17/02/10 – Toronto – Apt./Lofts

Good morning, Matthew,
Are there any height restrictions on the loft space we are renovating? Are we talking 10 or 12 foot ceilings? If it is unknown can I take liberties with the height? Also, in general what is the tallest ceiling you are aware of for loft space? I’d like to be within a realistic measurement if I’m allowed to play around.

Comment:

Project Name: Twenty Five Broadway: The Republic – Suite 1A+D

Size: 663 sq ft

Project Address: 25 Broadway Ave Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.tridel.com/republic/p1_25/1ad_suite.php

Slow Home Test Score: 16

Comment:

Project Name: Westside Lofts – Loft 3

Size:

Project Address:

Project URL: http://www.westsidelofts.ca/470sqft-L03.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 10

Comment:

Project Name: Fallingbrook Lofts

Size: 1510 sq ft

Project Address: 160 Fallingbrook Rd

Project URL: http://www.torontolofts.ca/ loft154f_fallingbrook209.html

Slow Home Test Score: 12

Comment: den is a windowless space! master bathroom is tight, and there is no bathroom for use by guests without walking through a bedroom! walkscore was a 62.

Project Name: Kilgour Estate – The Fairmont (Unit 28G)

Size: 1295 sqft

Project Address: 11 Burkebrook Place Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.kilgourestate.com/phasetwo/floor_plans/28G.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 13

Comment: This is the worst one I could find. First, the location is a no (which seems to be rare for apt/lofts). There is no suggestion of environmentally sensitive systems (which in my mind there is no excuse since it’s easy to spec low energy use appliances and low flow fixtures at the very least!). The dining area is no area at all, since you couldn’t fit a table in there and sit at it. Bed 2 is really a study since it’s too small and has no closet space! Bathrooms are insufficient since what’s there is not enough space for use by 2 roommates (oh and the laundry is crammed in there to boot!).

Project Name: Red Hot Condos – Safou

Size: 670 sq ft

Project Address: 120 Dalimore Circle Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://camrost.netfirms.com/camrost.com/redhotcondos/downloads/safou.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 10

Comment: Living room is a bad shape to fit furniture well thanks to the jog. The dining room is kind of ridiculous since the breakfast table is right next to it! As well, the terrace is not easy to use since if you have a breakfast table, you will likely have trouble moving around it to get out onto the balcony. The kitchen is cut off from the main living space for some reason? The one bedroom is way too tight, the master is not big enough to fit a group of furniture as well as the bed and thus has wasted space, and both bedrooms have closets that are way too small. There is no study at all. And lastly, the organization creates a lot of circulation/hallway space making the walk from the entry (which is actually well-designed) a long one to the living room.

Project Name: Altitude – Altitude

Size: 1027 sq ft

Project Address: 43.773715,-79.249654

Project URL: http://www.conservatorygroup.com/altitude_altitudeplan.html

Slow Home Test Score: 10

Molly K – the ceiling height in this unit is 10 feet. This provides some design opportunity for some of the walls to not go full height to the ceiling. Good Luck!

Comment: Architects: James KM Cheng architects and Young and Wright Architects

Here is a project downtown that is a combination hotel and residence. We have at least one more of these under development with four seasons. Here they went more wide then long on many units. Two beds are not split in plans but together.

This is a one bedroom to start with. To get to the plan you need to go to residences and 02.

I really like this plan. Here we see those angled window walls. See how they are dealing with it? Still placing the furniture as normal and not angled as well. In the living space that is helped with a furniture grouped around fireplace- yes a fireplace… what a feature! This space also handles a dining table and stools from the breakfast bar.

Starting at the entry we enter a compact but not too tight space with its own closet and pocket door to a shared bath with the master. The bath vanity is spacious and the shower and bath are divided by another pocket door.

The master bedroom has the dressing at the top and around a corner, as well as the bath second entry so really you cannot see these things from the bed.

The kitchen is a U shape with high end appliances. Too many appliances with a built in wall oven and microwave. The Washer Dryer is in a closet with no basket landing space :( This plan has plenty of light but no access to the outdoors via a balcony.

