799 College Street

The Cube Lofts at 799 College Street are surprisingly un-cubelike. Symmetry is nonexistent; six equal surfaces are difficult to locate. But at the end of the day, none of this really matters. What is important, however, is the very existence of this cool, neo-modern mid-rise building, and the Toronto lofts found within.

The exterior of the Cube Lofts is made up of a combination of materials: steel, glass, and grey stone come together for a fresh take on Trinity Bellwoods' residential spaces. Thankfully, the glossy look of the building at 799 College is constrained by its mid-rise status. At just 6 storeys tall, the structure manages to avoid overwhelming the block’s historical neighbours.

These tasteful soft lofts are the result of a combined effort by Neilas Inc., Quadrangle Architects & Raw Design in 2014. The architects chose to set the top storeys back from curb level, while as many contemporary amenities as possible were fit into this humbly sized structure. Residents can enjoy spending time on the common rooftop terrace and garden, which is fully equipped with barbecues for summertime cookouts.

Unsurprisingly, Toronto condos for sale in this boutique building hardly ever appear on the market. With only 21 soft lofts, the exclusivity inherent in the Cube Lofts only makes them more appealing to some. Other attractive aspects include the two expansive penthouse units that span 2,100 square feet and two storeys each. These penthouse lofts also boast direct elevator-to-suite access, as well as private rooftop terraces

Prospective buyers who couldn’t even imagine what to do with all of that space, on the other hand, will be more interested in some of the smaller units at 799 College, which begin at around 550 square feet.

Whether someone falls for a place with one bedroom or two, the variety of sizes at the Cube Lofts is just the tip of the iceberg. These contemporary homes boast quintessential soft loft elements, including high ceilings, concrete pillars, floor-to-ceiling windows, and some particularly special mezzanine style layouts.

Those who adore natural sunlight and sweeping views, but still value their privacy, need not worry either. Reflective glass is used throughout the Cube Lofts, meaning curtains can be left open without thinking twice about what passersby might see.

While this building calls Trinity Bellwoods home, you could easily make a case for Palmerston | Little Italy as well. Yes, Little Italy does have more than just delicious Italian Food. But it also has plenty of delicious Italian food, so we might as well start with that. Decades-old institutions grace College Street, especially on the very strip where the Cube Lofts can be found, between Bathurst and Ossington. Sicilian Ice Cream, for example, has been serving up Gelato since 1959, while Café Diplomatico has been the go-to spot for pizza and pasta since ‘68.

Beyond the obvious, though, Little Italy has much more to offer to the locals who live here. A number of theatres and concert venues line College Street, such as Mod Club and the Royal Cinema. Trendy bars have even begun to take up residence in the area, including Bar Volo’s new manifestation, Birreria Volo.

The surrounding areas are equally as exciting, such as Kensington Market; Kensington is an eclectic hub where organic groceries co-mingle with artisan bakeries and vintage shops. Trinity Bellwoods, on the other hand, is packed with independent cafés and boutiques, all of which surround one of the most popular parks in the city.

With its address directly on College Street, even residents without access to a car can zoom around the city in no time. A 15-minute ride on the College streetcar will land passengers at Queens Park station on the University-Spadina line. And during blistering Canadian winters, residents will be pleased to hear that the streetcar makes a stop just a block away, at Crawford Street.

Those who prefer to get around by bike are well situated too. Bicycle lanes grace Shaw Street for those riding north and south, while College provides a safe east-west cycling route.

And last but not least, drivers living at 799 College can make use of major arterial roads like Ossington and College to travel around the immediate area. Alternatively, the Gardiner Expressway can be accessed via Jameson Avenue, which is an ideal method of reaching Pearson International Airport.

Speaking of airports, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is also not far off, and can be reached in only 30 minutes via TTC. Even Pearson is only a 45-minute ride away when using the UP service from the nearby Bloor GO/UP station.