Carhart Lofts, 535 Queen St E: 11 Lofts in a Former Jean Factory

Carhart Lofts is one of the smallest loft buildings on Queen Street East: 11 suites in a two-storey former jean factory, a short walk west of the Don River bridge. It is the kind of building that almost never appears on a search, because a suite comes up so rarely, and when one does there is very little public information to go on. This page sets out what I could confirm and what you will need to check. I’m Jatin Dua, RE/MAX Quantum Realty.

A small factory on Queen East

The building was a jean factory before it became lofts. The conversion was registered as a condominium in 1999, which places it in the first wave of Toronto loft conversions, when east-downtown factories along Queen, King and the streets between were being turned into homes.

At two storeys and 11 suites, it is far smaller than the better-known conversions nearby, such as the Knitting Mill Lofts further west on Queen. That means a quieter building and a board you will know, and it also means a small group of owners shares every repair bill.

On the name: I could not confirm a connection between the building and the Carhartt workwear company, and I would not assume one. Treat the factory’s history as something to ask the seller and the corporation about, not as a selling point.

What I know about the suites

Public detail on individual suites is thin. Condos.ca does not publish a size range for the building, and few suites have been featured in the press. With 11 suites in a converted factory, expect layouts to vary, from one-level plans to suites that use the height of the old floors.

In a building like this, the questions that matter are the obvious ones: ceiling height, window size and exposure, whether the suite faces Queen Street or the rear, and how much of the original structure, such as brick, beams and wood floors, is still exposed. Ask for a floor plan with measurements, since older conversions are often measured inconsistently.

Because the building has only two storeys, upper suites may be the ones with the most light and height, and lower suites the ones closest to street noise. Visit the specific suite during the day and in the evening.

If you are comparing it with a newer soft loft nearby, remember what you are trading. A conversion like this gives you real factory character and usually more volume for the money; a newer building gives you better insulation, newer windows and a warranty history. Decide which matters more to you before you start viewing.

Heat and hydro included, parking in a garage

The fee covers common elements, heat, hydro, air conditioning, building insurance and water. Including hydro and cooling is unusual and helps a lot in a loft, where tall ceilings and big windows push up energy costs. Compare all-in monthly costs with other buildings, not the fee alone.

The building lists a parking garage, which is valuable on this stretch of Queen, where street parking is tight. Parking is not listed among the fee inclusions, so ask whether the suite has a space, whether it is owned or exclusive use, and whether there is any separate charge.

Amenities are minimal: a security system and the garage. In an 11-suite building, that is normal, and it keeps the shared costs focused on the building and its utilities. There is no concierge, so ask how parcels and deliveries are handled and how secure the entrance is.

Queen and River, and what is changing

This is the eastern end of downtown, where Queen Street runs toward the Don River and Leslieville and Riverside sit just across the bridge. Corktown’s restaurants, the Distillery District, Riverdale Park and the Don Valley trails are within walking or cycling distance. The panel shows the transit and Walk Score details.

The area around Queen and the Don has been changing quickly. New mid-rise and tower development on the surrounding blocks and transit construction in the east downtown are reshaping the streetscape. That tends to support values, and it can also mean construction noise and blocked views for a few years, so ask what is planned on the neighbouring sites.

Queen East near the Don is still a mixed area, with older storefronts, workshops and new buildings side by side. Walk the block at different times of day before you buy, as you would with any downtown street.

A thin record to price against

Condos.ca shows a building average of about $339 per square foot. I would not rely on that figure. It is far below any current loft value in the east downtown, which suggests it reflects very old or very few recorded sales rather than today’s market.

In practice, I price a suite here against recent sales of comparable small hard lofts on Queen East, in Corktown and in Leslieville, adjusted for size, parking and condition. With 11 suites, a year can pass with no sales, so the building’s own history is not enough.

There are no suites listed right now. If this building interests you, set up an alert and be ready to act. For recent sold and leased figures, see the data panel or my building sold report, and talk to me before you rely on any single average.

Building specifications

Amenities at Carhart Lofts

There are no shared facilities beyond the garage and security system. Daily life here is about the suite, Queen Street and the river valley, not an amenity floor.

Jatin’s honest take on Carhart Lofts

Carhart Lofts — frequently asked questions

Looking at Church–Wellesley, Corktown, Moss Park and Cabbagetown more broadly? Start with my Toronto community guide — the neighbourhoods, what each pocket is like, and how they compare.