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This Victorian-era Cabbagetown home is ‘drenched in charm’ with its original features. Will it sell at $1.78-million?

Nestled among heritage properties and the spruce trees that lend the street its name, this 1880s home stands out with its original architectural details and spacious layout.

Toronto Star

April 5, 2025

By Joyce Li & Vanessa Tiberio

Cabbagetown

46 Spruce Street

Price: $1,775,000

Neighbourhood: Cabbagetown

X-factor: The original architectural features of the home, such as its stained glass windows and fireplaces, are the top selling points of the home. 

For those looking to restore and personalize a home rich in character, this red-brick house in the heart of Cabbagetown presents a unique opportunity in one of Toronto’s most storied neighbourhoods.

Nestled among heritage properties and the spruce trees that lend the street its name, 46 Spruce Street stands out with its original architectural details and spacious layout.

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom semi-detached home comes in at around 2,500 square feet across three storeys.

“It’s just drenched in charm,” said Grace Chan, a local real estate agent who shared her thoughts about the listing with the Star. “These are the pre-war houses and they definitely don’t make them like they used to.”

The home features stained glass windows that cast colourful light throughout the space and high ceilings with large windows that enhance natural lighting. A Victorian-era cast iron fireplace is a highlight of the living room.

The home likely dates back to the 1880s, listing agent Daniel Bloch told the Star, adding that the property “has a lot of original character.”

“Obviously the home is a fixer-upper, it needs some work,” said Bloch. “But overall, the size is amazing and we have some really nice architectural plans with what could be done to this home.”

“This house has stood for a long time so it could be something that you can (renovate) one room at a time or you can do it all at once,” said Chan. “Either way, you can’t really go wrong.”

A generous eat-in kitchen opens onto a deck and a fully fenced backyard, designed for both entertaining and relaxation.

The second floor houses three spacious bedrooms and a full bath, while the third boasts a loft-style primary suite. The suite includes a fireplace, an expansive ensuite bathroom and a walkout with potential for a sundeck.

The property is adjacent to a private park shared exclusively with neighbouring homes, providing a rare and private pocket of green space in the city.

“Cabbagetown is up and coming,” said Bloch, referring to the growth in the area. “The neighbourhood is very rich in diversity and has some of the best Victorian-era preserved homes in the city.”

Located within walking distance of Riverdale Park and surrounded by local restaurants, cafes and boutique shops, the area has a lot to offer, according to Bloch.

With easy access to downtown and the Don Valley Parkway, Bloch said the location is well-suited for commuters.

Who are the ideal buyers?

When it comes to the ideal buyer, Chan says the home is best suited for somebody looking for a long-term investment or a builder who wants to create something special and live in it before selling.

“I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily for a first time homebuyer,” said Chan, adding that the home would be a “nice upsizer” for a current homeowner.

As for families, Chan advises it may be something better for a couple without kids who may have the time to put “sweat equity” into the property by making it a personal project.

“If you’re looking to start a family, then the home may be a little bit more difficult because if you did have kids, then, of course, the renovation would not be suitable,” she said.

Is it listed at its value?

As for the price of the listing, Chan says “it isn’t out of line” compared to where the market is nowadays.

“A fixer-upper nowadays isn’t what it used to be,” said Chan, adding that they are selling for higher price points and likely putting more into the costs of renovations as well.

According to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s (TRREB) February market watch report, the average price of a semi-detached home in the Cabbagetown area was $1,635,000. There were no semi-detached sales in the area Cabbagetown is in for the month of March, according to TRREB’s March market watch report.

Listing Broker: Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. (Daniel Bloch & Liora Tal)

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Home Of The Week: Toronto Victorian has the character brought back

A Victorian Home in Cabbagetown gets the character back

Globe and Mail

June 21, 2024

By Carolyn Ireland

Cabbagetown

63 Metcalfe Street, Toronto

Asking price: $2,599,000
Taxes: $8,728.18 (2023)
Lot size: 16 by 91 feet
Agents: Daniel Bloch and Liora Tal, Harvey Kalles Real Estate

The backstory

During Keith Pfeiffer’s first visit to Toronto in the 1990s, the South Africa native was invited to a dinner party in the city’s historic Cabbagetown neighbourhood.

Mr. Pfeiffer recalls being charmed by the Victorian streetscape. He had no plans to move to Canada at the time, but in 2008 his partner Lawrence Reiter suggested the two do exactly that.

“We just couldn’t deal with the crime any more,” Mr. Pfeiffer says of life in South Africa.

