Worx Lofts
The six-storey Croft Building on Wellington West, finished in 1915 for William Croft & Sons, wholesalers of everything from needles and fishing tackle to fireworks, and renamed the Monarch Building for the Monarch Belting Company by 1941. Converted around 1997 into 34 hard lofts with wood ceilings and 10½- to 12-foot ceilings.
History of Worx Lofts
William Croft started his business in 1855; his sons William Jr. and Anthony built this six-storey warehouse, finished in 1915, on the block between Spadina and Portland, after their Bay Street premises burned in the Great Fire of 1904 and stops on Front, Queen and Wellington. Croft & Sons made and imported needles, fishing tackle and collectable metal lures, and in 1918 advertised “fancy goods, notions, smallwares, dolls and toys… fireworks, flags… and playing cards”.
By 1941 the Monarch Belting Company, makers of leather belting, had moved in and put its name over the door, and the building has been the Monarch Building since. In the 1980s and 1990s it was leased out in pieces.
B.G.N.R. Development, linked to John Berman, first listed the lofts in 1997. The 34 one- and two-storey lofts run from about 980 to 1,880 square feet, with exposed brick, wood columns and ceilings, 10½- to 12-foot ceilings and big warehouse windows; the top floors have two-storey units with terraces, and the north-end units have windows on three sides and private elevator access.
Stories you'll hear
Croft Street is named for John Croft, the only person killed in the 1904 fire, and people often connect him to this family. A Croft descendant says there was no relation.
Worx Lofts: quick facts
Where is Worx Lofts?
Worx Lofts is at 436 Wellington Street West, Toronto, near Wellington W & Spadina, in King West / Entertainment District.
When was Worx Lofts built, and what was it originally?
It was built in 1915. The six-storey Croft Building on Wellington West, finished in 1915 for William Croft & Sons, wholesalers of everything from needles and fishing tackle to fireworks, and renamed the Monarch Building for the Monarch Belting Company by 1941.
What kind of loft is Worx Lofts?
Worx 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 Worx Lofts?
Worx Lofts has 34 units.
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