Condomonium: $1.2 million for an industrial-chic loft across the street from Trinity Bellwoods Park
ADDRESS: 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Niagara
AGENT: Philip Beecher, Right at Home Realty
PRICE: $1,189,000
THE PLACE: A southwest-facing two-bedroom suite in the Candy Factory Lofts, just across the street from Trinity Bellwoods Park. The building’s conversion into condos in 1999 jumpstarted the city’s mania for hard lofts and any property described as “authentic.”
BRAGGING RIGHTS: Units throughout the century-old building contain the original brick and beams, but this condo is one of only a handful that has the original metal elevator doors as well. Loft cred!
BIG SELLING POINT: This is open-concept done properly. A few pillars and well-placed walls divide the space into logical areas for living, dining and sleeping without compromising the sight lines or blocking the huge arched windows.
POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER: The cool factor in this condo is high, and you’d better have the furniture to match. Boring dining room sets or your parents’ mismatched cast-offs aren’t going to cut it.
BY THE NUMBERS:
• $1,189,000
• 1,850 square feet
• $736.57 in monthly maintenance fees
• 13-foot high ceilings
• 8 arched windows
• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
127465 An all-white bathroom with a sliding door (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_21.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_21/ mar12hotwcandy_21 0 0
An all-white bathroom with a sliding door (Image: JJ Thompson)
127464 More stenciling and a modern credenza add interest to a second bedroom (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_20.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_20/ mar12hotwcandy_20 0 0
More stenciling and a modern credenza add interest to a second bedroom (Image: JJ Thompson)
127463 Three large windows make for a bright bedroom (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_19.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_19/ mar12hotwcandy_19 0 0
Three large windows make for a bright bedroom (Image: JJ Thompson)
127462 The master bedroom overlooks the newly landscaped CAMH grounds and has an ensuite bathroom (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_18.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_18/ mar12hotwcandy_18 0 0
The master bedroom overlooks the newly landscaped CAMH grounds and has an ensuite bathroom (Image: JJ Thompson)
127461 In a brightly coloured den, the television may not be the only thing blaring (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_17.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_17/ mar12hotwcandy_17 0 0
In a brightly coloured den, the television may not be the only thing blaring (Image: JJ Thompson)
127459 Wooden beams help divide the space into separate areas for lounging and dining (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_16.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_16/ mar12hotwcandy_16 0 0
Wooden beams help divide the space into separate areas for lounging and dining (Image: JJ Thompson)
127458 The loft has windows facing south and west (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_15.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_15/ mar12hotwcandy_15 0 0
The loft has windows facing south and west (Image: JJ Thompson)
127457 Lighting below the cabinets illuminates the gas stove (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_14.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_14/ mar12hotwcandy_14 0 0
Lighting below the cabinets illuminates the gas stove (Image: JJ Thompson)
127455 White Corian countertops, combined with white backsplash and cabinetry, makes a (very white) statement (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_13.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_13/ mar12hotwcandy_13 0 0
White Corian countertops, combined with white backsplash and cabinetry, makes a (very white) statement (Image: JJ Thompson)
127454 More industrial details (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_12.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_12/ mar12hotwcandy_12 0 0
More industrial details (Image: JJ Thompson)
127453 The entire condo has cedar ceilings (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_11.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_11/ mar12hotwcandy_11 0 0
The entire condo has cedar ceilings (Image: JJ Thompson)
127451 One of the least kitchen-like kitchens we’ve ever seen (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_9.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_9/ mar12hotwcandy_9 0 0
One of the least kitchen-like kitchens we’ve ever seen (Image: JJ Thompson)
127450 The kitchen has stainless-steel Bosch appliances (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_8.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_8/ mar12hotwcandy_8 0 0
The kitchen has stainless-steel Bosch appliances (Image: JJ Thompson)
127449 The wooden island that bisects the kitchen takes advantage of the loft’s length (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_7.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_7/ mar12hotwcandy_7 0 0
The wooden island that bisects the kitchen takes advantage of the loft’s length (Image: JJ Thompson)
127448 West Elm would be proud (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_6.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_6/ mar12hotwcandy_6 0 0
West Elm would be proud (Image: JJ Thompson)
127447 Storage areas are tucked away, freeing the condo of visual clutter (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_5.jpg 415 624 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_5/ mar12hotwcandy_5 0 0
Storage areas are tucked away, freeing the condo of visual clutter (Image: JJ Thompson)
127446 The cheery pattern in the hallway was made using a stencil imported from England (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_4.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_4/ mar12hotwcandy_4 0 0
The cheery pattern in the hallway was made using a stencil imported from England (Image: JJ Thompson)
127443 Looking straight down the length of the apartment to the arched windows, vestiges of the building’s former life as a factory (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_2.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_2/ mar12hotwcandy_2 0 0
Looking straight down the length of the apartment to the arched windows, vestiges of the building’s former life as a factory (Image: JJ Thompson)
127442 The chalkboard wall lets your guests get creative (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_1.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_1/ mar12hotwcandy_1 0 0
The chalkboard wall lets your guests get creative (Image: JJ Thompson)
127485 Brick, beams and the original metal elevator door (bolted to the wall near the bedrooms) all contribute to the industrial loft appeal (Image: JJ Thompson) 993 Queen Street West, Unit 301 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/mar12HOTWCandy_intro.jpg 656 435 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/condomonium-993-queen-street-west/slide/mar12hotwcandy_intro/ mar12hotwcandy_intro 0 0
Brick, beams and the original metal elevator door (bolted to the wall near the bedrooms) all contribute to the industrial loft appeal (Image: JJ Thompson)
The Ossington bus stops right where the master bedroom window is. I can just imagine the beep beep beep of the lowering platform going on all night.
maria: smile more, worry less
Love this building, always have. Even if it has a bus stop right in front of it, you know, like every other major corner in Toronto.
Love! the yellow wallpaper, the storage cupboards and the wall of kitchen cabinets.
OK, this is actually pretty cool and seemingly worth the price. Well done, TL.
I saw this and several other units at the Candy Factory in 1999. If memory serves it was about 1/2 this current list price, but I may be remembering other unit.
Candy Factory was following on from Gotham on King, the huge Sears building conversion on Mutual, Wrigley Lofts on Carlaw and the conversion on Sorauren north side of the park.
To Candy Factory’s credit just about all the available units had acceptable layouts; the Sears lofts were all bowling alleys, and the other two had a mix of layouts.
The Candy Factory lofts were significantly more expensive than the other concurrent loft conversions. Also, that area of Queen West, then rather undesirable, was nothing like it is today.
Very nice indeed…. Love it.. Thank you TL. Donald—> We needed that history lesson cause?! LOL
This is still the landmark loft in the downtown core and you can see why. No glass falling off this one! Ever since my 10LoftsInADay tours started here in 2002 (with 20-30 in each tour), it’s still one of the top draws. In fact, when I asked esteemed local artist, David Crighton, to capture this space he did so gladly. Here is the link if interested:
http://www.davidcrighton.com/Unique/candyLofts.html
I like this building. The updates in this unit are nice. BUT, look at the prices from even just a couple of years ago – far less than the asking here. Don’t overpay.
I think the photographer must have been a little hungry, 10 shots out of the 20 are of the kitchen.
Love the space, hate the wallpaper, hate the neighbourhood (bad mix of hipsters and bums).
Overpriced for this hipster, almost dormitory-like, space. Feels like an IKEA store that should have a case of Bud Light in the kitchen.
I don’t think you guys included enough pictures of the kitchen
Surprisingly nice place for a TL pick. My only issue with it is that there doesn’t seem to be a kitchen….