Condomonium: $1 million for the coolest converted-church condo we’ve seen yet
ADDRESS: 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309
NEIGHBOURHOOD: High Park–Swansea
AGENT: Michael Griffiths, Royal LePage
PRICE: $1,099,900
THE PLACE: Built in 1910, the limestone-clad church was converted into the Abbey Lofts in 2007. This three-level condo includes a lookout in the former bell tower and is known as, yes, the Bell Tower unit (bell not included).
BRAGGING RIGHTS: While many church converts have atriums and living spaces that boast high ceilings, they often fall short in the bedroom. Here, however, the master bedroom maintains the castle-like feeling with ceilings that reach 17 feet.
BIG SELLING POINT: Originality. Aside from twisting staircases and rooms that are anything but square, there’s also a window-walled sunroom with built-in benches on the condo’s highest floor.
POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER: The exposed rafters and stained glass give the space a Gothic vibe that might feel foreboding in the evenings. Kind of like Jane Eyre, only with granite counters.
BY THE NUMBERS:
• $1,099,900
• 2,200 square feet
• $701.12 a month in maintenance fees
• 3 levels
• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• 2 balconies
• 2 fireplaces
• 2 parking spaces
• 1 former bell tower
106347 The parking garage 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_25.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_25/ dec11hotwsunnyside_25 0 0
The parking garage
106346 The balcony off the master bedroom 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_24.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_24/ dec11hotwsunnyside_24 0 0
The balcony off the master bedroom
106345 The rest of the parish 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_23.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_23/ dec11hotwsunnyside_23 0 0
The rest of the parish
106344 Just a few steps from omniscience 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_22.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_22/ dec11hotwsunnyside_22 0 0
Just a few steps from omniscience
106343 And lo, there was light. (No bell, sadly.) 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_21.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_21/ dec11hotwsunnyside_21 0 0
And lo, there was light. (No bell, sadly.)
106342 And He said, “Let there be light.” 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_20.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_20/ dec11hotwsunnyside_20 0 0
And He said, “Let there be light.”
106341 The laundry unit 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_19.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_19/ dec11hotwsunnyside_19 0 0
The laundry unit
106340 The second bathroom, with bathtub/personal baptismal pool in the corner 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_18.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_18/ dec11hotwsunnyside_18 0 0
The second bathroom, with bathtub/personal baptismal pool in the corner
106339 Cleanliness is next to godliness. 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_17.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_17/ dec11hotwsunnyside_17 0 0
Cleanliness is next to godliness.
106338 A walk-in closet 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_16.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_16/ dec11hotwsunnyside_16 0 0
A walk-in closet
106337 The second bedroom 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_15.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_15/ dec11hotwsunnyside_15 0 0
The second bedroom
106335 Like the burning bush, this electric fireplace will never run out of fuel. 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_14.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_14/ dec11hotwsunnyside_14 0 0
Like the burning bush, this electric fireplace will never run out of fuel.
106334 The light of the world 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_13.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_13/ dec11hotwsunnyside_13 0 0
The light of the world
106333 Even God needed his day of rest. 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_12.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_12/ dec11hotwsunnyside_12 0 0
Even God needed his day of rest.
106332 The master bedroom, with 17-foot ceilings 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_11.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_11/ dec11hotwsunnyside_11 0 0
The master bedroom, with 17-foot ceilings
106331 We regret using a “Stairway to Heaven” joke last week. 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_10.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_10/ dec11hotwsunnyside_10 0 0
We regret using a “Stairway to Heaven” joke last week.
106330 Worth a chuckle every time you make bread or fish 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_9.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_9/ dec11hotwsunnyside_9 0 0
Worth a chuckle every time you make bread or fish
106329 The full living space 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_8.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_8/ dec11hotwsunnyside_8 0 0
The full living space
106328 The living room, with access to a balcony with a gas barbecue hookup 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_7.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_7/ dec11hotwsunnyside_7 0 0
The living room, with access to a balcony with a gas barbecue hookup
106327 The original stained glass above the fireplace 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_6.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_6/ dec11hotwsunnyside_6 0 0
The original stained glass above the fireplace
106326 The dining room 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_5.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_5/ dec11hotwsunnyside_5 0 0
The dining room
106325 The dining room 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_4.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_4/ dec11hotwsunnyside_4 0 0
The dining room
106324 Two disciples don’t get a chair. 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_3.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_3/ dec11hotwsunnyside_3 0 0
Two disciples don’t get a chair.
106323 A gargoyle to greet your dinner guests 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_2.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_2/ dec11hotwsunnyside_2 0 0
A gargoyle to greet your dinner guests
106322 Your personal sanctuary 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_1.jpg 624 420 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_1/ dec11hotwsunnyside_1 0 0
Your personal sanctuary
106349 Every condo needs its own steeple. 384 Sunnyside Avenue, Unit 309 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dec11HOTWsunnyside_intro.jpg 656 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-384-sunnyside-avenue-unit-309/slide/dec11hotwsunnyside_intro/ dec11hotwsunnyside_intro 0 0
Every condo needs its own steeple.
another beautiful old church massacred by a developer placing profit over the integrity of the historic building being renovated.
chopping a building of large, ornate spaces into teeny-weeny condos is an incredibly difficult design exercise in its own right – having it attempted by a developer with such horrid spatial/architectural/design sensibilities is bound to be a disaster.
in other words, this conversion: horrid
this conversion (linked): good
spatial/architectural/design sensibilities
with all that wood can you just imagine all the creaking noises you would hear in the night???
It is definately interesting to say the least.
The Bell Tower view is fantastic.
Having grown up in the area I’m not sure if it fits the “culture”.
Cosmo Mannella
Their taste in furnishings and decor is horrific…cheap, tacky Leon’s look. Just awful. It is depressing.
Now these are the types of property listings I like to see in Toronto Life! Unique and different. They really should have removed the furniture before photographing to allow people to picture it in their own way.
Gorgeous, I have been looking in the High Park/Roncie area for a condo (although this one is out of my range). It’s so hard to find a condo that’s not just a box, with outdoor space, and this one is close to the park, Roncie shops, the beach and schools. Please Toronto Life show us more of these, I am so tired of concrete cookie cutter spaces. This neighborhood is the best in Toronto, you are in the city but you have so much community and green space. The building is gorgeous and it’s nice to see so much of the original details salvaged in the conversion. Probably the nicest conversion I’ve seen yet.