Project Name: Shangri-La

Size: 805- residence 02

Project Address: 301 University Toronto ON

Project URL: http://www.livingshangri-latoronto.com/

Slow Home Test Score: 15

Comment:

Project Name: Onyx – Tower 10

Size: 589 sqft

Project Address: 225 Webb Dr Mississauga, ON

Project URL: http://www.liveonyx.com/fp_tower/tower10.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 15

Comment:

Project Name: Chicago – The Forest Glen

Size: 709 sq ft

Project Address: 43.588851,-79.649362

Project URL: http://www.chicagocondos.ca/assets/pages/models/pdf/the_forestglen.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 12

Comment: LEED Certification pending. It’s the orientation and circulation are the biggest/only issues with this one. Walking around the kitchen and through the living room to get to your bed isn’t very nice. Otherwise, it’s a pretty nice unit, I think.

Project Name: M5V Condos – Suite M22A

Size: 696 sq.ft.

Project Address: 375 King St W Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.m5vlife.com/phase3/imageData/m22a.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 15

Comment: Hi- Moving to another unit at Shangri-La. Here is one of the wide 2 bed units I was eluding to earlier.

This is large at 1360 feet but this has so much to offer. The angles of the walls are not extreme and I think add to the feeling of spaciousness subtly. 2.5 baths- one has a shower and bathtub, a real laundry room with side by side units and space on the floor, comfortable sized kitchen with island seating for 4, master bedroom that is larger than 12 by 10 but not supersized. In the living space you can place a larger coffee table and the fireplace and balcony are here.

We have a wall oven and microwave in the kitchen but then this has enough space to handle them. You can see right into the master bath from the bed. Though with a little more work on the floorplan that could be alleviated. In the end I said NO to environment and bedrooms.

Project Name: Shangri-La

Size: 1306- Residence 08

Project Address: 301 University Toronto ON

Project URL: http://www.livingshangri-latoronto.com/

Slow Home Test Score: 17

Comment: Both bedrooms have a column making getting around the bed really hard to do. I don’t think that the location of the bathroom is very useful, and I don’t think it’s enough for 2 roommates to use.

Project Name: Vibe @ Liberty Village – Pad 755

Size: 755 sq ft

Project Address: 22-98 Pirandello St Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.monarchgroup.net/Community.aspx?CommunityID=431

Slow Home Test Score: 11

Comment:

Project Name: 2 Ossington – Unit 201

Size: 560 sq ft

Project Address: 2 Ossington Ave Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.2ossington.com/pdf/2ossington_unit201.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 11

Comment: This one has an 88 walkscore, and LEED Certification (pending since it’s not yet built of course). The wacky shape of the living space leads to a lot of waste, and you’d have to bbq standing on the door threshold on that balcony!

Project Name: West Side Lofts: The Curve – Loft 13

Size: 570 sq ft

Project Address: 48 Abell St

Project URL: http://www.westsidelofts.ca/570sqft-L13.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 12

Comment: Check out the column in bedroom #2. I wondered as well how your roommate is supposed to have a shower in the powder room – it’s not like they can just waltz through the master while you’re sleeping there. The kitchen is a half-galley, which besides being hard to use (especially while trying to talk to your roommate who’s sitting in the living room), has little counter space to work at and opens dumbly onto the dining table. Or maybe that’s a good thing if you like to open the fridge door to grab the ketchup without getting up from your seat at the table. And the worst part of all about this is that it was designed by architects. Surely you’d expect better, which is really too bad, I think. Or maybe the architects were there to dress up the lobby and facade, but not to touch the suites? I dunno…

Project Name: Fly Condos: The Warhol

Size: 824 sq ft

Project Address: 332-378 Front St W Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.flycondos.com/flash/assets/pdfs/floorplans/warhol.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 10

Comment: Oh, and while I was at it, Eunice, you’ve been One-upped (or is it One-downed). Although we’re looking for Slow Homes, I couldn’t resist the temptation to post this one in all its 6/20 glory. Seriously bad. It’s saved by the location of the building, underground parking, and having a usable entry and standard bathroom (although it’s location is questionable – so far from the bedroom).

