797 Don Mills Road

In New York City, Tribeca is short for “triangle below Canal Street.” In Toronto, we can rearrange this acronym to mean “Toronto’s best character skyscraper” — or maybe not. Despite the meaning, a hard loft conversion in Manhattan is out of reach for most, while the Tribeca Lofts at 797 Don Mills Road is a fine balance between authenticity and cost effectiveness.

This 17-storey North York condo was once home to the offices of Mony Life, before its conversion in the 1990’s by T.W.S. Developments Inc. Although the building’s latest name may hint at bustling streets and hectic neighbours, the Tribeca Lofts are removed enough from downtown Toronto to negate any feeling of urban stress for its residents.

The Tribeca Lofts may have been one of the earlier conversions in the city, but its age is not reflected in the amenities offered to residents of 797 Don Mills. While hard lofts often lack the square footage for several communal spaces, Toronto condos for sale in this building provide residents with access to an exercise room, a party room, and parking — all thanks to its location away from the more condensed city centre.

The 175 Toronto lofts found throughout the building are bright and airy, thanks to their previous lives as office spaces: ceilings reach to 10 feet high, square footage ranges between 600 and 1,200, and layouts are open concept.

Additionally, windows span from wall to wall, guiding plenty of warm natural sunlight into each loft. Even the doorways are broad and inviting, with double doors creating openings between the rooms in particular units.

Many of the homes at 797 Don Mills boast outdoor spaces, from which sweeping views of the entire city can be taken in. The northeastern vantage point makes for unmatched panoramas that would be blocked by high-rise structures if these lofts were placed in a neighbourhood like New York’s Tribeca or Toronto’s financial district.

Although the Flemingdon Park neighbourhood is at a distance from the downtown core, culture is still abundant. Weekend activities within close reach of these homes include the beloved Ontario Science Centre, as well as the immaculate, 2014-built Aga Khan Museum.

For shopping, dining, or just some casual perusing, the Shops at Don Mills is around the corner at Don Mills and Lawrence. The shopping complex was the first outdoor centre of its sort, and features a central town square surrounded by upscale boutiques and an array of restaurants, and even a movie theatre.

Residents of the Tribeca Lofts who have gravitated to the area for its sense of space will enjoy the sprawling parks nearby. Sunnybrook Park even leads into the Don Valley Trails, where hikers and cyclists can spend the day making their way down to the lake.

Car owners living at 797 Don Mills can make use of Don Mills Road or Eglinton Avenue East, both of which are fast-moving arterial roads. Alternatively, the Don Valley Parkway can be reached in minutes from the Tribeca Lofts. From here, drivers can access the 401 to the north or the Gardiner Expressway to the south in no time.

Buses make stops at the corner of Don Mills and Eglinton, just moments from the front doors. From here, residents can travel in all directions around the city. Even from its midtown location, the downtown core remains accessible—the Eaton Centre can be reached in 15 minutes by car, or by way of a 45-minute trip on the TTC.