The following are some of the better "loft-style" buildings that have been built from scratch:

TWENTY - 20 Niagara St. - southeast of King and Bathurst - 22 units built in 1997

Let's start with the best - 20 Niagara is a truly one-of-a-kind building, a modern statement in concrete, steel and glass. Architect Peter Clewes also designed the Indigo at 50 Lombard St., and his new projects Ideal and District are still available to purchase. TWENTY is located on a park, and therefore views of the city skyline are virtually unobstructed. Ceilings are only 10 feet high, but the windows are almost floor to ceiling, and all units run right through the building with exposures in two, and in some cases, three directions. click here for pictures, a virtual reality tour and a listing

The Derby - 393 King St. E. at Parliament- 26 units built in 1989

These are two storey units with mezzanine bedrooms open to the living area below, which has 15 foot ceilings and big arched windows.

West 833 - 833 King St. W.- west of Bathurst - 52 units built in 1997/98

A small portion of this building is a converted 1930's perfume factory, but you would never know it, as units on that side feel the same as the newly built side : little character other than exposed concrete ceilings, which on most floors are only 9 or 10 feet high with the penthouses having 18 feet with mezzanine bedrooms. Still, the building does overlook parks and it is a nice, crisp, modern alternative to a condo.

La Piazza - 39 Roehampton at Yonge and Eglinton - approx. 27 units built in 1990

This is one of the only uptown loft buildings in Toronto. It features two storey units with mezzanine bedrooms and 16 foot ceilings in the living areas. Top floor units have access to private rooftop terraces and other units have Juliette balconies or ground floor patios.

Camden Lofts - 29 Camden St. - Richmond and Spadina - 48 units built in 1999

The red brick exterior and large warehouse-style windows could almost fool you into thinking that this is a conversion. Ceilings are only 10 feet, but units are wide with lots of window space as opposed to the "bowling alleys with a window at one end" that you find in so many buildings. Here you'll find the most exposed concrete (a big new loft trend) in these floors, ceilings and even some walls. There should still be some smaller units available.

Kensington Lofts - 160 Baldwin St. and Nassau St. - Kensington Market, Spadina & College - approx. 140 units built in 1999

As with 833 King W., this is a combination of a conversion (an old George Brown College building) and new construction, and again there is very little character except for the old lobby and hallways. Ceiling heights range from 10 to over 16 feet with many units having two storey layouts with mezzanines, and good balconies or terraces.