Standing at 637 Lake Shore Boulevard West is one of Toronto's true tributes to innovation, renovation, and high-class living, the Tip Top Loft condominium complex. The exclusive lofts that are part of this building's appeal are unique in several aspects in comparison to other Toronto condominiums; they are located right on Lake Ontario within local proximity to the Martin Goodman Waterfront Park and trail system, as well as all of the excitement that makes up the atmosphere of the Toronto waterfront. The building is within walking distance to Ontario Place and a quick ferry ride from Toronto Island. The condos themselves are also unique; two stories high on average, they are spacious and comfortable with a soft loft appeal.
There's no doubt that many aspects of the modern Tip Top Loft building are unique, but in fact the singularity of this complex stretches right to the very foundation of the building itself. The Tip Top Loft condo complex is not just a testament to the luxury of high class living, but also to the innovation and ingenuity that keep the city of Toronto in the limelight as one of the most cutting edge locations in North America. It is one of the historic buildings in the city that enjoys a long history and a place in the cultural and commercial history of the city.
Residents of the Tip Top Loft complex can chalk up the incredible location, with its gorgeous view and easy access to all amenities, to the fact that the building itself was originally commercial in nature. It was constructed in 1929 by contracting company Bishop and Miller for the Tip Top Tailor clothing company, one of the largest men's clothing chains in Canada. Classified as an Art Deco building, the Tip Top structure was used both for office and warehouse purposes. At a time when highways and super freeways did not cross the landscape as it is today, access to the waters and ports of the Great Lakes was a huge commercial advantage, thus the location of the building proved to be invaluable.
With the Great Depression, Tip Top Tailors and others fell on hard times, and were forced to downsize as well as to review company policy. The company was sold to Dylex, who were interested in the chain and its potential, rather then any of the buildings the chain owned. The result was a rejuvenation of the corporate side, but this did not extend to the real estate holdings, and buildings like the warehouse were allowed to degenerate.
The move to conserve space, the appeal for the modern individual of a manageable living area, as well as skyrocketing real estate prices would all combine, bringing new life for the building, which was sold to Context Development Inc in 2002. The company renovated the historic structure into the high-end condominium building it is today, registering the complex in 2006.
Today, these condos (including the additional three floors of two storey units) are some of the most in demand pieces of real estate in Toronto.
Tip Top Lofts Toronto
If you live in an older home, chances are that you own a fireplace. A lot of times, it is the focal point of a living room or den. A fireplace is a great source for supplementary heat, and in these very trying financial times, every penny counts. If you can save money by keeping your fireplace up and running, then making the necessary repairs or upgrades is essential.
You will need to inspect the fireplace and chimney. This means inside and out. If you are unable to safely scale a ladder and the roof, you should consider hiring a reputable professional. If you are confident, set aside a half day to inspect the entire fireplace.
It is difficult to detect chimney damage from the ground so secure a ladder, preferably one that has hooks and climb on the roof. If you can tell that the chimney is leaning, you will probably need a professional because serious structural damage may not be something that you can tackle.
There are generally four parts of a chimney:
The Stack - The actual bricks and mortar portion of the chimney. It surrounds the flue and points north from the roof.
The Flashing - The actual base of the chimney stack. It securely connects the stack to the roof of the house.
The Flue - The duct that carries exhaust from the fireplace through the chimney and cap to the atmosphere.
The Cap - The slanted top which fits around the outside top of the flue and over the stack.
You want to make sure that none of the bricks are cracked or crumbling. If so these will need replacing. If the base, or flashing, is not connected securely to either the stack or the roof, it will need to be repaired or replaced to avoid water leaks. The flue should be sturdy with no deterioration or cracks. If so, call in the help of a professional. You will need to check the cap for wear and tear. You will need to fill in any cracks, but if it is deteriorated it will need replacing.
You can now check the fireplace. The four parts of a fireplace are:
The Hearth & Chamber - The brick portion of the fireplace. The chamber is where the logs are burned.
The Mantel - The outer wooden portion framing the fireplace. There should be a shelf at the top portion of the mantel.
The Flue - See Above
The Damper - The plate that adjusts to either open or close the flue.
When checking the hearth and chamber, make sure to check for cracked or broken bricks and crumbling mortar. Damaged bricks need to be replaced. Be sure to research the exact type of bricks that you will need as there are different types for different needs. You will need to replace the mantel if there is any smoke or fire damage or if you are redecorating. As stated earlier, there should be no cracks or deterioration in the flue. Lastly, the damper should work and be clean and free of any debris.
Now that you have assessed the damage, if any, you are ready to buy the materials and repair or refurbish your fireplace. It is wise to check the fireplace after every winter so that you can have it repaired before cold weather arrives.
Both Rob Parker & Shell Harris are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Rob Parker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Real Estate, Network Marketing and Real Estate. If you're looking at Toronto real estate listings, you can save time by first narrowing your selection to lofts, townhouses, single homes or condominiums.. Rob Parker's top article generates over 301000 views. Bookmark Rob Parker to your Favourites.
Shell Harris has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Legal Matters and Music. Agee Woodworks is a manufacturer of custom wood fireplace mantles and. Shell Harris's top article generates over 6600 views. Bookmark Shell Harris to your Favourites.
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