The couple felt the need for a change and Toronto seemed like a safe and inviting city.

They rented in the Annex for a while and considered Victorian homes in the area. But for Mr. Pfeiffer, most city neighbourhoods couldn’t match the character of Cabbagetown.

About 10 years ago he went to look at a slender Victorian-era row house for sale at 63 Metcalfe St.

The 2 1/2 storey home was dilapidated after years of neglect.

“There was no staircase to the second floor – you accessed it from outside,” he recalls. “I looked at it and said, ‘this is too big a job for me. I’m out.’”

Mr. Pfeiffer and Mr. Reiter continued their search for a less overwhelming project. They purchased another late-19th century home and refurbished that property.

“My big passion is walking into these Victorians where they have stripped the character out and putting the character back in,” says Mr. Pfeiffer.

About three years ago the house at 63 Metcalfe came up for sale again. This time Mr. Pfeiffer and Mr. Reiter were pleasantly shocked by the transformation.

In the years since Mr. Pfeiffer first walked through the door, another couple had purchased the home and undertook an extensive renovation.

The two decided to buy the property and add their own style over time.

The house today

Mr. Pfeiffer and Mr. Reiter got to know the previous owners, who described evicting the raccoons who lived in the attic and cleaning up the property.

“It was a mammoth task,” says Mr. Pfeiffer.

They also built a new staircase to the second floor but this time they made it a little wider than the original staircase from the late 1800s would have been. That made tasks such as carrying furniture up to the higher floors much easier, Mr. Pfeiffer points out.

Walls have been removed on the main floor so that the living room at the front of the house is open to the dining area in the centre and the kitchen at the rear.

“The proportions are enormous,” Mr. Pfeiffer says of the high ceilings that allow room for grand chandeliers.

Mr. Pfeiffer revamped the kitchen area, where the previous owners had a built-in banquette along the home’s rear wall. The door to the garden was along the side.

That arrangement was practical for a family with three kids, Mr. Pfeiffer says, but it cut off the kitchen from the backyard.

“It made the house incredibly dark,” he adds.

Mr. Pfeiffer removed the banquette and had floor-to-ceiling French doors and windows installed.

He had the outdoor deck raised to the level of the kitchen so that it’s easy to step outside for lounging and dining or soaking in the hot tub.

The area between the kitchen and deck has become a family room with wood-lined walls to delineate the space and add texture.

Throughout the four-bedroom home, the previous owners chose a simple scheme.

“They went black and white with the entire house – doors, floors, window frames, et cetera,” says Mr. Pfeiffer, who decided to keep that envelope in most rooms but added some colour in the form of tiles, paint, wallpaper and art.

In the kitchen, Mr. Pfeiffer retained the white cabinets but refinished the marble countertop. He also changed the taps and cabinet hardware to an antique gold finish.

He also visited salvage shops to find reclaimed Victorian elements such as the plaster ceiling rosettes.

Upstairs, the home has three bedrooms and a family bathroom with a soaker tub.

In the bedrooms, Mr. Pfeiffer had floral wallpaper murals printed in Turkey to match the size of the walls.

The partly finished lower level currently serves as a home office.

Mr. Pfeiffer says Metcalfe is a very quiet street with lots of friendly people nearby willing to help each other out. He enjoys sitting out front and talking with neighbours as they pass by.

“In South Africa we lived behind these huge walls,” he says. “In a lot of cases, I never met my neighbours. Now they’re a call away.”

The best feature

The top floor of the house provides a primary suite with plenty of privacy.

The bedroom at the rear has a gas fireplace and doors opening to a deck.

There’s an area for coffee and built-in closets provide lots of storage space.

The large bathroom has a double vanity, claw foot tub and ceramic floor ties imported from Portugal.

For that suite, Mr. Pfeiffer removed some of the black and white finishes and added blue and muted gold.

“I just wanted it a little bit softer.”

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Toronto Star Home Of The Week: 6 Jessie Drive

Toronto Star

June 1, 2024

By Carola Vyhnak

Don Mills

6 Jessie Drive (Don Mills)

Asking price: $1,349,000
Size: 2,214 sq. ft., including the 288 sq. ft. finished basement
Lot: 13.35-by-76.9 feet, 1 car garage, front drive with two parking spaces
Bedrooms: 4 plus 1
Bathrooms: 3

The sellers: When Debbie Brown and Shane Howarth were house-hunting a dozen years ago, they had their hearts set on a detached home with a big backyard in the southeast part of the city. But much to their surprise, they fell for a three-storey executive townhome with a back patio in an entirely different area. It had everything they wanted — and more.

