Earlier this year, we made a decision to move back to Toronto and I have since been checking out some properties in Toronto except there were a few challenges:
1. Although we're returning to Toronto - this does not mean downtown Toronto! I want to return to my old neighbourhood which is Bloor/Royal York in the Kingsway area.
2. After having lived in a house with over 8000 sq feet, I know we'll have to do some serious downsizing. I am prepared for that - actually looking forward to it but I really can't see myself living in a smaller "house". I am happy to downsize so long as I can still have a comfortable space where I can live, cook and entertain!
3. The best part about my "home" has always been the ability to have friends and family over and that means I need a large kitchen that is open plan with the living space.
4. With Imaan leaving soon for university, Steve and i will be empty nesters in a few years! So a large mater bedroom and a second bedroom (which would double up as Imaan's bedroom and the ocassional guest room) together with a den/office would really be all teh living space we actually need. It would be a bonus to have each bedroom with an ensuite and a walk in closet and a separate powder room for guests and visitors.
Armed with this list of requirements, I set about looking for a place that would be different - not just another house and not a boring condo apartment either.
As luck would have it, I found the perfect place!
The HIVE LOFTS - A boutique loft on the Queensway - between Royal York and Islington and not far from my old hood! The only thing is - it's not yet built!!
I used this to my advantage first of all by securing pre-construction pricing but most importantly by purchasing 2 adjoining units in the building and then working with the architects to develop a custom built floorplan for the unified larger unit (about 1350 sq ft + another 300 sq ft of wraparound balcony!) giving me all that I wanted!!
Ensuite Master Bedroom - Large Walk in Closet - Built-in linen closet and Laundry (washer/dryer) in the master suite
Imaan's Bedroom - with its own walk-in closet and ensuite facilities
A Den - which could work as the ocassional guest room if needed
A separate powder room
A huge kitchen with an island and open plan with formal dining and living space giving me lots of open space for cooking and entertaining!
The building is scheduled to be ready by 2013, It seems like such a long way off but hey, now we all have something to look forward to :)
Looks simply awesome! Can't wait to have you back in Toronto;)
Posted by: Nasrin | November 17, 2011 at 07:16 PM