or East to the Don Valley Parkway. Bathurst and Dufferin are also ideal northwest routes, with the lack of streetcars on the latter making for slightly faster flowing traffic.

Those who prefer to pedal their way around the city can hop onto the bicycle lanes on Richmond and Adelaide Streets for a safe route to and from the Financial District. Alternatively, the Strachan Avenue bike lanes lead cyclists toward the Martin Goodman Trail, a carless path that stretches along the shores of Lake Ontario for a total of 56 kilometers.

While Toronto isn’t legendary for its amazing public transportation, residents living at 781 King West can get around using the TTC thanks to its central location. Streetcars stop just outside, at King and Tecumseth or King and Niagara, depending on which way you walk. A quick ride will land passengers at St. Andrew Station, on the University-Spadina line.