10 Sword Street

The authentic Toronto lofts at 10 Sword Street fits like a glove in its Cabbagetown locale. Much like the rest of the homes in the neighbourhood, the Sword Street Lofts is casually elegant, understated, and charming.

The building at 10 Sword Street is a hard loft conversion, and that fact is obvious even upon first glance. The classic red brick style, when emulated on modern buildings, simply never looks the same.

Built in the 1940s, 10 Sword Street was home to military manufacturers of some sort, before hosting the Sword Street Press until its conversion by Peach Pit Projects Ltd. almost thirty years later.

During its residential redevelopment, the building was divided into only 11 units. If you haven’t already guessed, this equates to exclusivity and desirability galore. As turnover might be quite low here, prospective buyers swooning over the lofts often feel a sense of unrequited love. But there is always hope, and those who have fallen for the Sword Street Lofts are encouraged to keep an eye out for Toronto condos for sale in the building.

In the past, creative types have called these lofts home, including a sculptor, a photographer, and an author. Consequently, the lobby is, too, filled with art. And while it’s unlikely that residents sit in the lobby for inspiration, perhaps they use the Toronto skyline as their muse: a common roof terrace sits atop this low-rise building.

For amenities, the small building leaves little space. However, both bicycle and car parking are available, as well as a camera security system.

While the 1940s brickwork has been meticulously preserved, the interiors at 10 Sword Street have received something of a face-lift. Each unit is unique — unlike more recent conversions, individual owners have had ample time to tweak their homes over the years. Some, therefore, are more contemporary in style; others feature exposed brick and concrete columns or ceilings that hint to the building’s historic nature.

The 11 homes here all have one thing in common, though: they are all large. Sizes start at approximately 1,100 square feet for a one bedroom suite, and reach to two bedroom plus den units that span 2,500 square feet. High ceilings are also universal, with walls reaching to 12 feet tall.

For those who need their privacy, certain units have private entrances. Others boast private outdoor spaces in the form of patios or terraces, which are equipped with gas hookups for barbecues.

Sword Street is a delightful and calm residential street, in the heart of a delightful and calm neighbourhood. Cabbagetown is packed with Victorian-era homes — in fact, this area is home to the largest collection of this type of architecture in North America.

And although Cabbagetown was once given its name for the cabbage that poor residents had to grow to survive, the area has increased in both cool factor and price since the 1840s.

Outdoorsy residents of the Sword Street Lofts are in luck — with Riverdale Park just around the corner, over 100 acres of green is available to explore. This park also boasts a farm (goats, and sheep, and pigs oh my!), multiple baseball diamonds, an off-leash dog area, a wading pool, and more.

Even more adventurous types can access the Don Valley Trail from here, a hiking and cycling route that stretches all the way along the Don River to Lake Ontario.

Drivers heading out from 10 Sword Street can make use of River Street, which connects to Bayview Avenue, eventually providing access to the Don Valley Parkway. From here, northbound travel will land drivers at the 401, while those heading south can transfer onto the Gardiner Expressway.

For a more direct route into the downtown core, drivers can head West along Gerrard, which is just seconds away from the Sword Street Lofts.

As for residents who rely on the TTC, the Gerrard streetcar delivers passengers at College Station on the Yonge subway line in about 10 minutes.