TORONTO LOFTS | TORONTO CONDOS

Moving to urban Toronto is all about the excitement and cultural opportunities of the big city but finding a place can mean sacrificing the larger living spaces found in the suburbs. The city has witnessed a dramatic boom in the condo market. There are many upcoming new build loft projects popping up throughout both the main city and suburban areas of Toronto. Lofts are a great addition to the housing market and they offer many advantages when compared to traditional - more "box-style" condo layouts... but what's the idea behind lofts, and why are they so popular?

In the Toronto market there are 2 types of loft styles - "Hard Lofts" and "Soft Lofts".

A Hard Loft (True Loft) is a conversion of a old factory or warehouse. They have a harder edge and are usually constructed of concrete or "mill-style" construction featuring exposed brick, original wood posts, beams and floors. Typically, these lofts have an open floor plan and high/unfinished ceilings with exposed ductwork, plumbing and electrical components. High Maintenance costs and lack of parking facilities are often associated with Hard Lofts. Hard Lofts have a "Heritage" value associated with them, typically leading to greater demand and higher resale values.

In recent years developers have built new buildings "Soft Lofts" with some of the characteristics of a hard loft such as high ceilings, large windows and open floor plans. These lofts typically have a softer edge... no exposed ductwork or plumbing, carpet in some areas and upscale kitchens and baths. Soft lofts have more in common with traditional condo than a true hard loft. They are better than condominiums in terms of space available featuring less room devisions or part wall room dividers. Soft Lofts are newly constructed lofts from the ground up or retain the original "street-scape" facade with new construction making up the bulk of the building. Soft Lofts do not have very high maintenance costs like Hard Lofts.

When living the Loft lifestyle, you lose the yard maintenance and gain the convenience of close-by shopping, restaurants, social activities, nightlife and many more all within walking distance from your home.

Regardless of its type, Lofts have become a lifestyle choice for many urban dwellers now residing in the big city.