55 Centre Avenue

Not every buyer on the hunt for Toronto condos for sale requires something shiny and new. Those who prefer to purchase a home that’s tried and true can look no further than Chestnut Park. After all, it was built in the 1990s — a decade whose styles have made quite a comeback.

Residents living at 55 Centre Avenue also share the building with a history-minded occupant. The Textile Museum of Canada is located in the building, as is its collection of artifacts that dates back nearly 2,000 years. Thankfully the museum is rather small, meaning residents aren’t bothered by hoards of tourists. The TMC takes up just 25,000 square feet of space in the building, and some even view it as an amenity in its own right.

Speaking of small, Chestnut Park is an intimately sized building, with only 137 units in all. The tower reaches to 22 storeys, and its masonry is a lighter tone than more traditional red brick structures, giving the robust building a softer side.

Although residents don’t access to too many flashy amenities, the homes at 55 Centre are generously sized — plus the City Centre neighbourhood is also stocked with everything one can ask for. Nevertheless, a 24-hour concierge is stationed in the building, and there’s plenty of visitor parking to go around.

After entering Chestnut Park through the large brick archway that covers the front entrance, residents come home to suites that vary considerably in size. The units start at around 550 square feet and reach to approximately 2,200. Even with just over 100 downtown Toronto condos in this building, this property attracts a diverse group of homeowners. Between bachelor, junior one bedroom, two bedroom plus den, and penthouse suites, anyone from a single professional to a sizeable family — and perhaps their pets — can be comfortable here.

Seeing as the building has been around for some time now, the homes inside 55 Centre are also diverse in appearance. Some units have been renovated over the years, while others are ready and waiting for buyers with creative pursuits in mind. Some homes boast solariums, while others feature multiple terraces, and many are equipped with large, bright windows.

Located in City Centre, as the address suggests, 55 Centre is the ideal place for those who prefer to live an active, urban lifestyle. In fact, the building is just steps away from Toronto City Hall.

While locals don’t always think to visit City Hall for fun, Toronto’s municipal building is quite the attraction. Not only is there a rooftop garden to explore during the warmer season, but the fountain at Nathan Philip Square (just in front of the building) turns into one of the city’s most popular skating rinks once winter hits. And best of all, a Toronto Public Library branch is situated on the ground level of City Hall, which can of course be used year-round.

Foodies living at Chestnut Park are also in luck. The strip of Dundas West between University and Bay has recently been hailed as Toronto’s ‘Little Tokyo’ thanks to its scores of ramen shops and Japanese bakeries. Those willing to venture a little further can also find authentic Chinese food just west of University, where Chinatown begins.

As for those who prefer to cook, groceries can be gathered at a number of places. One great option is the Lucky Moose Food Mart, an independent shop located beside the Art Gallery of Ontario, while The Kitchen Table is also just a short walk away, in the basement of the Atrium on Bay.

Living in the heart of downtown Toronto means transportation is a breeze, with or without a car. Those looking to escape the city altogether can even hop onto a Greyhound bus, as the station is a five-minute walk away from 55 Centre. Alternatively, Union Station takes 6 minutes to reach via subway, where passengers can reach GO Transit and VIA Rail services, as well as the UP Express to Pearson International Airport.

When traveling within the city limits, residents also have plenty of choices. St. Patrick Station is 150 metres away (or a 2-minute walk), and from there travelers can catch subway trains bound for stops to the north or south. Destinations to the east or west might involve a ride on the Dundas streetcar, which stops one block from Chestnut Park in either direction, at Chestnut and University.