Most people know the pinkish glass of the building near King and Spadina, but few know that it is the King’s Tower Lofts, condos carved from a former office building. Once known as the King’s Tower Business Centre, it was originally built between 1991 and 1993 by Gordon Cheney Architect Inc. It did not last long as an office, likely another victim of the early 90s recession.

The pink glass of the King’s Tower Lofts is quite noticeable along King Street West

Not entirely sure when it was sold to the conversion developer, but it appears the conversion began around 1999. A couple of years it was completed and the condo corporation was registered in late 2001. There is no record of who actually did the conversion, the name seems to have been lost in the past couple of decades. MLS has no record of builder sales, but there were some assignments being offered in 2000 and 2001.

The rarely seen south side of King’s Tower, taken from Clarence Square, sometime in the 1990s, possibly when it was still an office building

For some reason, a lot of people thought it used to be a hotel. Personally, I think it looks a lot like an older hotel, so I can see where that came from. Even the crown logo on the exterior and lobby floor, it feels more hotel than office building. But that is simply a legacy of the King’s Tower name. Which, of course, derives from its King Street West address. The zoning as never turned to 100% residential, so 393 King Street West remains as one of the few true live-work lofts in Toronto.

With the pace of construction in Toronto, who knows how long views like this will last

The resulting units range in size from 500-square-foot bachelors up to two-bedroom lofts that are close to 2,000 square feet. They all benefit from the industrial construction, as the floors are thicker than most, which eliminates a lot of noise transfer between units. And if you peel away the drywall, you can find higher concrete ceilings, as well as exposing the ductwork and conduits to give a more lofty vibe. You might even find a concrete pillar or two.

The lobby of King’s Tower certainly recalls its office building past

There are 101 units on 12 floors. The fourth floor units have solariums and terraces perched atop the podium below. The remain floors have no outdoor space, just the large windows. And those windows mainly face east, with corner units having adding north or south views. The west wall is blank, almost as if the original builder expected something else to be erected next door. Which might finally fruition, as condo development in the city gobbles up any empty space.

Typical interior of a King’s Tower Loft at 393 King Street West

Some have no parking, most have 1 spot and a lucky few have 2 parking spaces. Amenities aren’t bad, considering, and include a gym, communal outdoor space off the third floor with a barbecue, plus a billiards room. The fees are quite low, and the prices are much below the other condos in the area. A party room is available for you to host larger gatherings. Part-time security guards are on site and visitor parking is available for your guests.

Another King’s Tower Loft interior

The location is excellent, with the TTC right on the doorstep. The area is one of the most trendy in Toronto, and King’s Tower is surrounded by Specialty Shops, Theatres, Restaurants and Cafes. And there is a Grocery Store across the street. Lake Shore and the Gardiner are basically around the corner.

The crown motif from the exterior of the building is echoed on the lobby floor

393 King is a quick streetcar ride to the financial core or either subway line. Walking distance to the Theatre District, Scotiabank Cinema, Harbourfront, TIFF Bell Lightbox, Rogers Centre and more. These lofts sit at the hub of active urban lifestyles.

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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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