Academy Lane Lofts
The old Academy bowling alley on Queen East in the Beach, with a dancing academy, and later a boxing gym, upstairs. Bowled for some 60 years until the 1980s, it was rebuilt by Streetcar Developments in 2003 with two new floors on top as 12 lofts, winning a Toronto Urban Design Award.
History of Academy Lane Lofts
The two-storey building at 1852–54 Queen Street East doesn't show on the 1913 fire insurance map, so it is probably a little younger than the 1913 date often given. When William Humphries Moore bought it in 1920 it was a Ford dealership and service station. Moore was an Irish-born stonemason who had worked on Old City Hall, moved to the Beach in 1906 and became one of its early home builders.
By 1923 Moore was running a bowling alley downstairs and a dancing academy upstairs, which gave the building its name; he gave up the business in 1927. The lanes kept going for some 60 years until they closed in the 1980s, and for the next 20 years the building was used for many things, including an arts centre.
Streetcar Developments, then a young company run by Les Mallins, bought the vacant building and, with the Beach House Lofts next door, turned it into 12 lofts in 2003, adding a third and fourth floor on top. Bits of the old brick walls and wood beams show in the halls. Lofts run from about 860 to 1,700 square feet, many with balconies or roof terraces, and the building was one of the first in Toronto with stacked parking. The pair won a 2009 Toronto Urban Design Award.
Stories you'll hear
Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes is said to have sparred in the gym upstairs. It's a great story, but nobody has confirmed it.
“It was an armoury.” There's no record of that, and the area was still mostly bush until the 1900s.
Academy Lane Lofts: building profile
| Year | Sales | Avg $/sq ft | Days to sell | At or over asking | Leases | Avg rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| 2025 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — |
- Condo corporation
- TSCC 1589
- Property management
- Wilson Blanchard Management
- Pets
- Allowed, with restrictions
- Maintenance includes
- Heat, Common Elements, Parking, Building Insurance, CAC, Water
- Typical maintenance
- $1,195 to $1,373 per month
- Unit mix
- 3 × 2 bed (units seen on MLS)
Academy Lane Lofts: quick facts
Where is Academy Lane Lofts?
Academy Lane Lofts is at 1852 Queen Street East, Toronto, near Queen E & Woodbine, in The Beach.
When was Academy Lane Lofts built, and what was it originally?
It dates from the 1910s. The old Academy bowling alley on Queen East in the Beach, with a dancing academy, and later a boxing gym, upstairs.
What kind of loft is Academy Lane Lofts?
Academy Lane Lofts is a hard loft: an older industrial or commercial building converted into homes, keeping features like brick, beams and big windows.
How many units are in Academy Lane Lofts?
Academy Lane Lofts has 12 units.
Are there units for sale at Academy Lane Lofts right now?
As of November 6, 2026, 1 unit is for sale and 0 for lease.
How many units have sold or leased at Academy Lane Lofts recently?
In the past 2 years, 1 unit has sold and 2 leased at Academy Lane Lofts. Sold and leased prices are listed on this page.
What are the maintenance fees at Academy Lane Lofts?
Maintenance fees at Academy Lane Lofts are typically about $0.92 per square foot per month, or roughly $1,195 to $1,373 a month depending on the unit. Fees usually include heat, common elements, parking, building insurance, central air, water.
Are pets allowed at Academy Lane Lofts?
Yes, with restrictions set by the condo corporation.
What amenities does Academy Lane Lofts have?
Academy Lane Lofts amenities include bbqs allowed, elevator, bike storage, visitor parking.
Who manages Academy Lane Lofts?
Academy Lane Lofts is condo corporation TSCC 1589. It is managed by Wilson Blanchard Management.
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