Robert Watson Lofts

There are a couple of Toronto lofts that allow adults to live out their childhood dreams — to live in a candy factory. Okay, so this one might not be fully functioning anymore, but it without a doubt passes the litmus test for authenticity. Although its former function isn’t clear at first, a little research will unveil that Robert Watson was the owner and namesake of the candy company known as Robert Watson & Co.

While the Candy Factory Lofts may be an obvious choice for prospective buyers with a sweet tooth for history, the Robert Watson Lofts at 363-369 Sorauren are no less spectacular. Nestled a little west of the downtown core, in the lower-key (and possibly even more posh) Roncesvalles neighbourhood, the building is made up of 153 hard lofts chock-full of character.

All this character mostly owes to the factory’s age — new buildings have their perks but they can’t possibly contain this sort of historical quality just yet. The building was originally constructed in 1907, after Robert Watson & Co. had already had 25 years of experience under its belt. Today the structure serves as evidence of Toronto’s industrial past, as well as home to some very fortunate residents thanks to Sky developments.

The conversion into the Robert Watson Lofts took place when the building was exactly a century old. Even while maintaining the integrity of the façade, the developers in charge of the renovation process were able to create a considerable number of homes by adding new structures on the same property, as well as above the building itself. This way, buyers interested in the building include hard and soft loft seekers alike.

Connecting the old and new structures is a landscaped courtyard, which residents can use to visit neighbours, or simply to hunker down in with a good book. Other amenities resulted from Sky Developments’ renovations to 363-369 Sorauren Avenue. While many smaller hard lofts in the city lack the space for extras, residents have access to an exercise facility, a meeting room, and a party room, as well as a rooftop garden.

Faded white paint suggests to pedestrians that this building is too important to tear down. The Neo-classical red brick façade and (no longer functioning) smoke stack are additional hints. Once inside, the lofts get even better.