Merchandise Lofts

Built in various stages between 1910 and 1949, the Merchandise Building is a classic example of the early 20th-century industrial Chicago School architectural style. The building was first owned by Simpsons and then Sears Canada before its conversion in the 1990s into residential lofts. It was one of the first industrial edifices in downtown Toronto to undergo an adaptive-reuse transformation of this kind.

The common areas, however, had not been designed during the conversion. In 2010, a design competition was launched and Bortolotto was selected to complete and reimagine the ground floor and fourth-floor lobby and amenity space.

Working with an unusual ground-floor configuration — the main level extends across an entire city block, from Dalhousie to Mutual Streets — we took a long and jagged space characterized by hard angles and introduced undulating walls that weave like a ribbon from one entrance to the other. The result is a smooth, curved corridor and lobby area with stepped and tapered ceiling and wall elements inspired by Art Deco and the details of industrial machinery to provide texture and patterns within the space. We also designed an art gallery at one end of the corridor that showcases large-format archival photographs from the original era of the building. 

For the fourth-floor reception and lounge areas, we created a welcoming atmosphere while honouring the industrial spirit. We retained the concrete floors but introduced wood ceilings and walls in certain areas to create a warm and inviting communal space for residents to work, read, or gather with friends.