“We realized it was a bit of a hidden gem,” Howarth says of the location in a quiet Don Mills enclave near parks, woods and nature trails.

Bigger than houses in their initial search area, the townhome is a light-filled 2,200 square feet with abundant storage and four big bedrooms. “We went, ‘Oh, my God! This offers us so much,’ ” Brown recalls. “With the open plan and high ceilings, you get an immediate sense of space and airiness. The huge bedrooms (were) a real treat.” Indeed, two of them became sanctuaries for the couple’s mothers, who live with them.

With no grass to cut and a park across the road for their now 13-year-old son, “whenever really missed having a big backyard,” Brown points out. The front balcony is their go-to spot for relaxing, chatting with neighbours and watching kids play, Howarth says.

The parents fondly recall activities with their son, who “from toddler to teen,” has doubled in height, according to the growth chart in his bedroom. Howarth remembers building tracks for Thomas the Tank Engine in the boy’s room while Brown’s memories revolve around bike-riding lessons with training wheels.

But it’s on the main floor, where they spend most of their time, that their living space really shines. “We’ve had wonderful Thanksgiving meals here,” says Brown, explaining the kitchen and open dining/living rooms can accommodate numerous visitors. And the square opening in the connecting wall means hosts and guests can still chat during food preps.

Among the projects they’ve done — kitchen updates to renos in all three bathrooms— one that really stands out is the midnight blue wall on the main floor. “We love the drama of it,” says Brown, remarking on how it “warms and grounds the room, and makes the rest of the (all-white) house pop.”

The agent says: Unlike many older Toronto houses, this 21-year-old townhome is “generous” in size and fully updated, says sales rep Daniel Bloch of Bloch Real Estate Team. At just over $1.3 million, it’s priced attractively considering all the upgrades the sellers have done, he says. “There’s a lot of room for real estate value to grow here,” says Bloch, who notes its investment potential and suitability as a multi-generational residence.

Highlights include:

Large finished room on lower level suitable as a bedroom, den or home office

Direct access to garage and three parking spaces

Close to major highways

Shopping, dining and cultural options within walking distance.

While the house itself is outstanding, it’s further enriched by the locale, according to the owners. “It’s about the whole neighbourhood,” according to Brown, who explains the “intimate and private” pocket is populated by a close-knit, sociable community. It’s also “central to so many things,” say the couple, who note there’s even a TTC community bus to take residents around.

With their needs and circumstances changing, the family is saying a sad farewell to neighbours and moving on.

Listing Broker: Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. (Daniel Bloch & Liora Tal)

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National Post: What It Went For: $1.355 Million

National Post

March 16, 2024

By Connie Adair



Mount Pleasant West


88 Broadway Ave PH 2002
(Yonge Street & Eglinton Avenue)


Asking price: $1,399,900
Sold for: $1,355,000
Taxes: $6,243 (2023)
Bedrooms: 2+1
Bathrooms: 3
Square footage: 1,485
Garage: 2
Days on the market: 67


This top-floor corner suite offers a desir­able split-plan lay­out (bed­ rooms on either side of the liv­ing space) with three walkouts as well as abund­ ant stor­ age with mul­ tiple walk-in closets and a locker,” says list­ing agent Liora Tal.

“When one thinks of the pent­house level, they often ima­ gine being very high in the sky,” says co-list­ing agent Daniel Bloch. “This feels more like a boutique build­ ing with only 22 levels.”

Tal says, “The condo real estate mar­ket was exper­i­en­cing a slight down­ward shift in demand dur­ing our list­ing period, however we were uniquely posi­tioned as one of only a hand­ful of units in this size and price point in the city’s core. We had a steady num­ber of show­ings and two offers.”

“The condo under­ went a soph­ist­ic­ated renov­a­tion by the owner,” Bloch says. “The eat-in kitchen has gour­met European appli­ances and extra pantry space. It’s ideal for host­ing a large event, yet feels intim­ate enough for weeknight din­ners.”

The foyer has a closet and the primary bed­room has his-and-hers closets and a walkout to a bal­cony. The second bed­room has a walk-in closet. A sep­ar­ate den, a four-piece bath­room with a soaker tub and a laun­dry room with a walk-in closet are other high­lights.

“Those downs­iz­ing from a lar­ger home, given its gen­er­ous scale and num­ber of bed­rooms, were among those inter­ested in the suite", says Tal.

