Sunday, March 21, 2010

Spotlight: Wellington Street West – A Quiet Strip In The Downtown Core

Tucked away in Toronto's Fashion District, this quiet strip of Wellington St. between Spadina and Portland is just steps from the hustle and bustle of trendy King West restaurants, lounges and bars, while continuing to maintain its 18th century historical charm.  Known by some as a part of the Wellington Place neighbourhood, this little area on Wellington St. W. is protected by the fact that it doesn't have any through traffic from the east side of Spadina, and becomes a one-way street west of Portland.  As such, this peaceful strip offers an understated calm while providing residents with all the excitement and conveniences of downtown living.

In the immediate area you'll find the Herman Miller showroom (the authority on office furniture design), Le Select (a French bistro with an outdoor patio) and Marben (a popular resto-lounge).  Hip night-spot C Lounge and Flirty Girl Fitness, a women's fitness and lifestyle facility, are other area favourites.  Aside from fantastic neighbourhood amenities, this part of Wellington St. also benefits from easy highway access and relative proximity to the nearby Waterfront and Financial District.

If you're interested in living here and luxury and character are what you're after, then consider the Worx Lofts (also known as the Monarch Building) or Wellington Lofts.  Both boutique buildings and authentic hard loft conversions, these lofts feature highly desirable original wood beams, exposed brick and high ceilings.  The Worx Lofts houses units ranging from 980 to over 2,000 sq ft, while Wellington Lofts features larger units ranging from 4,000 to over 5,000 sq ft.  If loft conversions aren't your cup of tea, two new projects are also available along this strip: 400 Wellington by the Sorbara Development Group, and 500 Wellington by Freed Developments.  400 Wellington is a 12-storey building with units ranging from 514 sq ft to 1,820 sq ft, while 500 Wellington is a boutique condo offering 17 luxurious loft suites from 2,500 to 6,000 sq ft.  The four buildings differ vastly in suite styles and sizes offered.  Prices vary by building, but you can expect to spend anywhere from $450 to upwards of $600 per sq ft.

While we love the ongoing modernization of the central King West neighbourhood, it's hard not to appreciate this unassuming little strip along Wellington, which, even through modern day development has managed stay true to its roots and continues to pay homage to the rich history of the area.