Project Name: Fly Condos: The Clancy

Size: 622 sq ft

Project Address: 332-378 Front St W Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.flycondos.com/flash/assets/pdfs/floorplans/clancy.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 6

Comment: The only thing missing for me here was a suggestion that environmentally considerate features were used in the building.

Project Name: Seventy5 – Layout 16

Size: 714 sq ft

Project Address: 75 Portland St Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.seventy5portland.com/16.swf

Slow Home Test Score: 18

Comment:
Architects Alliance

Here we have one bedroom in 1100 sq feet! They said NO to the ever popular “AND DEN” we see with many developments.

This is the other hotel and residence development going on in town. Located in the TIFF (toronto film festival) celebrity hangout of Yorkville. It has a great walkable location, access to two subway lines, a grocery across the street, and designer stores. The builder did not make a commitment to green but maybe getting more green out of your pocket ;)

There are two towers in this development – east and west. If I had a choice I would pick EAST views on the WEST building and SOUTH on the East building. It looks to a courtyard at the back and then the low but not unpleasing to the eye library and firehousenearby. This is the smallest unit I think and it suffers being North and east on the east tower – looking right at other condos. I wonder how much light this unit would get.

What is there to like? Balcony access from living and bedroom spaces. The baths are not too big, bedroom spacious, corner living/ kitchen /dining space with wrap around windows. Halls are very minimal.

What they could have done better? The Laundry has no place for a basket. The kitchen is horrible for this plan. Single wall galley when they could have put in another more comfortable and functional shape.

http://www.yorkvilleresidences.com/

Project Name: Four Seasons Private Residences

Size: 1100

Project Address: 50 Scollard St. Toronto ON

Project URL: http://www.yhttp://www.yorkvilleresidences.com/pdf/fourseasons_east_residence_a.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 13

Comment: A condo conversion of a 1950′s era apartment building. The area is mainly expensive single family residential and is a desirable area by many families. This is not very walkable.

This building is not green focused but they are reusing an existing building. The one bed unit I choose faces south and west.

Not good- Tight entry, small vanity in bath, strange table or is that an square island in the kitchen? Why does the door to the laundry open into the dining space? The dining space is a walkway to the bedroom too.

What I do like is the L shape of the kitchen , the bedroom closet and floorspace, the W/D I can put a basket down.

Project Name: Courtyards of Forest Hill

Size: 890- alexandra

Project Address: 2603 Bathurst Toronto ON

Project URL: http://www.courtyardsofforesthill.com/thealexandra.html

Slow Home Test Score: 9

Comment: Very odd layout, it is so long and narrow with all these windows. I have been playing with reorganizing this space since I have seen it.

I do like the laundry area and the balcony.

Circulation nightmare with the entry at the end. Too many baths. The Den is way too small and has laundry closet there. The kitchen counter has this angle. Living room is cramped and entry not really defined. The bedroom should have a larger window – did they run out of money to put windows on that one wall. You also look right into the bathroom.

Project Name: 76 Shuter

Size: 748

Project Address: 76 Shuter Toronto ON

Project URL: http://www.76shuter.com/pdf/9_youngestreet.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 9

[img]shweek52demo.jpg[/img]

Hi all,

My fourteen year old is a hockey goalie, I’ve heard the comment on his style as “playing big”, he is a small kid covering a big net.

On that note I’ve tried to “play big” in a small footprint.

Custom, dual pieces of furniture are key to making a small apartment or loft work.

A console table behind the couch can be a study area and then pushed up to the counter to provide a larger dining space when required.

The laundry has a stacking washer, dryer with upper and lower cabinets beside it. I see a roll out ironing board in a drawer and a small countertop here.

The living room and bedroom share a millwork storage piece.

Frances
I actually played around with a similar idea with the dining room table “combination”. But never quite liked what kept coming to mind. It’s great to see such creative use of furniture layout, especially when space is at a premium.

Comment: Not doin’ so well there Discovery 1!