“A sprawl­ing and open-concept liv­ing/enter­tain­ing space and king-sized primary bed­room means you can bring your exist­ing fur­nish­ings with you,” Bloch says.

“The sep­ar­ate home office/den eas­ily trans­forms into a third bed­ room when grandkids come to visit.”

The build­ing, con­struc­ted in 2009, has recently ren­ov­ated com­mon areas. Amen­it­ies include a 24-hour con­ ci­erge, an indoor pool, a gym and a land­scaped ninth-floor ter­race with a water foun­tain.

“Yonge and Eglin­ton is ideal for those seek­ing to live in an excit­ing hub of activ­ity and entertain­ment, with end­less shops and res­taur­ants at your door­step,” he says.

“New buildings are pop­ping up con­stantly. You have dir­ect links to down­town, with prom­ise of unlim­ited city access with the near-com­ple­tion of the Eglin­ton LRT.”

List­ing Broker: Har­vey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. (Liora Tal and Daniel Bloch)

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National Post: What It Went For: $1.715 Million

National Post

September 30, 2023

By Connie Adair


Cabbagetown/South St-James Town


413 Ontario St

(Parliament & Gerrard streets)

Asking price: $1,399,900
Sold for: $1,715,000
Taxes: $7,582 (2023)
Bedrooms: 2+2
Bathrooms: 3
Square footage: 1,800
Garage: 1
Days on the market: 6


‘We had two exceptionally busy open houses, a healthy number of showings and five offers,” says listing agent Liora Tal. “A wide variety of buyers came to see this home from move-up condo dwellers to first-time homebuyers to empty nesters looking to downsize from a larger family home. We also noticed that the listing had many views online from outside of the country; likely from people who are seeking to call Toronto home soon.”

Co-listing agent Daniel Bloch says, “The house was constructed in 1979, part of a row of five townhomes with a facade that closely mimics the style of the Victorian Bay and Gable houses that surround it.” The two-plus-two bedroom, three-bathroom home is an end unit and is deceiving from the outside, Tal says. “This home lives large on the interior yet has a cosy feeling with special features such as the wood-burning fireplace in the sunken living room. It combines all of the best elements of design and a spectacular amount of natural light from multiple skylights.”

The primary retreat spans the entire top floor and has its own living room, sun deck, skylights and wall of custom closets. The ensuite bathroom has an oversized steam shower and heated floors. Another highlight is a loft office space. The lower level has a recreation room and a bathroom/laundry room. In addition to guest space, this area could be used as a recreation room or home gym.

To prepare for the sale, Tal and Bloch say they worked with the seller and a team of professional trades to have the kitchen cabinets and some appliances replaced and the hardwood floors refinished. “The entire house was painted in a crisp white hue. We then staged in a style to appeal to a wide variety of tastes, while staying true to the home’s urban but historic location,” Bloch says.

“I love any combination of ‘beauty meets function and easy-maintenance’. The landscaped backyard offers a Zen-like oasis of calm when you are craving a peaceful escape. An irrigation system takes care of the watering.” The 16x122-foot property also offers a covered parking space.


Listing Broker: Harvey Kalles Real Estate (Liora Tal and Daniel Bloch)

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National Post: What It Went For: $1.42 Million

National Post

July 8, 2023

By Connie Adair

South Riverdale


1 Marigold Ave.
(Leslie Street and Eastern Avenue)

Asking price: $1.099 million
Sold for: $1.42 million
Taxes: $3,988 (2022)
Bedrooms: 3+1
Bathrooms: 3
Square footage: 1,146
Carport: 1
Parking: 2
Days on the market: 2


Listed for $1.099 million. Sold for $1.42 million in two days with one bully offer. It seems the buyer really wanted this house. “Homes in this pocket have generally been selling quickly and for over asking price,” says listing agent Liora Tal.

Co-listing agent Daniel Bloch says this home “offers all of the ‘must haves’ as well as the ‘would be nice to haves’ such as a main-floor powder room, a renovated open-plan interior and a finished lower level with its own entrance.”

The 1,146-square-foot semi has two main features, Tal says. The first is three bathrooms. The second is a main-floor mudroom and laundry area that separates the lower level from the rest of the home. “It’s an ideal shared space if you intend to use the basement as a secondary suite. And even if you don’t, not having to go downstairs to wash your clothes is a huge perk.” It was a bonus for buyers to find this property, Bloch says, because “homes in this price point often still come with a long list of repairs or renovations.”

