Friday, May 29, 2015

Factory Turned Lofts

This has to be one of the largest factories in the city that has been turned into lofts. Known as the Foundry Lofts, this was just one of the buildings belonging to the Canada Foundry Corporation and it was built in 1903 as a train factory and continued as such until 1923 when the complex was sold to the Canadian General Electric Company.  The building wasn't used for much more than storage or movie shoots through the 1980s & 90s until being given heritage designation and being converted into lofts. The building is a whole city block long and that glassed in area at the top covers an atrium which runs the whole length and which acts as the entry hall for all the units. I was in the building in the 90s when it was totally open space and it was very impressive with a huge span across the entire structure. I'll show you the other end tomorrow.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

As soon as I saw the building I thought it was a train shed. Grace from Perth Daily Photo sent me here as in July we will spend a couple of days in Toronto and I have been looking through your blog to see what is to be seen. Toronto has more saved historic buildings than I thought.

Unknown said...

I bet the lofts are just great!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Perfect re use for such a building Pat, I'm guessing there would be quite a few it's a huge structure.
P.s. Andrew above from Melbourne is lovely!

Lowell said...

I've never been much for "lofts" in old factories, but I'd like to see the interior and what some of the lofts look like. And I'm glad that the building was repurposed this way.

TexWisGirl said...

what a great new use for this big building!

Revrunner said...

Great idea!

William Kendall said...

It's a good conversion for the building.

Jackie McGuinness said...

Hi! I posted a comment over on your blog.

VP said...

It is always a good thing to see buildings like these 'recycled' in something more compatible with an urban setting.

Stephanie said...

Looks like a great way to recycle a building. I am curious what they look like inside.

Anonymous said...

I wonder how much they sell for?

Lynette said...

It's great that this building still serves a purpose for the area. I'm very curious about how the lofts look--I've always thought it would be neat to live in one, but I'm very happy with my studio in my mid-1920s building.

Sharon said...

I love that the outside still looks like a factory. In fact, I wouldn't have guessed lofts just looking at the photo. They've done a good job with the reuse.

cieldequimper said...

Wow, what a place for flats, sorry lofts! Brilliant new use (but I wouldn't want to have to clean those big windows!!!)

21 Wits said...

Interesting idea!

Randy said...

What a great place to live.

Unknown said...

Cool building, great place to live, I look forward to seeing more shots..

Cloudia said...

good to save and re-adapt the old.
I like this


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ALOHA from Honolulu,
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=

Luis Gomez said...

What a great structure I am glad it was saved.

Luis Gomez said...

What a great structure I am glad it was saved.

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm thinking the lofts are rather classy!

Laura. M said...

Woowww....It is very large !!!