Hot real estate market, which Toronto has been enjoying for several years, encouraged numerous loft conversions. Exceptional heights, floor-to-ceiling windows and rugged industrial features - loft apartments look great, and are bound up with a potent and alluring set of associations: light, space, freedom, and the vibrant cultural quarters in the heart of the inner city. They are popular not only with the young crowd, but also with mature buyers that want a special kind of place.

Art looks great in these lofty spaces, and the height compensates for the sometimes-cramped area. Some of the lofts are small - just a 'pied a terre', but the larger ones can be breathtakingly beautiful. Most of these apartments are located in old factory buildings, and have no swimming pools or security personnel. Lack of these features is, however, more than compensated by the proportionally lower maintenance fees.