The QB Lofts at 692 Queen Street East, near Broadview

The QB Lofts is an interesting little store front loft conversion right on Queen Street East, just west of Broadview. It is a recent loft project, converted in 2006 by 692 Queen Street Holding Inc. They carved 5 units out of the second floor of a retail building, creating lofts of 1,308-1,446 square feet. Some have rooftop terraces up to 1,000 square feet – with a pretty cool view of the New Broadview Hotel.

The QB Lofts have modern finishes in the heart of Riverdale

Each of the QB Lofts are unique and modern. Each loft was designed as a functional live and/or work space. The lofts have layouts with 1 or 2 bedrooms and one or two level designs. Some come with parking, all have low maintenance fees. The QB Lofts are located just minutes from downtown at the intersection of two major streetcar routes. The lofts are also a short distance away from both the Yonge-University-Spadina and Bloor-Danforth subway lines.

An ad from a 1948 newspaper for Pickering Farms at 692 Queen Street East

The building may have originally been used by Pickering Farms Limited, as they were in the building from at least 1932 to 1948 from what I can find. Not sure what was there from the late 1940s to the early 1960s, though. From the early 1960s until the early 1990s it was the Queensdale Restaurant. Then it became Clutters Art Deco Gallery Antiques – which used to be mentioned in the same breath as the Art Shoppe or The Carlu. And then it was sold in the mid-2000s and converted to lofts.

692 Queen Street East when it was Clutters Art Deco Gallery Antiques

I remember seeing some of the QB Lofts back when they were just converted and first offered – and I was not that impressed. But now… now it is the location that sells them. Considering you can get 1,300 or 1,400 square feet with a big rooftop terrace for $600-something in the heart of Riverdale – they are a great choice. If one ever comes up for sale. Fees are LOW and it is self-managed. There is a lot to like here.

Huge rooftop deck at QB Lofts, with a great view of the Broadview Hotel

Riverdale’s sub-neighbourhood of Riverside has been called Toronto’s SoHo by some, and the community’s strong arts focus and bohemian feel certainly encourages such a title. Riverside has an active BIA that has focused on streetscaping, new pedestrian lighting and facade improvement, creating a well-cared for environment in which businesses are flourishing.

One of the gorgeous kitchens in the QB Lofts at 692 Queen Street East

Home to some of Toronto’s best burger joints (Dangerous Dan’s – don’t argue), furniture stores, and cafes where even the most discerning latte-art connoisseur will not turn up his/her nose at the carefully crafted double lattes. Each year the spring Riverdale Art Walk provides an outlet for area artists – I used to exhibit there for many years myself. Embarrassingly enough, I was even the poster boy one year… in the “RAW”… Please don’t mention it, I’m still a little scarred.

Riverdale Art Walk at Jimmie Simpson Park

And the area is only going to get better. Imagine the new Broadview Hotel when it is complete – think Gladstone East. Then there is the whole Riverside Square project, it is going to transform entire blocks on the south side of Queen. Add in the Canary District and the West Don Lands across the river… North Keating… the whole east end gonna go boom boom.

The QB Lofts at 692 Queen Street East

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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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