1205 Queen Street W

Marking one entrance to the Parkdale neighbourhood is the Canadian Pacific Railway track, as it passes over the intersection of Queen and Dufferin Streets. Yet another — albeit younger — boundary is the Q Lofts.

Built in 2015 by Tact Architecture Inc and Royal Queen Developments, this contemporary construction was a much-welcomed addition to the area. In fact, developments like these are what continue to drive the type of acceleration and transformation necessary to keep Toronto in forward motion.

Once an area filled with mansions and their affluent owners, the neighbourhood took a turn after the construction of the Gardiner Expressway. In recent years, Parkdale has benefited from the conversion of older constructions into updated residences, as well as brand new Toronto lofts like the one at 1205 Queen West.

At 7 storeys tall, the Q Lofts avoids overpowering its historical neighbours. In fact, the building blends in quite nicely with its surrounding architecture: the brick base almost seems as if it is an authentic warehouse leftover from industrial times. Upon closer inspection, however, windows appear glossy and new, bricks unfaded, having not spent the good part of a century sitting out in the sun.

Another aspect separating the Q lofts from their more mature counterparts is their modern amenities. A gym sheathed in glass looks out over Dufferin Street, with people watching offering a distraction for those on the treadmill. The ground floor is also host to a number of retail businesses, with landscaped paths along Queen and Dufferin offering a pleasant route to and from the shops.

The Q Lofts is an intimate building, with only 70 units spread out over 7 storeys. Toronto condos for sale in this building range in size, offering something for everyone: the lofts begin at 450 square feet and reach to 1,600 at their largest. Certain homes span two storeys, while some may even come with a parking space.

No matter the size, many of the lofts at 1205 Queen West afford their residents with private outdoor spaces to enjoy when the weather permits. Balconies that range from Juliet to Terrace, and are apparent from the street view (i.e. envy inducing), grace most of the units.

Following a static period, today the Parkdale neighbourhood is lively as ever. Artists and professionals working in creative fields have taken advantage of slightly lower prices in this westward neighbourhood.

Both hard and soft lofts, as well as single-family homes, provide housing for the intuitive types that have realized the potential of this neighbourhoods. Businesses are following suit as well, with veteran chefs opting for Parkdale as the backdrop for their latest endeavours.

Neighbourhood favourites include Tibetan momos (dumplings) from Loga’s corner, or Parts and Labour for dance parties, classy cocktails, and some of the city’s best burgers. The Kitten and the Bear may not have a ton of seating, but their homemade scones and jam more than make up for this — residents can grab one to go before heading to Sunnyside Beach for the day.

Besides the shops, bars, restaurants, and galleries on Queen Street West, residents can explore adjacent areas such as Liberty Village and Roncesvalles. For those looking to stay active, High Park and Trinity Bellwoods Park are about equidistant from the Q Lofts. Trinity Bellwoods Park is an ideal spot for picnicking and people watching, as well as a round of tennis or a walk with the dog. High Park, on the other hand, boasts 400 acres of outdoor space to get lost in on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Traveling around Toronto is simple with 1205 Queen West as a starting point. For one, the Gardiner Expressway is just around the corner, by way of the Jameson Avenue on ramp. From here, residents can motor around the southern edge of the city, or transfer onto the 427 for access to Pearson International Airport.

Even those without a car can access both of Toronto’s airports in no time. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport can be reached in 25 minutes from the Q Lofts on the TTC. Alternatively, Pearson is still less than an hour away when using the UP service, which departs from the station at Dundas West and Bloor.

For those working in the Financial District, heading to a show in the theatre or Entertainment District, or exploring another area of the city, the Queen Street West streetcar will come in handy. This service runs 24 hours a day as well, so residents will never feel pressured to call it a night too early.