Bloor West Lofts Phase II, Dekoven Mews: 40 Low-Rise Homes off Bloor

Bloor West Lofts Phase II is one of those complexes people walk past on Bloor without realizing there is a whole mews of homes behind the street wall. It is 40 low-rise condo homes from 2002 by Garden Park Homes, between Lansdowne and the rail corridor, with parking in the fee and a rooftop deck. Small, older and rarely listed, it rewards buyers who do their homework. I’m Jatin Dua, RE/MAX Quantum Realty.

A mews behind the Bloor Street frontage

The layout is the interesting part. Part of the complex fronts Bloor Street West, and part sits on Dekoven Mews, a private lane behind it. That arrangement gives the mews homes a quieter setting than you would expect on a main street, while the Bloor-facing homes put you right on the retail strip.

Condos.ca records the complex as low-rise, with homes from about 770 to 1,224 sq ft. I could not confirm the original floor plans or ceiling heights from a reliable source, and the word “lofts” in the name does not by itself tell you whether a home has high ceilings or a mezzanine. Treat each home on its own and check the floor plan and measurements in the listing.

Garden Park Homes built this phase in 2002, when infill along this stretch of Bloor was still unusual. It was an early sign that the Bloor and Lansdowne area would move from industrial and commercial uses toward housing, a trend that has only picked up since.

A 2002 build also tells you what to expect inside. Windows, sliding doors and mechanical equipment may be original or on their first replacement, and energy performance will be behind a new building. Ask the seller what has been replaced and when, and whether any upgrades needed board approval.

Two phases, and an address puzzle

There are two Bloor West Lofts corporations. Phase II is TSCC-1459, and listing sites describe a separate Phase I under the 1386 to 1400 Bloor Street West address range. The published address ranges for the two phases overlap, which is a recipe for confusion.

My advice is simple: before you write an offer, confirm the legal description and the condominium corporation number with the listing agent, and make sure the status certificate is for the right one. Two phases can share a look and a name and still have very different reserve funds, fees and repair histories.

Phase II has 40 homes, which is small. A small corporation can be very well run, with owners who know each other and a board that moves quickly, but every major repair is shared among only 40 owners. That makes the quality of the board, and its record of planning ahead, more important here than in a 400-suite tower.

Bloor near Lansdowne, and what is changing

This stretch of Bloor is a working main street: cafes, restaurants, small grocers and services, without the polish of Bloor West Village further west. It sits between Lansdowne and the point where Bloor dips under the Kitchener rail corridor, with the West Toronto Railpath close by for walking and cycling.

The corridor is changing. Neudorfer has pursued a residential building at 1439 Bloor Street West and 80 to 82 Perth Avenue, on a sloping site beside the rail underpass, with underground parking and townhomes along Perth. Check its current status if you are buying on the west end of the complex, since construction nearby would affect traffic and noise for a while.

The data panel on this page covers the nearest subway, GO and bus stops, schools and parks. Test it against your own commute rather than relying on a map.

Bloor-facing or mews: choosing the right home

The two parts of the complex live differently. A Bloor-facing home puts shops, restaurants and street life at your door, along with traffic, deliveries and evening noise. Visit on a Friday night and a weekday morning, stand in the bedroom with the windows closed, and see whether it bothers you.

A mews home trades that for a quieter lane and more privacy, usually with less sun and street presence. For families, downsizers and anyone working from home, I generally prefer the mews side, but light and outlook vary home by home, so compare actual rooms rather than the address.

In both cases, look at how garbage, recycling and deliveries are handled in a complex without a concierge, and where visitors park. Those small things shape daily life more than most buyers expect, and the board minutes will tell you if they have been a recurring issue.

What Phase II costs

Condos.ca puts the average at about $878 per square foot. For a 2002 low-rise, that is solid, and it reflects how scarce ground-oriented condo homes with parking are this close to a subway line.

There were no active listings when I checked, so I cannot give a current asking range. With 40 homes, sales are infrequent, and I price against closed sales in both Bloor West Lofts phases over two or three years, then against nearby freehold row houses as a ceiling. My building sold report gives the aggregates.

The fee covers common elements, building insurance and parking. Water is not listed as included, unlike many nearby complexes, and heat and hydro are not listed either. Ask what each home pays directly and add it to the fee before you compare with other buildings.

I would also look at the fee per square foot against the reserve fund balance and the planned contributions. In a 40-home corporation, the reserve fund study is the single best predictor of where fees go next.

Building specifications

Amenities at Bloor West Lofts Phase II

The rooftop deck is the standout for a complex this size, giving owners a shared outdoor space above the street. The rest is practical: underground parking, visitor parking, a security system, barbecues permitted and a pet-friendly listing on Condos.ca. Confirm pet and barbecue rules in the declaration.

Jatin’s honest take on Bloor West Lofts Phase II

Bloor West Lofts Phase II — frequently asked questions

Looking at the Junction, Corso Italia, Hillcrest Village and west-central Toronto more broadly? Start with my Toronto community guide — the neighbourhoods, what each pocket is like, and how they compare.