Tecumseth Lofts, 766 King St W: 28 Multi-Level Lofts in an Old Warehouse

Tecumseth Lofts is the kind of building you only find by walking King West slowly. It is a former warehouse at the corner of King and Tecumseth with just 28 suites, most of them on two levels, and almost no amenities to pay for. That makes it a great fit for some buyers and a poor one for others, and the difference comes down to stairs, parking and the reserve fund. I’m Jatin Dua, RE/MAX Quantum Realty.

A warehouse turned into 28 lofts

The building was a commercial warehouse before Harhay Developments converted it around 1999 and 2000. One loft guide spells the company Harthay Construction Management; condos.ca lists Harhay Developments. Either way, it was a small, local conversion rather than the work of a big tower developer.

With only 28 suites, this is one of the smallest condo corporations on King West. You will know your neighbours, board meetings are small, and decisions can be made quickly. It also means a handful of owners carry every repair bill, which I come back to below.

The look is industrial rather than heritage brick. Exposed concrete ceilings, exposed ductwork and big windows are the common thread, and some suites have gas fireplaces. Outdoor space varies a lot: some suites have terraces, some have Juliet balconies and some have none.

Two-storey layouts and very tall ceilings

This is what sets the building apart. One loft guide reports that most suites are two-storey spaces, with exposed concrete ceilings from about 10 to 20 feet. Some top-floor suites are on three levels, with ceilings reported as high as 28 feet in the tallest part.

No two layouts are quite the same. The guide calls them quirky, and I agree. That is good if you want something that does not feel like a standard condo, and less good if you want an easy resale comparison.

Condos.ca puts suite sizes at roughly 705 to 1,178 square feet; the loft guide gives figures up to about 1,300. Multi-level suites in this range feel bigger than the number suggests because of the volume, but stairs take some of the floor area.

Think honestly about the stairs. A two- or three-level loft is wonderful at 30 and harder at 70, and moving furniture up an open stair to a top level is not trivial. If you are buying to stay a long time, picture yourself living with them every day.

Renovations work differently here too. With exposed concrete ceilings, lighting, wiring and ductwork tend to run on the surface, so there is no drop ceiling to hide changes. If a previous owner has altered a layout, built in a mezzanine or moved plumbing, ask whether the board approved it and whether permits were pulled.

Parking, fees and what is not included

Condos.ca lists the fee as covering common elements, building insurance, water and parking. Heat and air conditioning are not listed, so expect to pay for your own utilities. Check the type of heating and cooling equipment in the suite you are viewing and how old it is.

Parking is in the fee, but one source notes that not every suite has a space. Confirm on the status certificate that the suite you want comes with parking. On this part of King West, a suite without parking is a noticeably different product to sell later.

The amenity list is short: an elevator, a parking garage, a security system and BBQs permitted. There is no gym, concierge or party room. The same guide describes the fees as low, which matches what you would expect from a building with so little shared space to run.

Life at King and Tecumseth

The building sits in Niagara, between the restaurants of King West to the east and Liberty Village and Ossington to the west. The Wellington and Bathurst area, Queen West and Trinity Bellwoods are all within walking distance, and the King streetcar runs past the door.

The area around it has changed sharply in 25 years. Low warehouses on this part of King have been replaced by mid-rise condos and offices, and that is still happening. A building this small is surrounded by larger neighbours now, so ask about any proposed development next door that could affect light or views.

What Tecumseth Lofts costs

Condos.ca puts the building average at about $800 per square foot. For true lofts with this much ceiling height on King West, I consider that good value. Compare it with the per-square-foot figures for newer towers nearby, and remember that parking is already in the fee here.

There was nothing for sale when I wrote this, which is normal for a 28-suite building. Resale is infrequent, so each sale carries a lot of weight in the building average, and one renovated or unrenovated suite can move it noticeably.

Price a suite against other multi-level lofts, not flats. Adjust for parking, outdoor space and the number of levels; a three-level top-floor suite and a two-level suite with no terrace are very different homes.

On the carrying side, remember that heat and air conditioning are on you. A tall, multi-level suite with big windows has a lot of air to heat and cool, so ask the seller for a year of utility bills and add them to the fee when you compare this building with one where heat is included.

For recent resale figures, see the data panel on this page, or ask me for a building sold report and an alert when a suite here is listed.

Building specifications

Amenities at Tecumseth Lofts

The amenities are the bare minimum, and that is the point: the fee goes to the building, not to a gym or a lobby. You will use King West and Liberty Village for everything else.

Jatin’s honest take on Tecumseth Lofts

Tecumseth Lofts — frequently asked questions

Looking at Queen West, Trinity-Bellwoods, Kensington and Little Italy more broadly? Start with my Toronto community guide — the neighbourhoods, what each pocket is like, and how they compare.