The Peanut Factory Lofts are said to be a converted peanut warehouse and processing plant located in the heart of Cabbagetown. It was converted to lofts in 1988 by Canadian Opportunity Investments Limited and now contains 9 massive townhouse-style lofts ranging in size from 1,700 to 2,600 square feet. One of the earlier loft conversions, The Peanut Factory has is one of the only lofts in Cabbagetown (joining the Sword Lofts, Evening Telegram Lofts, Nursing Lofts, Bleecker Street Lofts and the Millington Lofts).

The Peanut Factory Lofts at 306 Sackville Street in Cabbagetown

These multi-level lofts exude charm and grace as living spaces. All of the original maple floors were saved and reconditioned, plus each suite has a real fireplace. Ceilings range up to 20+ feet with large warehouse windows. Most of the units at Peanut Factory Lofts have two bedrooms, each unit containing three or four floors with a main floor garage. Smaller units have 1 bedroom, the larger ones have 3.

Reclaimed hardwood floors inside the Peanut Factory Lofts on Sackville Street

With only 9 units this loft conversion rarely has any units that come on the market so when they do they go very quickly. I have only ever seen one in person, it was big but rather dated if I recall. The last sale was back in 2010, so that was probably the unit I saw, it was quite some time ago.

There are only 9 units in the boutique Peanut Factory Lofts in Cabbagetown

I have no idea when it was built. If it was actually connected to peanuts, it might have something to do with Planters. They came to Toronto in 1925, so it may even date that far back. It does not show up on the 1924 Goad’s map, so it is younger than that, but I can see it on the 1947 city aerial photos. Planters’ famous occupation of the old Ford building at Dupont and Christie did not begin until 1948, to they had to be somewhere for 23 years. I am pretty sure they still have a presence out near Downsview even today.

Floating metal stairs lead up to the rooftop deck in this Peanut Factory Loft

It is the house looking part at the north end that really confuses me. Did the developer just buy the factory and the house next door and convert everything? The “house” is what has the 306 Sackville address, the “factory” would likely have been at 300 Sackville (maybe 302 or 304). But there is absolutely nothing out there about any of those addresses, or of any peanut factory in Cabbagetown. I would love to know where the name came from… There is no evidence whatsoever of what it was before 1988. No idea when it was built. Nothing, no reason to suggest peanuts were ever even involved.

One of the rooftop decks at the Peanut Factory Lofts at 306 Sackville Street

Anyway, it had its moment in the sun last year when it came to light as the previous home of a disgraced CBC radio host. If it interests you at all, let me know. They do come up, every 3-6 years or so.

*** UPDATE *** Thanks to an excellent reader, we now know that the building was a Beaver Nut Company warehouse. Apparently just a storage building for tons of peanuts. It was a sad day in squirrel land when it closed down…

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Contact Laurin Jeffrey for more information – 416-388-1960

Laurin Jeffrey is a Toronto real estate agent with Century 21 Regal Realty.
He did not write every article, some are reproduced here for people who
are interested in Toronto real estate. He does not work for any builders.
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