Escape to the Hip – and Historic – Distillery District
Upon entering the Distillery District, you will be forgiven for scanning the sky for telltale signs that you’re still in the city. It’s that easy to forget.
With brick-lined, pedestrian-only streets and piazza styled areas, old-world charm oozes from every crevice. But don’t worry, despite its status as Toronto’s only historic neighbourhood, you won’t feel like you’re in the middle of a history re-enactment. The strains of jazz wafting from a café’s open door and a piece of modern art hanging in a nearby gallery will let you know you’ve got your feet planted firmly in 2008.
What you won’t find in the Distillery District is a chain restaurant or a franchise anything. Originality and authenticity rule here, from hip restaurants to eclectic boutiques to theatre and dance companies, even a bona fide chocolate factory.
But this downtown enclave is more than arts and entertainment. For many, it’s a haven for home and work. The upper floors of a number of buildings have been leased to artists as studio spaces and office tenants with creative pursuits. Several condo and loft developments encircle the central hive of activity, many of which have breathtaking views of the city, yet offer respite from the fast-paced hustle the downtown core embodies.
The Distillery District’s is situated on 13 acres that were once home to Gooderham and Worts, the largest distillery in the world. Though much of the district – and its residents – are as modern as it gets, they live among North America’s largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture.
Clear Spirit
One of the newest condo developments in the district is Clear Spirit, a 40-storey glass point highrise that is both elegant and contemporary. Like the Distillery District itself, Clear Spirit gets the details right. With only high-quality fixtures and finishings, such as granite countertops, engineered wood flooring, floor-to-ceiling glass panels and luxurious bathroom tiling, luxury is built in. Wrap-around terraces and balconies are standard, offering an endless connection with the outdoors by sun and moonlight.
Reflective water pools will make the transition from the Distillery District courtyard to the lobby entrance and, blurring the lines between the outdoors and in, will be professionally landscaped grounds, a rooftop garden and sunset terrace with outdoor bar and fireplace. Media/screening rooms and well-equipped exercise facilities, including indoor and outdoor yoga and pilates studios, ensure residents have choice and luxury.