Project Name: Discovery @ Concord Park Place: Building A, Suite 11

Size: 1010 sq ft

Project Address: 1-57 Provost Dr Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.concordadex.com/parkplace/discovery/

Slow Home Test Score: 8

[img]tounder750.jpg[/img]

I took a little liberty in repositioning the front door. :-)
Would someone tradeoff a standalone dining table if the living space was the beneficiary? The “study” space has been replaced with a built in desk incorporated alongside the entry closet. Both being behind sliding doors. With wireless tech. and laptops, the notion of a study maybe comes into question. Translucent glazing walls in the bedroom and behind the vanity permit light to filter into those spaces.

Comment: Bedrooms don’t get the light they want. Awkward access to bedrooms, a jammed entry / hallway, one big empty room for the rest of it. LEED Certification pending. The dining table gets to just float smack in the middle of a big open space. Even if the “optional third bedroom” was used as a study, it’s too close to the living area to get the quiet it needs.

Project Name: Six50 King West – Unit 501

Size: 1082 sq ft

Project Address: 650 King St W, Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.six50king.com/P_15.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 11

Molly

Funny you should mention, but I was also playing with a “T” running off the island. I never thought to extent it to seating for six, a luxury in a small unit.

Comment: Here the bedrooms get hot west light, while the living space faces north and east. Why wouldn’t the bedrooms be over on the side that gets east light instead? I thought that the dining room was just in the way, undermined by and blocking the way you’d get to the living room. I just imagine a party and how the first thing you bumped into after arriving is the table with all of those little weiners on it. Nice if you’re guests just came from their soccer match (Toronto FC anyone?)

Project Name: Five Hundred Wellington West, Residence 2

Size: 2475 sqft

Project Address: 500 Wellington St W Toronto

Project URL: http://www.500wellingtonwest.com/pdf/r2_202.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 12

Comment: Also a Core Architects + Freed Developers Project (same as my last post).

Project Name: Fashion House: King Building – Unit 10

Size: 725 sqft

Project Address: 560 King St W Toronto

Project URL: http://www.fashionhousecondos.com/floorplans/k710.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 15

Comment:

Project Name: City Place: Harbour View Estates, Suite 10

Size: 683 sq ft

Project Address: 23 Spadina Ave Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.cityplace.ca/hve/index.asp

Slow Home Test Score: 14

Comment: Seeing as how there’s a lot of posts still going on from monday’s holiday, I though I’d submit one I found, and maybe later tonight I’ll try out the design project!

Project Name: The Modern on Richmond, Unit C1-1C

Size: 725 sq. ft

Project Address: 49 Spadina Ave YYZ

Project URL: http://themoderncondos.com/pdf/C1_1C.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 12

Comment:

Project Name: Quay West @ Tip Top

Size: 961 sq ft

Project Address: 68 Marine Parade Dr

Project URL: http://www.monarchgroup.net/Community.aspx?CommunityID=430

Slow Home Test Score: 8

Comment:

Project Name: California Condos – La Jolla

Size: 975 sq. ft

Project Address: 515 The Queensway Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.camrost.com/californiacondos/downloads/lajolla.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 16

Comment: Hello all! Just thought I’d post one. I’ve been following the project for the last week, and I didn’t have time to post anything, but I found some time today to find one to help the cause!

-Sandi

Project Name: Ventus @ Metrogate, suite 1A

Size: 557 square feet

Project Address: 43.77851, -79.281326

Project URL: http://tridel.com/ventus/p1/1a_suite.php

Slow Home Test Score: 17

HI folks- I have ignored the rest of suggested loft revision plans today (I want a free mind but it is not working out so well , you will see LOL).

I will post mine soon and then take a peek.

Molly K
Thanks for the feedback. I like posting before watching John’s version or perusing the contributors. It was a neat surprise to see that both you and Frances’ had run with the idea of incorporating the table into the island as well and to hear John’s take on the study. A bit spooky even. :-) Agree with you take on the built in desk. A bit strange as a desk but maybe a good spot for the printer et al. I do like how in your plan, one seems to arrive at the “heart of the space” from the front door sooner. I also like how you took full advantage of the units width/glazing by not placing cabinets along the sidewall.

Frances,
Looks like you got a “shut out” there. The spaces look very good along with a separate laundry room. Nice feature.

Jenny,
Welcome. I think you are being a little modest for that is a terrific first go. I don’t mind the study location so much, maybe if it were incorporated into a singular millwork piece that served the living/entry/bedroom. Running with John’s idea a bit. All the same, great first design project post.

