289 Sumach Lofts

Sometimes when the terms exclusive or intimate are used, they imply buildings that are just cozy enough for neighbours to recognize one another in the lobby. The 289 Sumach Lofts, however, is much more special than that.

The entire building is broken up into only 10 Toronto lofts, and ones that also happen to sell extremely fast: one home that came up on the market in 2014 was sold within a mere 24 hours.

The two-storey, Romanesque Revival building was constructed in 1890, and has since achieved a well-deserved heritage status. What is now a stunning hard loft conversion was originally home to the Ontario Medical College for Women, an institution with quite the history.

This was the locale where women doctors were trained during turn of the century, after Dr. Emily Stowe established the College. Stowe also happens to be the first Canadian woman doctor (and also a suffragist). The college functioned until 1905, when women were finally allowed to study medicine at the University of Toronto, and from 1906 to 1980s it served various industrial purposes.

Bob Mitchell developed the edifice in 1985, at which time he created 10 modern homes. He was able, thankfully, to preserve the majority of original façade in the process. While the only amenity at 289 Sumach is parking, residents have yet to complain, thanks to the idyllic locale and vintage aesthetics. And to top it all off, those with furry friends will be glad to learn that 289 Sumach is a pet-friendly community.