1842 Queen Street E

Inside a cozy corner of The Beaches neighbourhood known as the Beach Triangle sits the Beach House Loft — a building as unique as the area it resides in. This boutique soft loft at 1842 Queen Street East is within reach of downtown Toronto, while moments from the balmy shores of Lake Ontario; the region is somehow eccentric, hyper-local, and peaceful, all at the same time.

Toronto condos for sale in The Beaches are hard enough to come by (meaning lofts here are all the more rare), which is yet another ingredient that makes the Beach House Lofts so distinctive. Built in 2005, the concept already had its roots laid down — Beach House Lofts are the sequel to and neighbour of the Academy Lane Lofts at 1852 Queen East. Building on the triumph of this predecessor, Streetcar Developments wound up taking home a Toronto Urban Design Award for the Beach House Lofts a few years later.

These lofts are also exclusive for more than just their intimate size — while the building is divided into only 12 units, it was built before the majority of other lofts in The Beaches had arrived. And while certain potential buyers are scared off by big-brand retail on the ground floor, others will revel in the fact that a venti Pike Place or a caramel macchiato is only a set of stairs away.

Once within the modest grey stucco of 1842 Queen East, natural light pours through warehouse windows to illuminate these sun drenched lofts. Typical loft design features at the Beach House Lofts include hardwood floors, exposed brick, and 17-foot ceilings.

Ranging from around 600 to 1,700 square feet, the units enjoy inventive layouts with three levels each, and embrace an open concept atmosphere. Outdoor spaces are similarly unique: one unit boasts a multi-level terrace with views of Lake Ontario, while another features a tiered corner sundeck with panoramic views facing both south and west.

Near the intersection of Queen Street East and Woodbine Avenue, even residents working in the financial district of one of North America’s busiest cities is able to take an evening stroll down to the boardwalk. During the summertime, Woodbine Beach is a short walk away. Here, residents can enjoy sunbathing, beach volleyball, or even a swim in the Donald D. Summerville Olympic Swimming Pool.

Businesses along Queen East prove that this area is about more than just the lake. A myriad of creative independent businesses line the street, including a butcher, a fish shop, and of course a crowd favourite for ice cream — Ed’s Real Scoop.

Also, each year The Beaches is also host to an international jazz festival, where for a few weeks in the summer neighbours share the land with tourists from other areas of the city and beyond.

Queen Street is a major arterial road that residents can use to access the centre of downtown Toronto. Streetcars carry passengers to the west end of the city, with the option to transfer onto the subway at Queen station on the Yonge line.

Drivers can reach the downtown core via Queen Street, or alternatively by way of Lakeshore Boulevard. From here, the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway can be reached with ease.