80 John Street

Living in the tower atop the TIFF Bell Lightbox has its perks during festival season — and we don’t just mean the ability to line up early in order to get good seats. Rather, residents of the Festival Tower are provided a three-year membership upon moving into 80 John Street, which includes tickets to festival films, VIP parties, and other TIFF-related events throughout the year.

Kirkor Architects designed both the TIFF Bell Lightbox and the Festival tower above, allowing the residential tower to blend seamlessly with the cultural centre below. Residents therefore have easy access to the theatres, gallery, library, and restaurant below.

And while these homes aren’t directly affiliated with a hotel per se, the hotel-like amenities include the ability to hire a masseuse or dog walker, or have one’s dry cleaning done without leaving the building.

The building also boasts multiple party rooms with catering kitchen, however these are not your typical condo common spaces — the party rooms are seriously stylish as far as condominium amenities are concerned. Residents are also privy to a gym, sauna, and indoor pool, a rooftop terrace, a business centre with meeting room, guest suites, and of course a concierge to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Built in 2001, the Festival Tower is home to 378 units, which can be found spread out over 42 storeys. The Daniels Corporation oversaw the construction at 80 John, and its success has resulted in non-industry residents living amongst film executives, such as Kindergarten Cop and Road Trip producer Ivan Reitman.

It should come to no surprise that the Festival Tower contains both humbly sized homes suitable for first-time buyers and those that would make a movie director feel equally at home. Suites at 80 John Street start at approximately 500 square feet, and reach to around 2,800, so these Toronto condos for sale are suitable for everyone from young professionals to growing families.

The standard home is hard to define, as these range from studios to two bedroom plus den units. Penthouses stand out from the rest, however, with up to 12-foot ceilings, 3 bedrooms, views of Lake Ontario and the CN Tower, floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows, plus multiple balconies.

Throughout the building, prospective buyers can expect to find elegant finishes including hardwood floors, contemporary kitchens, large and relaxing bathtubs, and 9-10 foot ceilings.

The Festival Tower may be located in King West neighbourhood in the heart of the Entertainment District, but more importantly it lies in the centre of the annual Toronto International Film Festival scene. Residents can throw on a pair of jeans and some sneakers, and catch one quick elevator in order to be first in line for the must-see screenings.

When the festival excitement subsides, residents lives will stay just as exhilarating. With streets like King, Queen, Adelaide and Richmond so close at hand, those living at 80 John can find a place to shop, dine out, or grab an after work drink without having to stray too far from home.

The TIFF Bell Lightbox aside, many other cultural venues grace the Entertainment District — hence the name. Residents can head out on foot in order to watch a live production at the Royal Alexandra or Princess of Wales Theatre. Alternatively, those interested in live music can watch the Toronto Symphony Orchestra perform at Roy Thompson Hall, or attend a concert at Massey Hall.

Those who love the great outdoors are in luck, as an address like 80 John Street means living within close proximity to a number of green spaces, as well as Lake Ontario. David Pecaut Square and Clarence Square Dog Park will do the trick when a quick park fix is required, while slightly longer journeys will land one at HTO Park or the Toronto Music Garden for views of the lake.

With St. Andrew Station only 400 metres from the front doors of the Festival Tower, residents can reach the Yonge-University-Spadina line in about 5 minutes on foot. Thanks to the PATH, this journey can even be made underground — especially helpful during those brutal winter months.

Alternatively, streetcars along King Street West will transport passengers toward surrounding neighbourhioods like the historic Distillery District or Liberty Village, while Spadina Avenue streetcars provide service through Chinatown and up to Spadina Station on the Bloor-Danforth line.

Drivers can head south down Spadina in order to reach the Gardiner Expressway, a fast-moving highway that carries cars east and west along the shores of Lake Ontario. From here, the 427 is just a quick ride west, while an eastbound trip on the Gardiner will land one at the base of the Don Valley Parkway.