Right Caption "Proud Owner: Realtor Monte Compton was among the first to buy a loft at The Glebe, a conversion of Riverdale Presbyterian Church.
Soul Space: Rona Moreau relaxes in her condo at Hepbourne Hall, converted from church meeting rooms and a manse. The church still operates next door.
Lofts and condos in old churches offer rare features, community and a certain cachet
By Jennifer Morrison
The Toronto Star October 26, 2002
"High ceilings, oversized windows, exposed brick walls and vaulted arches - these are just a few of the striking visual features echoing through a handful of former churches that have been converted into unique residential lofts and condominiums.
"'Churches have this mystique about them. They can't be duplicated and they can't be built again,' explains Edwin Brdlik, loft specialist and broker-owner of Toronto Lofts Realty. 'I think that makes them all the more desirable. For a city of our size it's surprising there aren't too many of them'"
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..."Hepbourne Hall at Bloor St. and Dovercourt Rd., developer Bob Mitchell turned church meeting rooms and a manse into 20 one-of-a-kind units. The adjacent structure still operates as a place of worship with an active congregation."
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"The storied background of these buildings, so much a part of their communities, adds to the allure of these condos ...
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"Because there are so few of these conversions around, it didn't take long for the Glebe's 32 multi-level units in the former Riverdale Presbyterian Church south of Danforth Ave. to be snapped up."
"Mitchell said all units were sold within a month of going up for sale in the spring of 2000 without any advertising. In fact, almost half were sold before the building was officially on the market."
"This was no fluke. Mitchell and his firm Mitchell & Associates are known for a number of successful conversions, including Toronto's first legal loft - a 10-unit project in an obsolete felt factory at 41 Shanly St. in the Bloor-Dovercourt area in the early 1980's."
"Because of Mitchell's impressive resume, several of The Glebe's units went to former clients or their friends. Designer, real estate agents and developers familiar with his work were also among the first to jump on board."
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"'It's important to me to give each of these units outdoor space, so it gives them all a sense of having a home,' Mitchell says."
The idea of being able to walk out of his loft and on to the street was an important selling feature for Monte Compton, who purchased a main-floor 1,325-square foot unit."
" A realtor with Remax Unique, Compton specializes in condominium and loft sales. He's seen hundreds of units across the city and chose The Glebe."
"'It's stunning. I think the building is stunning. It's a far more exciting space than most of the developments I see,' he says. 'For me this is the perfect loft, the perfect location and the perfect design. It's just the best.'"
"Compton plans to use his unit, which covers four levels, including a 240-square-foot basement, as a work and living space. He'll share the unit with his dog, Roscoe.'"
Aside from the convenience of having underground parking, Compton likes having his own little backyard with a private exit."
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"Although Mitchell has not been able to retain many of the original fixtures in the 1908 structure, such as the stained-glass windows, he's doing his best to keep the integrity of the church inside and outside where possible."
"'It's what people want. They want to have the vaulted ceilings and some parts of the church inside. That's what makes it a church,' said Brdlik, who also purchased one of The Glebe's units."
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"'I've never lived in a church before, so there's this whole romantic notion of being in one. Also, because there are very few of them in the city, it makes for a good investment,' he says."
"A great selling feature for Brdlik was The Glebe's location in the midst of a residential neighbourhood in prime Riverdale."
"While most lofts are located in secondary, more industrial-type neighbourhoods, Brdlik says churches defy this pattern."
"'Typically churches are within communities. You find them in much more of a built-up, residential setting, which a bit of an appeal'".
"The Riverdale church first caught Mitchell's eye in the mid-1990's. He tried to purchase it then, but the congregation wasn't too keen on selling it to be developed."
"Although a church is deconsecrated once the congregation leaves, meaning it is no longer considered a holy place, trying to win a church community's approval can still be difficult."
"Five years ago Mitchell's first attempt to purchase the building, and with several successful loft conversions behind him, the congregation was more open to the idea and Mitchell was able to acquire the church."
"'It's always difficult dealing with churches. They're usually very democratic and you're dealing with a congregation that has been there for years,' he explains."
"Riverdale Presbyterian was erected in 1908 and expanded in 1920 to accommodate a growing congregation. Its conversion to lofts doesn't mean its congregation is scattered. As the membership dwindled over the years, members eventually opted to use the original structure, located on the north part of the property. This will continue to be used as a church, connected to the development via a firewall once construction is complete."
"'One of the church elders was baptized in this church in 1922. He knows all the history, so for him to see the building maintained is a real plus,' Mitchell says.
"It's also a real plus for Mitchell, who has a background in town planning."
"'It deserves every effort you can to maintain it. It's part of the streetscape and the community,' he says. 'Conversions are more difficult for builders to do than starting from scratch, but they're worth it.'"
Hallowed Homes (above right)
At Hepbourne Hall, developer Bob Mitchell turned a former church meeting rooms and a manse into 20 condo units. The main building still operates as a church.
"Developer Bob Mitchell recalls the early 1980s, when he was trying to sell units at 41 Shanly St. - Toronto's first legal loft conversion, where he transformed an obsolete felt factory into 10 units."
"'If you go back to Shanly St., we were selling them for $50,000 (1981-82). Now they're going for $250,000 plus,' Mitchell says, using this as an example to illustrate how prices have increased."
"'Over the long term and the short term, lofts have been extremely good investments'".