Forest Hill Lofts has a past you can see from the street. Built as a knitting works in the early 1930s, the Art Deco building at 1001 Roselawn Avenue was converted to residential lofts in 2002. The former factory’s character still shapes what it’s like to live here.

No two units are quite the same. Size, layout, and feel change from one loft to the next. You might find 13-foot ceilings, exposed concrete, and expansive windows. Some suites have mezzanines with storage tucked beneath them; others offer private rooftop terraces. It’s the kind of building where the floor plan is only the beginning of the story.

There’s a practical perk, too: monthly maintenance fees include heat, water, and hydro — this becomes especially practical for cooling down and heating up the large open concept layouts.

Just outside, Walter Saunders Memorial Park (perfect of the kids) and the York Beltline Trail (perfect for the adults looking to get their steps in) add green space to this former industrial setting.

One of the things that makes Forest Hill Lofts so unique is that no two units are exactly the same. Rather than repeating a handful of standard floor plans throughout the building, the 2002 conversion worked within the structure of the original building, resulting in lofts with their own individual sizes, layouts and architectural details.

The majority of suites feature two-bedroom layouts, with some also offering a den for additional living or work-from-home space. In many of these units, the second bedroom is located on a mezzanine overlooking the main living area—a layout that takes advantage of the building’s impressive ceiling heights while adding to the open, loft-style feel.

A smaller selection of one-bedroom layouts can also be found throughout the building. Depending on the unit, you’ll find differences in ceiling heights, window configurations, exposed concrete, mezzanine spaces and overall square footage.

Outdoor space also varies by location within the building. Ground-floor, south-facing units exclusively feature private terraces, offering direct outdoor space that you won’t find with most suites in the building.

It’s this variety that makes shopping for a unit at 1001 Roselawn a little different from buying in a typical condo. Two units in the same building—even on the same floor—can offer completely different living experiences, which is part of what gives Forest Hill Lofts its character.

Forest Hill Lofts has more to offer than its striking suites. The ground-floor gym is equipped for a proper workout, with everything from kettlebells to a rowing machine. There’s also a spacious party room that residents can rent for larger gatherings.

Up on the fifth level, the shared rooftop terrace gives everyone a place to enjoy a sunny afternoon or dinner outdoors. It has loungers, BBQs, and tables, while select suites have private terraces of their own.

Parking is practical, too. There’s ample visitor parking for guests, plus both above-ground and underground parking for residents. If parking matters to your move, check what’s included with the particular suite you’re considering.

You won’t find a pool or concierge here. Without those costly amenities to operate, the building can offer a more manageable maintenance fee while still providing useful shared spaces.

One of the most underrated features of Forest Hill Lofts is its location. Tucked away on Roselawn Avenue just east of Dufferin Street, 1001 Roselawn feels surprisingly removed from the busier streets around it, while still offering easy access to transit, shopping, parks and some of Midtown Toronto’s best neighbourhoods.

For anyone who likes to walk, run or cycle, the location is especially hard to beat. The York Beltline Trail runs directly behind the building, giving residents immediate access to one of Toronto’s most unique walking and cycling routes. Head east and the trail continues through Forest Hill and connects with the Kay Gardner Beltline, creating a long green corridor through Midtown Toronto.

Directly behind the building you’ll also find Walter Saunders Memorial Park, adding a large stretch of green space practically to your backyard. The park includes walking and cycling paths, a basketball court and splash pad, making it particularly convenient for families, dog owners and anyone who wants outdoor space without having to drive somewhere to find it.

Getting around the city is also becoming one of the neighbourhood’s biggest strengths. TTC service is available close to the building, while the Eglinton corridor provides connections to Toronto’s rapid transit network. For drivers, Allen Road is only a short distance away, providing a convenient connection south toward the city and north toward Highway 401.

Daily conveniences are nearby along Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue West, while larger shopping destinations such as Yorkdale are only a short drive away. At the same time, residents are close to established Midtown neighbourhoods including Forest Hill, Cedarvale and Oakwood Village.

It’s an interesting combination: you get the character and space of an authentic hard loft, direct access to parks and the Beltline, and increasingly convenient transit connections—all without being right in the middle of downtown.