285 Mutual Street & 281 Mutual Street & 261-301 Mutual Street

The exterior of Radio City may not be as graceful as a ballerina, but it has some elegance thanks to its cohabitation with the National Ballet School of Canada. The site has also been carefully redesigned thanks to its heritage designation and significant history. The name Radio City is a dead giveaway for the building’s past life — 281-285 Mutual Street is where Canada’s first TV broadcast was sent from, and was originally the English headquarters of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

First constructed in the 1950s, 281-285 Mutual Street was converted into residences in 2005. The site now consists of two high-rise towers — one 25 and one 30 storeys tall — as well as a number of Toronto townhouses through 261-301 Mutual St. The redevelopment by Context Development resulted in 414 new homes becoming available for Toronto buyers to snatch up.

Trendsetters love the notoriety of the complex, which has received numerous awards and recognitions over the years. In 2008, the complex received the Global Award for Excellence from the Urban Land Institute. The National Post named Radio City the second best residential tower in Toronto in 2006; the building graced the cover of Toronto Life’s Condo Generation issue that same year.

Building managers have a knack for making life easier for residents as well — another plus for the lofts at 281-285 Mutual Street. A website for the building not only updates residents on goings-on, but the arrival of a packages is followed up by an email to its recipient, and service requests can be made online as well.

Not uncommon for Context’s constructions, amenities are abundant. While residents living in the main building have direct access to the gym, sauna, fitness studio, and party room, townhouse residents can use these as well. While those living in townhouses have to walk outside to reach these facilities, they also benefit from slightly lower monthly condo fees. Additionally, residents have access to a concierge 24 hours a day, as well as underground parking, guest suites, and an art-infused courtyard where one might even wind up mingling with a ballerina.

As soft lofts, the units at Radio City are modern and elegant, rather than the raw, industrial style of authentic conversions. As a result, residents benefit from modern kitchens and bathrooms and an overall glossy look. These are, however, still considered “loft” style Toronto condos for sale when listed, which is made obvious by oversized sliding doors and exposed concrete walls.

The homes at 281-285 Mutual Street range considerably in size, providing something for every type of buyer. The coziest of units begin at 400 square feet, perfect for a single young professional. More spacious units, large enough for sizeable families, reach to around 2,700 square feet. Bachelor units make up the smallest homes here, while the roomier units can contain up to two bedrooms.

Other hints that the units are in fact, Toronto lofts, are the 9-foot ceiling height and floor-to-ceiling windows. As a result, these homes feel brighter, fresher, and more spacious than the average condo. And if these units didn’t already feel roomy enough, prospective buyers will be happy to learn about the private outdoor spaces that are appended to every unit.

Even the balconies are impressive, with some reaching to 27 feet long. Those lucky enough to score corner units will love taking in the cityscape from multiple angles, while one particular penthouse unit is equipped with three balconies just for itself.

The townhouses at 281-285 Mutual Street are another story. Naturally, residents living in these units benefit from the privacy of their own front door, rather than entering through a common lobby. Privacy also subsists inside these homes, as the townhouses span multiple storeys. Some of these reach to three storey’s tall, with balconies above and floating staircases throughout.

We already know that residents of Radio City don’t have to go far for culture: the ballet is literally just downstairs. Other options for entertainment include catching a live show at the Pheonix Concert Theatre, a play at the Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, or an exhibit at the ROM.

For a more casual outing, residents can take a walk along the vibrant LGBTQ+ area known as the The Village or Church-Yonge Corridor. Authentic fare, from Vietnamese to Lebanese, can be found here, interspersed with independent shops and businesses.

Outdoor spaces are plentiful in the area, from Ryerson Community Park to Allan Gardens, which also boasts an off-leash dog area. Also within walking distance is Riverdale Park West, which features a farm, skating rink, baseball diamonds, cricket pitch field, and more.

The area is among the most vibrant in the city, and numerous charming, laid-back neighbourhoods are within reach. Just to the north is Cabbagetown, while south-east travel will land residents in historic Distillery District. Even St. Lawrence Market is just a short walk away from the building, where residents can stock up on fresh foods of all sorts.

Radio City residents can access any area of Toronto with ease, even without a vehicle of their own. College subway station is a short walk away, where passengers can ride trains heading north or south on the Yonge line. Streetcars along College are also a great option for those heading east or west.

For those with two wheels, College, Gerrard, and Jarvis are ideal, bike-friendly routes for riding around town with ease. As for those traveling on four wheels, drivers can also take advantage of these very same arterial roads.

Those heading out by car can also make use of the Don Valley Parkway for speedy north-south travel, or the Gardiner Expressway for fast-paced east-west movement. From either of these, Pearson International Airport can even be reached in just over 30 minutes.