The Knitting Mill Lofts are housed in a vintage factory on Queen Street, at Sackville. These are the real deal, authentic hard lofts on the eastern edge of downtown Toronto. Awesome open-concept spaces with exposed brick walls, wood beams, hardwood floors and 11-foot ceilings.

The Queen Street “front” of the Knitting Mill Lofts

There are only 28 units in the Knitting Mill Lofts, making most of them rather large. Carved from the 35,000-square-foot Century Knitting Mills, the lofts range in size from around 800 square feet up to 1,500 or more. Most would be in the 1,200+ sqare foot range. Maintenance fees are low, but utilities are extra. Parking is in the surface lot on the east side of the building, with only a limited number of spots.

Oh yes, the Knitting Mill Lofts are real authentic lofts!

There is literally NOTHING out there about the place. You can see it on the 1924 Goad’s map, but it is not there on the 1913 map. So we know it was built sometime between 1913 and 1924. Around 1989 it was leased out to multiple tenants, Century Knitting obviously gone. Pal Dahass and his loft conversion company HAASTOWN did the conversion around 1997-1998. HAASTOWN is also well-known for its authentic conversion of the Boiler Factory Lofts at 189 Queen Street East.

Exposed brick, wood beams and big windows at the Knitting Mill Lofts

I have read many descriptions saying that the old building at 426 Queen was only a warehouse, but it was truly a knitting mill. Unfortunately, history does not record anything about the Century Knitting Mill building. To my eyes it appears to be 2 buildings, but the current shape matches up with the profile on the 1924 map. I think it is because there used to be a gap in the middle of the east side that was built up and filled in at some point… which explains the way the east side looks like different pieces combined.

The main entrance of the Knitting Mill Lofts on Sackville Street

The Knitting Mill Lofts are part of the tiny neighbourhood of Trefann Court, part of the larger Corktown. East Toronto used to be the industrial heart of the city, so it is not surprising that some of the old buildings fall through the cracks. As much as I want it to be true, not every building has a long and interesting story.

The Knitting Mill Lofts are what you see in your head when you think of lofts

You can see the 4 storeys above ground and a basement half below grade there today, with 5 levels of lofts. The front may be on Queen, but the main entrance is on Sackville Street. The original mill may had used 104 Sackville as their address. It would make some sense, as the limited parking (all surface) is accessed via Sackville Street. Not that there would have been many cars back when Century Knitting Mills first started up!

Knitting Mill Lofts are gorgeous and rather affordable for what you get

Due to their location in a somewhat sketchy part of town, the prices are quite reasonable and affordable for what they are. The units are all pretty large and really quite gorgeous Tons of brick and wood, with some units having steel beams or even concrete floors. Lots of red brick, though I have seen some yellow brick in some units. And there is a cool vintage freight elevator by the Sackville Street entrance that you can actually use!

The unique Queen Street entrance to the Knitting Mill Lofts

Some of the lofts are a little raw, others are updated and renovated. Either way, the Knitting Mill Lofts are a great investment as Toronto’s east end is really starting to come into its own. Values out this way are only ever going up due to West Don Lands, Regent Park re-development and more. East Bayside, North Keating… Google it, there is SO much happening and due to happen.

One of the more raw spaces at the Knitting Mill Lofts

Even now it is a terrific location in Corktown: only blocks away from the vibrant Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market area, fabulous trendy design & decor shops or cafes along Queen East, easy access to the Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner & Lake Shore – and within walking distance to the Downtown city core or a quick taxi or bus ride depending on the speed of your lifestyle.

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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 these articles, he just reproduces them here for people who
are interested in Toronto real estate. He does not work for any builders.
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