Tal says, “We listed it right after the long weekend in order to be the first property to hit buyers’ inboxes on the Tuesday morning. Our first showing was scheduled within an hour of it going to MLS.”

More than two dozen showings were booked and they planned to have an open house on the weekend. However, the home sold firm on the Thursday before, Bloch says. “This is the perfect home for either first-time home-buyers or young families, with ample room to grow and offering income potential on the lower level.”

The 26×45-foot property is “close to and easily connected to the city’s core, yet you get the feeling of living in a small town with friendly neighbours who feel like family,” Tal says. The south-facing fully fenced backyard is ideal for hosting a barbecue or for working on a project under the carport. A landscape architect planned the hardscaping, fencing and plantings, she says. Having two parking spaces, a rare feature in the east end, is another highlight.


Listing Broker: Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. (Daniel Bloch and Liora Tal)


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National Post: What It Went For: $2,150,000

National Post

July 9, 2022

By Connie Adair

Vaughan

30 Miriam Garden Way
(Bathurst and Centre streets)

Asking price: $1,988,800
Sold for: $2,150,000
Taxes: $7,919 (2021)
Bedrooms: 4+1
Bathrooms: 5
Square footage: approximately 3,400
Garage: 2
Parking: 2
Days on the market: 6

“The original owners, who bought from the builder over 25 years ago, have enjoyed this home, raising their three boys and hosting huge fund- raisers over Halloween with displays all around the house as it is a corner lot. This has brought the neighbourhood together,” says listing agent Daniel Bloch. “Their boys have grown up and it is time for them to move to their next home.”

There were multiple offers to purchase, says co-listing agent Liora Tal. “We had a fair amount of interest. Many people really liked the upgrades and automation,” including remote blinds on the main floor and a remote awning in the backyard.

The home, built in 1997, offers approximately 3,400 square feet of bright living space. It was originally a five-bedroom floor plan but was converted into four bed-
rooms. Each bedroom has a large closet and an ensuite bathroom, something that potential buyers appreciated. The primary suite has his-and-her closets and a six-piece ensuite bathroom with a soaker tub.

A custom main-floor re- model includes a newer kitchen, floors, windows and doors and a staircase with a skylight above. The steel-and-glass staircase and high doors are features of the foyer, which Tal describes as “striking.”

Bloch says the eat-in chef’s kitchen has a six-burner gas range, an ultra-quiet vent hood and dishwasher, and a hidden pantry. The family room has a gas fireplace and a view of the backyard, which has seasonal blooms and mature trees. About $100,000 was spent on landscaping.

A second kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a three-piece bathroom and a recreation room with a gas fireplace and built-in speakers are lower-level high-
lights. “It’s the perfect space for kids’ parties and movie nights around the fireplace,” Bloch says.

The property was also of interest to “families wanting to get into this fantastic neighbourhood,” he says. “It has many schools and a park, along with excellent proximity to other amenities.” Shopping, dining and highways 7 and 407 are near-
by.

It’s in Beverley Glen, a neighbourhood that offers public, French immersion and Catholic schools and is also close to Westmount Collegiate, says Tal. “It’s an excellent family area with well-built homes.”

Listing Broker: Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. (Daniel Bloch and Liora Tal)

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National Post: What It Went For: $825,000

National Post

May 7, 2022

By Connie Adair

Lansing-Westgate

131 Beecroft Rd. #605
(Yonge Street
and Sheppard Avenue)

Asking price: $799,900
Sold for: $825,000
Taxes: $3,098 (2021)
Monthly fee: $1,308
Bedrooms: 2+1
Bathrooms: 2
Square footage: 1,540
Parking: 1
Days on the market: 6

When it was built in 1982, it was one of the area’s first condominiums and many residents have lived here for over 30 years, so there’s a sense of community, says listing agent Liora Tal. “The building is quiet, safe and particularly well-managed, offering world-class services and amenities.”

“We felt it would appeal to someone coming out of a larger home looking to simplify their life without compromising space and with the ability to maintain an active lifestyle,” says co-listing agent Daniel Bloch. “The larger principal rooms can easily accommodate furnishing from a family home, which makes it an easy transition from freehold to condo living.”

The agents say the 1,540-square-foot suite has a penthouse feel. It has a formal foyer with a private attached storage room, an entertainment wing and a primary bedroom suite that can accommodate two king-sized beds. This retreat has a dressing room, a walk-in closet and a renovated en-suite bathroom with a tub and walk-in shower, Bloch says.

