The Poet - Fieldgate Urban artful condo living

Walking along Queen St. East, it’s hard not to fall in love with Leslieville. A long-overlooked stretch of the city is turning heads with a striking vibrancy and eclectic style that can no longer be ignored. It’s a bit of a mix, with artisanal shops, great pubs, some decadent dining and cool indie design boutiques. On the heels of developing The Heartwood at Queen and Woodbine, Fieldgate Urban, a leading infill developer, found the perfect location in Leslieville – at Queen and Leslie – to develop The Poet.

Offering an intimate six-storey midrise with only 69 suites ranging from one- to three-bedrooms, the building meshes seamlessly with the fabric of the streetscape while fulfilling the need for more residential options in the community. The Poet will back onto a small park, and the majority of suites will be accompanied by significant outdoor space. Purchasers will also have access to a shared rooftop terrace.

The Poet’s lush setting gave inspiration to the architecture and interior design. Award-winning firms TACT Architecture and figure3 Design have infused the development with both sophistication and comfort. Vibrant interiors feature an emphasis on textures, graphic lines and natural materials.

“The Poet is an example of the kind of work TACT Architecture describes as warm modernism,” says Prishram Jain, principal at TACT Architecture. “There is a deliberate focus on natural materials such as wood and masonry because, while the goal is to have a modern aesthetic, we want to balance that with a sense of home by using materials that feel warm and approachable.”

When it comes to amenities, the design team at figure3 focuses on fostering a feeling of community, providing purposeful features to extend the living space. There is a generous lobby with concierge and a well-equipped gym. The large rooftop terrace features a barbecue and private dining area, providing an oasis above the city. A media room and lounge offer great flexibility for entertaining – the console has been designed so that it can open up or be sectioned off to accommodate residents’ needs.

“We wanted the design to act as an extension of the site and Queen Street East,” says Dominic DeFreitas, principal at figure3. “There is a great relationship between the interiors and the outdoors, with plants and natural elements used throughout.”

The architect also wanted to maintain an element of privacy within the outdoor space along Queen Street. The ceiling and side walls of the balconies are clad in a wood pattern, and the railing is not all glass; rather, three-quarters of it is a masonry-styled finish that enhances privacy.

“The choice to feature masonry along the railings was a thoughtful decision to merge practicality and privacy with playful design, with this feeling of the façade weaving in and out,” says Jain.

Leslieville has consistently been ranked among the most desirable places to live in Toronto, though purchasing opportunities have been sparse. There is a new Netflix studio set to open, and General Motors is launching its first-ever innovation centre.

The area is well serviced, with access to the Gardiner Expressway and DVP as well as transit, and the Relief Line South is anticipated to move forward, which will service the area with a subway extension. Grocery stores – from Loblaws and No Frills to Farm Boy – are all within walking distance.

The Poet brings an opportunity to enter a community that is in the midst of significant growth and budding interest.

The Poet is a six-storey, midrise collection of 69 residences including three townhomes, ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedrooms.