Top Condo Picks in My Favourite Neighbourhoods
Toronto plays host to a plethora of fantastic neighbourhoods and the incredible condo buildings found within them. And while it seems unfair to pick favourites, I’m going to anyway.
Most developers are looking to make a quick profit; some want to create something credible enough to keep their reputation in check, and a very small minority endeavour to create something truly special.
After seeing just about every condo in Toronto, I can say for certain that some properties just rise above the rest — figuratively speaking. Naturally, another contributing factor when it comes to a condo’s desirability is location. Much like some condos are better than others, some neighbourhoods are simply superior as well.
How These Buildings Were Ranked
Full disclosure: these condos don’t necessarily offer the best value (although we do have a list of those condos). Rather, I chose one standout building from the top 10 condos (as ranked by the data nerds at Strata.ca) in each of my favourite Toronto neighbourhoods
The rankings are based on buildings with the lowest days on market (i.e. that sell the fastest), the highest rate of appreciation (compared to neighbouring buildings) and highest sale-to-list ratio (a fancy way of saying they tend to sell among competing buyers ‘above’ the list price).
Our building popularity algorithm takes those three values, merges them together and provides an average for each neighbourhood. Contact me if you'd like to know more about the other top ranking condos on the list!
The Annex
Where do students, families, retirees, and local celebrities like Margaret Atwood all hang their hats at night? That’s right, The Annex. Picturesque residential streets in this neighbourhood are lined by mature trees and Victorian and Edwardian houses. Busy thoroughfares like Bloor and Bathurst are where residents can find bookstores, cafes, dining and nightlife, while stunning luxury condos like The Loretto puts the Annex over the top.
Why I Picked the Loretto:
At one time the Loretto had a much longer name: the Loretto Abbey Day School. Now, 385 Brunswick Avenue is comprised of 50 hard lofts instead of one educational institution.
Since the Loretto was once a school (and not a factory or a warehouse), units don’t feature the industrial touches that some of my clients crave, like exposed brick, wooden beams and concrete; instead, they’re classic in style (or even effortlessly luxurious), containing rich hardwood floors, gourmet kitchens, window-filled walls, and sprawling layouts that rival an executive townhouse.
Residents still enjoy soaring ceiling heights and mezzanine areas, but comfort takes precedent here.
The one major drawback of The Loretto is the very low turnover rate: I notify my clients immediately when these lofts come on the market, as they seldom do and often sell within a couple of days.
Queen West
Often referred to as West Queen West, this trendsetting neighbourhood is home to fashion-forward residents, an array of boutiques, great cafes, charming bars and some of Toronto’s most unique loft spaces — my personal favourite being the Chocolate Company Lofts.
Why I Picked the Chocolate Company Lofts:
Over 100 years old, the Chocolate Company Lofts (955 Queen St West) was originally owned by Patterson Candy Company, and true to its name it was originally used as a chocolate factory.
That bit of authenticity gives the building a leg up on your average purpose-built loft, and it also speaks to the heritage features found within: units come equipped with original exposed brick walls, wood beams, ductwork, and warehouse-style windows.
The building also houses a number of soft loft units that offer a warmer aesthetic than their hard loft (original) counterparts, though they still feature industrial touches in the form of exposed concrete ceilings and ductwork. Interestedly, this is also the condo I'm asked about the most often in Queen West.
Yorkville
An obvious choice, Yorkville remains one of the most in-demand condo neighbourhoods in Toronto. Between its acclaimed dining options and high-end shops on the “Mink Mile”, there are very few drawbacks to living in Yorkville — other than the very high cost, of course. Condos here tend to have extensive amenities, high-quality finishes, and prices to match, and The Hazelton is no exception.
Why I Picked The Hazelton:
Many buyers love boutique buildings for the privacy and enhanced sense of community they offer, and with just 16 units spread over 9 storeys, the Hazelton is considered boutique by any standard. Despite its small size, residents enjoy an array of amenities including an indoor pool, saunas, a gym, a concierge, and more.
Unit sizes are beyond generous, with suites ranging from 2,800 square feet up to 7,600. Prospective buyers can expect hardwood flooring, luxurious kitchens fit for a restaurant, lavish bathrooms, private elevator access, and prices that will have you picking their jaws up off the floor.
King West
If any neighbourhood is able to compete with Yorkville’s fine-dining options, it’s King West. In addition, this neighbourhood contains countless cafes, pubs and clubs, and Toronto’s biggest and best attractions are just steps away in the entertainment district. While King West’s formerly industrial nature has made it a hot spot for loft conversions, it’s the modern condo known as Theatre Park that’s caught my eye over the past couple of years.
Why I Picked Theatre Park:
There’s a lot to love about Theatre Park: its stylish and modern exterior and convenient amenities, the abundance of dining and nightlife options nearby, and a streetcar line just outside the lobby doors.
Of course, none of this would matter without impressive suites, which is just what you’ll find here. Homes in the building boast ten-foot ceilings, hardwood flooring, granite or marble countertops, breathtaking city views through floor-to-ceiling window walls, and sometimes even fireplaces.
St. Lawrence Market
As long as Toronto has existed, so too has the St. Lawrence Market (though technically it originally belonged to the town of York). Today this neighbourhood is best known for the market that bears its name and the character-rich heritage buildings that surround it. I’ve always felt the area is like King West lite: it’s still very much ‘downtown’, although with less bustle and a greater sense of community.
Surrounded by public transit, nightlife, restaurants, and the excitement of the Entertainment District, there’s not much more you could ask from a neighbourhood — except perhaps a condo like The Berczy.
Why I Picked the Berczy:
There was a lot of trepidation in the area when the Berczy was announced as many locals felt it would clash with surrounding buildings, however, the building has managed to blend in perfectly with the historical architecture.
The exterior of The Berczy (55 Front St East) juxtaposes old and new aesthetics, with a red brick façade on the bottom and modern glass on top. The building also features energy-efficient engineering (including green roofs), as well as plenty of desirable extras. Once inside the units, you’ll find quartz countertops in designer kitchens, wide plank hardwood floors, and expansive open-concept layouts.
Leslieville
Formerly industrial areas are a breeding ground for authentic hard lofts, and Leslieville is home to some of the most unique conversions in the city. Residents can often be found sipping an espresso in a cozy cafe or judiciously tasting craft beers, and the village-like feel of the neighbourhood always keeps things casual. As a popular spot for artists and creative types, it only makes sense that a loft like the I-Zone would be found in the area.
Why I Picked The I-Zone Live/Work Lofts:
In a word: Grit. The I-Zone might not be the most desirable in the neighbourhood, but in my opinion, it's the most authentic and unique among most conversion lofts in the city.
Soaring mezzanine living spaces contain ceilings as high as 30 feet, polished concrete floors, exposed brick walls, ductwork, tongue and groove or rafter ceilings, and exposed steel trusses — you really couldn’t cram any more loft features into one building.
Most unique of all is the building’s live/work designation, which allows these lofts to double as studio space for artists and photographers. Whenever I'm working with a client who truly despises the modern, sterile, ‘hotel’-style condo, this is a building I always pay close attention to.
I hope you found this list helpful! Feel free to contact me if you’d like to see any of these condos or would like additional neighbourhood recommendations better tailored to your personal taste — there are many other excellent options.
If you’d like to start with a discussion about your criteria, call me at 902-719-9121 or send an email to jenelle@strata.ca. I’m always happy to help!
