Hard vs Soft
Hey, if you’re going to be checking out lofts, you might as well get with the lingo so you can keep up with what your real estate agent says.
HARD
If your agent tells you that the place you’ll be checking out is a “hard” loft, it’s what most of us traditionally envision of a loft: those high unfinished ceilings with exposed beams and brick, no walls anywhere except to separate the bathroom, and (usually) visible ducts or plumbing. The windows are also “warehouse style”. No fancy decorations or finishes here. It’ll be just a plain space often featuring the original structural workmanship, which is why it’s so popular! A hard loft is a residential building space that was once a functioning warehouse or factory. A good example of one in Toronto is The Broadview Lofts. Once a Rexall Drugs warehouse constructed at the turn of the century, The Broadview Lofts has all of these features plus a number of amenities that have been added to serve its residents - something that is hard to come by with hard lofts.
And remember: hard is synonymous with “true” in the world of lofts.
SOFT
For a “soft” loft, be prepared for something different from your traditional expectations. Ceilings can be lower, with no real minimum height but typically higher than a condominium unit. There is no exposed brick, beams, etc. The unit has been totally finished, but with big windows and more open space than a condo, which means less walls. Soft lofts are not converted warehouses or factories. They were built for the whole purpose of becoming a residential space.
Zed is a soft loft in downtown Toronto.
