Foundry Lofts

From first glance, it’s quite obvious that the Foundry Lofts are special. Rather than being special in a sparkling glass tower sort of way, the authentic hard loft at 1100 Lansdowne Avenue has the sort of remarkable quality that only 100-year-old buildings have acquired over time. Curious to know more? There’s a heritage plaque out front that explains the Foundry Lofts’ historical significance, and interior walls are even decorated with archival photographs that tell the building’s story.

But rather than making our readers make an extra trip, we’ll explain a little about the history of 1100 Lansdowne here. In the late 1800s, the Canadian Foundry Corporation (CFC) began producing railcars on Front Street in Toronto. After about 30 years, the manufacturing plant moved to this very location on Lansdowne Avenue. Their new factory was so large that the CFC was able to branch out — 1100 Lansdowne quickly became the site where everything from railroad tracks to fire hydrants were created.

As of the late 20th century, the factory ceased production, as did many industrial spaces in Toronto’s downtown core. While it took about 25 years to decide what to do with the structure, thankfully in 2004 it was granted heritage status. E-Park Developments stepped into the picture a few years later, carefully converting the former factory into just over 100 Toronto lofts ready to be inhabited in 2008.

Burka Architects did the design work, and managed to carve liveable hard lofts out of the building’s skeletal structure, while maintaining the integrity of the building at the same time. The deep red brick looks perfectly worn from the outside, and can again be appreciated from the 16,000 square foot atrium once inside. Since creative repurposing is what a good hard loft conversion is all about, it only makes sense that developers would place a parking garage where trains were once stored.

Residents are proud of their building’s heritage: a beautification project is headed up by volunteer residents, who are responsible for the photographs on the walls as well as other art found throughout the building.

Besides this project, the building has a general sense of community unmatched by many other condos in the city: loft socials are held in the atrium on major holidays. For those in need of some more privacy, however, there’s always a smaller party room available. The building also boasts a meeting room, a theatre, and exercise facilities.