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Lifestyle Real Estate

What I Bought: A central downtown spot for $365,000

More space was what was on their minds when partners Amber Moyle (left) and Holly Williams decided to move a few streetcar stops west from their old home at King and River to new digs at Queen and Jarvis. Proximity to work was a huge factor in the purchase: Moyle, when buying the condo, worked at the 519, and Williams works in technical analysis a five-minute walk away. Though Moyle now works at Artscape as the special events and sponsorship manager, the pair are still fans of their central downtown spot. 

The furniture is a mix of pieces, mostly Moyle’s, though the couple bought the couch together. The dining room table and hutch in the living room were crafted by Moyle’s grandfathers, both carpenters. Much of the art on the walls is by friend and photographer Richard Rhyme

Some accent pieces, like the dining room chairs and the arrows above the hall closet, were sourced from the Bunz Trading Group. (Subway tokens are the currency of choice for many Bunzers, says Moyle.) The pot rack hanging above the kitchen counter is actually a piece of fence from Moyle’s grandmother’s house, and one reason the pair preferred to buy rather than rent: “I definitely wouldn’t feel comfortable making holes that size in the ceiling in a rental,” says Williams. 

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Wish list

A locker to store the piles of equipment Williams needs to play hockey at the nearby Moss Park Arena an animal-friendly building more outdoor space, which they got a semblance of with their Queen-facing Juliet balcony a low-rise building, both because the people are friendlier, they say, and because Williams was tired of the long elevator wait when she lived at Yonge and Bloor. “We used to press the button and then go back in and finish getting ready,” laughs Moyle.

What they got

A 780-square-foot condo in the Glasshouse Lofts on Queen between Church and Jarvis. 

Number of places seen

15 to 20. “We weren’t looking too seriously to start with, so the process took a lot longer than we’d expected” said Moyle. 

Original budget

$360,000

What they paid

$365,000 ($10,000 under asking) 

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Why they love the neighbourhood

The number of dog parks nearby was a selling point for both they are fostering one and have another of their own. They love the central location: “We’re definitely the pre-drinking place for most of our friends.”

St. Lawrence Market is a big draw. Also a plus is St. James Park. “It’s set on rolling hills, so pretty much every spot you choose to sit is a good one,” muses Williams. “And there’s no one rope-walking or axe-throwing there,” she laughs. 

They also like the string of patios along the Esplanade, though the pair do travel elsewhere for nights out, and the streetcar makes that easy to do. 

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