For this building’s conversion from a factory to a condo, both an architectural firm and a developer worked together to renovate, demolish, and create. Lanterra Developments and Quadrangle Architects were the team behind the Toy Factory Lofts, which Torontonians have been able to call home since 2008. The original structure, however, was built nearly a century earlier. Back then, the Toy Factory Lofts was, in fact, a toy factory.

43 Hanna housed a paper production factory first for Hinde and Dauch. It wasn’t until 1940 that the building was purchased by the Irwin family, who would then manage the largest toy company in Canada for the next half-century. Until 2001, when the company was sold to private investors, the building was responsible for churning out Care Bears, Easy Bake Ovens, Hula Hoops, and other childhood favourites.

While the sale of Irwin Toys meant one thing for that industry, Torontonians certainly benefited from the factory’s closure. Liberty Village had, at the time, been experiencing massive growth in businesses, homes, and popularity. It only made sense, then, that Lanterra would opt to bestow the neighbourhood with 213 additional residences. The Toy Factory Lofts is a prime example of how the old and the new can coexist in harmony with one another: the building’s red brick, industrial-style exterior allures passersby with its historical charm.

Plus, the building is like a toy store for adults: a wide array of amenities is available for residents to enjoy, including a business centre, guest suites, a concierge, a party room, and a modern fitness centre. And while loads of amenities can often equate to hefty monthly fees, the board of trustees is among the city’s most competent. This means that residents can enjoy the amenities described above and some of the city’s lowest monthly fees. On top of seven awards for its design, the building received an award for Project of the Year from Greater Toronto’s Homebuilders Association.