Here’s an old example of adaptive reuse. This building was originally the Walkerville phone excahnge in the 1920’s. Somewhere along the way the building got expanded and converted to residential use. The transformation occured back in the 20’s or 30’s.
Only a gander to the roofline on the Lincoln Road side reveals the building’s history.
“The Bell Telephone Company of Canada”
My sister was dating a man who lived here once.
in the lower part or basement of this old building.. it was so scary!! it was wet… pipes curving all throughout the cellings…dripping with water… and every time someone flushed thier toliets you heard it…. and it was 600 bucks a month! shit hole!!!!1 bedroom it was kind of like a loft in the basement..&…kind of roomy as well….
Well, it’s five years later… There’s a new owner, as of this spring, and he’s been doing some real clean-up and spruce-up work–replacing the roof, repairing the lobby area, new flooring in some of the apartments, etc. Lilly is right about the basement apartments–they ae clean and dry now, but still not a place I would want to live. I’m on the top floor, with 10-12 foot ceilings (probably 10-foot, I am terrible at estimating that sort of thing), 6-foot or windows (as you can see from the photo), lots of light. The floors in the lobby are marble with terrazzo–there may be more under the rubberized surface on the stairs. Many of the apartments have those wonderful 30’s touches, like built-in vanities, window seats, dumbwaiters, etc. No two are the same. The stairs have wood/iron railings and iron balusters–maybe original? But yes, a great reuse. The building was designed to be bomb-proof and is very solid–the benefit for apartments is that there is no-none, zero-noise from the neighbours through the walls or ceiling/floor.
I am so enjoying this site–reading it when I should be working, lol!
Martha, I do ALL my IM reading at work! 🙂
~ Martha…any idea what the going rate for rent in there is now?… it sounds like a pretty decent place?
Annette–It depends on the size of the apartment and where it is in the building–ranges probably around $600 – $700; but that’s all-inclusive (heat, water, telephone, cable, internet) except hydro. Not much parking but on the bus lines.
i have what would be deemed the smallest place here and it’s still roomy enough.
sat phone and INTERNET,can’t be bored here.
quiet oh so quiet after living in a war zone for 10 years it’s heaven.
this place is really great if you have all the toys.
as i do.
it’s close to everything,the market,the deli’s,kfc,beer and liquor stores,essentially the best of walker,Erie and Ottawa.
the area is pleasant,the bus is at the door.
no bugs and well worth the money.
my apt has been renovated,fairly well,just the right mix of the past era and modern.
my bathroom is spacious and completely tiled,same for the kitchen,mine being bachelor like,still works if u have what is needed to get started.
The management is friendly.
i recommend this place.
i can see a line up in time for this place,as i counted only 20 mail boxes.
i was told that the reason the hydro is not inc is that it is to keep the riffraff out.
good.
oh by the way we have satellite,not cable just wanted to clear this.the phone is inclusive of long distance north America and the net has no limits.
NO FREAK BILLS HERE.
BEST PLACE I HAVE HAD IN OVER 20 YEARS.
so if u like movies….
Im glad to read of this old building…….friends daughter just moved in to her first place on her own….@ 23 years old —-i want to see her safe and protected………..