In the heart of Leslieville in Toronto, there stands an old factory built for the production of Wrigley’s chewing gum. Today, the North building of the factory is now a hard-loft conversion with few residential units and over a century of history rooted into each suite.
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Loft 505a is for sale and is perched on the top floor of the Wrigley Lofts. As you enter, the foyer leads to a living space flooded with natural light through expansive industrial windows. The kitchen, a generously sized laundry room, and a well-appointed bathroom complete the first level. Ascending to the mezzanine to take in the grandeur of the 13-foot ceilings, you’LL discover a bedroom sanctuary, offering both privacy and an open, airy ambiance. What sets this home apart from any other one-bedroom condominium for sale is truly the history behind not only the building but also the neighbourhood which takes pride of ownership to another level.
The Wrigley Buildings were Beaux Arts style masterpieces completed in 1912 and 1916, and reflect the architectural design and close replica of the original Wrigley factory in Chicago. Designed by the renowned architects Pract and Perrine, the factory’s advanced construction and design choices are still featured throughout each of the loft units today.
The mushroom columns, spanning an impressive 20 feet in every direction, high ceilings for maximum light into the manufacturing floors and to facilitate the heavy machinery, define the loft’s wide and open floor plans, quite different from any generic condominium floorplan found in the downtown core. Pract and Perrine, were also responsible for the adjacent Palmolive Building, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of the Leslieville neighourhood, creating a cohesive visual style through mushroom columns and window designs.
Wrigley Lofts were just one part of Leslieville’s industrial legacy. The immediate neighbourhood is surrounded by former factories, warehouses, and garages that were once defined as a manufacturing hub, producing bricks, paper boxes, wax paper, the T. Eaton Co. Factory, and Woods Manufacturing of outdoor clothing and camping equipment. Walking around the streets today, you get a true sense of evolution combining these old brick structures with new amenities of modern day living. It’s a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary, making it a great neighbourhood to live and enjoy as you can experience the essence of Toronto’s history.
As Toronto’s neighborhoods continue to evolve, the Wrigley Lofts serve as a powerful reminder that Leslieville isn’t all new construction, but you can catch moments of rich heritage. In a city where people live and work, owning a piece of its exceptional past gets to be embraced and enjoyed by the right buyer who can truly appreciate that this unique property offers not just a home but a piece of urban history that speaks to Toronto’s past.
To learn more about this property or to book a showing check out the full listing here.
