After six years of planning and construction, the Brunswick Lofts units are finally complete, and they’re stunning.
Before this latest iteration, 225 Brunswick Ave. had many lives. The 19th-century red brick structure was a Gospel church, a Jewish synagogue, an art school, and an office building in its past lives.
Now, in its latest chapter, it has become a seven-home heritage conversion project.
The front entrance.
The old building, which had fallen into disuse, was purchased by Jeff Kopas, President of Kopas Developments.
Kopas Developments, along with award-winning design firms Suulin Architects and Oben Build, then embarked on the arduous task of converting and transforming the historical building into a beautiful multi-unit residence.
The kitchen and dining room.
It’s been a complete labour of love to bring these lofts to life while preserving the architectural character of the building.
“When I first started on this journey, it seemed to me like the perfect small conversion project. It would breathe new life into a local historical landmark and add some gentle density to the neighbourhood,” said Jeff Kopas, President of Kopas Developments.
One of two bedrooms.
It’s the type of build that is desperately needed in greater numbers in Toronto, but a category of development opportunity that is often passed over due to the barriers involved.
“The incredibly challenging six-year process our team went through to get this project approved and built is emblematic of the challenge many developers face when trying to create missing middle housing in residential neighbourhoods,” explained Kopas.
An exposed brick wall adds a touch of character to the unit.
But now all their hard work has paid off, and the building boasts four two-storey garden suites and three two-storey penthouses.
The upstairs hallway.
“It excites me to think that a building that held a pretty high value to the neighbourhood is now going to be home to seven families,” said listing agent Paul Johnston.
“The building really adds to the texture of the community, as an act of preservation but also reinvention. It feels eclectic thanks to the modern intervention, which I think fits brilliantly within the context of The Annex / Harbord Village.”
The living room.
Each of the seven units feature a main living space on the main level, complete with a custom kitchen in white oak with stone countertops, and then either one or two bedrooms upstairs.
And since there’s been so much hype surrounding this build, it’s thrilling to finally get to see the inside now that the first garden suite unit went up for sale.
The primary bedroom.
“These are bright, very stylish and very comfortable homes that naturally have the advantage of being located just one block from Bloor Street, a few blocks from Harbord and so close to U of T,” said Johnston.
Garden Home 5 boasts two bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs as well as a powder room on the main floor.
The white oak staircase leading to the second floor of the unit.
The interior layout and material choices take inspiration from the building’s historic charm, blending heritage elements like exposed brick and finely crafted carpentry.
The primary bedroom has an ensuite.
The minimalist design palette and open-concept main floor create a stylish, modern living space.
What makes the design really stand out is how it plays with the building’s angles, softening sharp corners with curves, mixing in new wood while reusing the old, and maximizing the natural light—a rare treat for a church conversion like this.
The kitchen with white oak cabinets and stone counters and backsplash.
And, of course, there are plenty of luxury additions to the suite like Miele appliances and a wine fridge in the kitchen, smart home technology, as well as your own private entrance and outdoor space.
One of the bathrooms.
“These homes have been made for people who want something extraordinary: the benefits of owning a house, without the hassle and maintenance of doing so, while avoiding the sacrifices of being in a high-rise tower, all within a convenient, desirable and vibrant location that is extremely walkable and transit-connected,” said Kopas.
The only thing this building doesn’t have is parking, though two subway stations are located within easy walking distance.
Plenty of built-in storage in the bedroom.
Garden House 5 is listed for $1,695,000.
