The Toronto Livings guide
Toronto lofts for sale.
Brick-and-beam conversions and modern soft lofts: what sets each apart, where to find them and how to buy one well.
For sale now
Newest lofts on the market.
Hard and soft lofts listed across the city, updated daily.
Listing data from PropTx MLS®, deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
What they are
What makes a loft a loft.
A loft is a home defined by volume rather than walls: high ceilings, big windows and open space you shape around the way you live. In Toronto the word covers two quite different things. Hard lofts are former factories, warehouses and other older buildings converted into homes. Soft lofts are newer buildings designed with the same open, industrial feel.
Toronto’s loft market grew out of the city’s industrial past. As manufacturing moved out of Queen West, King West, Leslieville and the Junction, developers began converting the empty buildings into homes, and from the 1990s on lofts became one of the city’s most sought-after kinds of home. Those conversions set the look soft lofts still borrow: exposed brick, timber or concrete, ductwork on show and oversized windows.
Lofts suit buyers who want character, light and an open plan, and who are happy to trade some storage and privacy for space that feels like nowhere else. Who they may not suit: buyers who want fully enclosed bedrooms, very quiet acoustics or the amenities of a large new tower.
Hard or soft
Two kinds of loft.
Both offer open space and high ceilings. What separates them is the building’s history, and that changes what you live with day to day.
Hard lofts
Converted from older industrial or commercial buildings, with original brick, timber beams, concrete and factory windows. No two suites are quite alike, and the supply is fixed.
Soft lofts
Built new to borrow the loft look: exposed concrete ceilings, tall windows and open plans, with modern systems, balconies and usually parking on site.
Church lofts
A rare kind of hard loft: former churches converted into homes, with vaulted ceilings and original stone and glass. Our church loft guide covers them building by building.
Live and work
Some loft buildings allow a home office or studio with clients. Check the zoning and the condo’s rules before you plan to work from home.
Where to find them
The neighbourhoods to look in.
Hard lofts sit in the old industrial belts along the rail lines and close to the core. Soft lofts are often in the same areas, on the sites of factories that came down.
Queen West and Trinity Bellwoods
King West and Liberty Village
Leslieville and Riverside
The Garden District
The Junction
Cabbagetown and Regent Park
Kensington and Chinatown
Forest Hill Lofts
Church loft conversions
Buying advice
What to know before you buy.
Lofts reward buyers who look past the brick. The things that make a loft special can also make it harder to live in or resell, so these are the questions we work through with every loft buyer.
A true conversion or loft-style
The word loft gets used freely. Ask when the building was built, what it was before and what is original. A converted building and a new condo with a loft feel are priced and maintained differently.
Light, sound and privacy
Open plans carry sound, and some loft bedrooms are partly open or have no window. Visit at different times of day and check that each bedroom works for you.
Heating, cooling and utilities
High ceilings and big windows cost more to heat and cool. Ask for recent utility bills and whether any utilities are included in the condo fees.
The building and the reserve fund
Older buildings can carry larger repair projects, from windows to masonry. Read the status certificate and the reserve fund study before you firm up.
Resale
The lofts that hold value best are true conversions with height, light and a layout that works. Unusual features are part of the appeal, but very narrow or dark layouts can take longer to sell.
Viewing checklist
- Confirm the building’s history and what is original
- Check ceiling heights and which rooms have windows
- Listen for noise from neighbours and the street
- Ask for recent utility bills
- Review the status certificate and reserve fund study
- Confirm parking, a locker and any heritage rules
Further reading
More on lofts.
FAQ
Common questions.
What is the difference between a hard loft and a soft loft?
A hard loft is a converted industrial or commercial building with original features such as brick, beams and factory windows. A soft loft is a newer building designed with a loft feel, usually with concrete ceilings, tall windows and modern amenities.
Where are most lofts in Toronto?
Mostly in the older industrial areas near downtown: Queen West, King West and Liberty Village, Leslieville and Riverside, the Garden District and the Junction.
Are lofts more expensive than condos?
Hard lofts often sell for more per square foot than comparable condos because supply is fixed and demand is steady. Soft lofts tend to price closer to newer condos in the same area.
Are lofts noisy?
It depends on the building. Thick concrete or timber floors can block sound well between suites, but open plans and hard surfaces carry it inside the home. Visit at different times of day before you buy.
Do lofts cost more to heat and cool?
Often, because of the ceiling height and large windows. Ask for recent utility bills, and check whether heat or water are included in the condo fees.
Can I see lofts before they’re listed?
Most lofts are listed on the MLS, and the good ones move quickly. Set up a loft alert and we’ll email you new lofts the day they list, so you can be among the first to see them.
Talk to a specialist
Looking for a loft?
Mark handles our loft buyers and sellers, and lives in a 100-year-old loft himself. A short call, no pressure.