[img]toloft2.jpg[/img]

Not quite comfortable with it. The kitchen is causing me issues.
I have another I am working on, maybe tomorrow I will post.

Comment:

Project Name: Park Nuvo – Suite 2J

Size: 841 sq ft

Project Address: 43.639147,-79.535218

Project URL: http://tridel.com/parcnuvo/p1/2j_suite.php

Slow Home Test Score: 17

[img]toloftfeb18.jpg[/img]

A snow day yesterday, so I used the time to work on a plan. I still not convinced, but here it is.

Comment: Walkscore: 73/100
Pretty good unit – bad study (“den”).

Project Name: Circa – Suite 2A3+DP

Size: 949 sq ft

Project Address: 43.854128,-79.340564

Project URL: http://tridel.com/circa/p2/2a3dp_suite.php

Slow Home Test Score: 15

Comment: One E facing bedroom doesn’t overshadow the hot W light entering into the master and the living room. Access to bedrooms is abrupt, not nice, and walk from bed 2 to bathroom is awkward (unless you like that sort of thing in the middle of the night).

Project Name: Renaissance – Suite 2K3+D

Size: 1565 sq. ft

Project Address: 10101 Yonge St, Richmond, ON

Project URL: http://tridel.com/renaissance/rc/2k3d_suite.php

Slow Home Test Score: 13

Comment: That one bedroom is really unforgivable, since it pushes this unit into the next price bracket – you get 2 good, usable bedrooms, only you pay the price for three. Instead, that bad bedroom could be a decent study…

Project Name: Reve King West – Suite 3E+T

Size: 1045 sq ft

Project Address: 538-598 Front St W Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.tridel.com/reve/dream/3et_suite.php

Slow Home Test Score: 11

Comment: No, this unit was not designed by the renowned Frank O. Gehry – I can’t imagine a unit of his would get an 8…
94/100 walkscore though.

Project Name: The King East – The Gehry

Size: 787 sq ft

Project Address: 330 King St E Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://thekingeast.com/pdf/thegehry.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 8

Comment:

Project Name: Work Lofts – suite 902

Size: 936 sq ft

Project Address: 361-383 Carlaw Ave Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.worklofts.ca/pdf/902.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 8

Comment: walking score – 82/100

Project Name: Parc Lofts – Stadtpark

Size: 1011 sq ft

Project Address: 23-27 Stafford St Toronto, ON

Project URL: http://www.parclofts.ca/pdf/Parc%201011%20stadtpark.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 13

Comment: walking score: 85/100

Project Name: The Address – The Bourbon Street

Size: 662 sq ft

Project Address: 1638 Bloor St W

Project URL: http://www.theaddressathighpark.com/pdf/floorplans/THE_BOURBON_STREET.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 16

Comment: walkscore: 97/100

Project Name: 399 Lofts – Unit 08

Size: 862 sq ft

Project Address: 399 Adelaide St W

Project URL: http://lofts399.ca/floorplans/fl2_08.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 13

Comment: by Freed developers

Project Name: 550 Wellington – No. 63

Size: 785 sq ft

Project Address: 550 Wellington St W

Project URL: http://www.550wellington.com/pdf/fp63.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 12

Comment: orangeopolis – in regards to your comment earlier, I think this one fits your bill as a ‘sculpturalized’ building! The curvy shape of building makes for this specimen of wasted space. I was generous to the “absolute world green features” because although the list of such features is short, there is really no reason not to put in water and electricity saving features to the building, and there are plenty of buildings that don’t even have this much. The worst part of this plan is bedroom 2.

Project Name: Absolute Condos

Size: 790 sq ft

Project Address: 80 Absolute Ave Mississauga, ON

Project URL: http://www.absolutecondos.com/fp_5_g.pdf

Slow Home Test Score: 11

Comment: 2/2

Project Name: Universal Condos – Universal

Size: 1075 sqft

Project Address: 335 Rathburne Rd W Mississauga, ON

Project URL: http://www.conservatorygroup.com/universal_universal.html

Slow Home Test Score: 13