Tal says, “The original floor plan was opened up to accommodate a modern kitchen that is larger than found in many houses.” It features Italian porcelain flooring, quartz countertops, stone mosaic backsplash and an island with a breakfast bar.

“This building offers an all-inclusive lifestyle with club-like amenities including valet parking for owners and guests, indoor pool, racket sports and basketball courts, a Japanese garden, landscaped resident terraces with barbecues, a library and two large event spaces. The monthly maintenance fee covers all utilities plus cable, internet and home phone.”

As well, says Tal, “The building is surrounded by its own extensive and professionally maintained green space….The two-level lobby is attractively furnished and staffed with a concierge and a valet 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Listing Broker: Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. (Liora Tal and Daniel Bloch)

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National Post: What It Went For: $1,650,000

National Post

September 25, 2021

By Connie Adair

Markham

240 Green Lane (Leslie and John Streets)

Asking price: $1,499,900
Sold for: $1,650,000
Taxes: $7,350 (2020)
Bedrooms: 4+2
Bathrooms: 4
Square Footage: about 3,000
Garage: 2
Parking: 4
Days on the market: 10

“We had healthy amount of interest on this home as more and more people are looking to buy in Markham and York Region,” says listing agent Daniel Bloch. “We had six offers.”


The 50×121-foot property is close to parks, including Maple Valley, Franklin Carmichael, Summerdale and German Mills Settlers. Highways 7, 404 and 407 are also nearby. It’s in the Bayview Glen school district. He says, “It’s close to great schools and good walking trails.”


The approximately 3,000-square-foot brick home has an eat-in kitchen with a walkout to a mature garden and new deck; a main-floor powder/laundry room; and direct access to the garage.


Double front doors open on to a foyer with a mirrored closet. Other main-floor features include an open-concept living room, a separate dining room and a family room with a fireplace and pot lights.


The primary suite has a walk-in closet and a four-piece ensuite bathroom. The partially finished lower level, which has a recreation room and a bedroom, has plenty of work and play space.


The house was built around the end of the 1980s and is mostly original. “The new owner will be about to put their personal touches on it. It has updated windows and mechanicals throughout. The seller enjoyed the home for more than 25 years,” says co-listing agent Liora Tal. “There’s a special room for everyone in the family. The house has good feng shui (and it has a) generous layout with lots of bathrooms and is very bright.”


The home appealed to families who wanted a four-bedroom home with a yard and a two-car garage. The private driveway has space to park four cars.


Listing Broker: Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. (Daniel Bloch and Liora Tal)

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Toronto Star Home Of The Week: This $2.2 Million Heritage Home Offers Modern Living

Toronto Star

September 21, 2021

By Allison Harness

Cabbagetown

356 Wellesley St E (Parliament & Wellesley Streets)

Asking price: $2,199,900
Size: about 1,646 sq. ft., plus 823 sq. ft. finished basement
Lot: 18-by-100 feet, no garage, lane drive with one parking space
Taxes: $6,992 (2020)
Bedrooms: 2 plus 1
Bathrooms: 3

 

This two-storey, detached heritage home originally built in 1859 is on a corner lot with a courtyard buffering it from the street. It features a renovated interior with 10-foot main-floor ceilings, three skylights, a spacious kitchen with an exposed brick wall and large marble island, and a lower level in-law suite with a separate entrance and laundry facilities.

“In 2011, I came across this house with its welcoming front courtyard garden, handsome brickwork and an elegant slate mansard roof. The process of restoring and renovating this century home involved the City of Toronto’s Heritage department as the home’s character needed to be preserved and restored as part of the planned extensive renovation,” said homeowner Leonard Wise.

“This involved restorations of the historic brickwork, slate roof and remastering all the windows and doors to the same period,” said Wise.

“One of my most favourite aspects of my home is its setting with its formal English front garden with herringbone pattern bricks, boxwood hedges, and a stunning magnolia tree creating a relaxing feeling, and on the back deck I’ve often enjoyed outdoor dining with views of the famous Wellesley Workers Cottages,” he added.

The house is a short walk to restaurants, shopping, public transit, Rosedale Ravine Lands, Riverdale Farm, parks, schools and has easy access to the Don Valley Pkwy.

“Gutted back to the studs, all of the mechanics have been upgraded including the plumbing, ductwork, electrical wiring and soundproofing,” said listing agent Daniel Bloch. “A clear sightline reveals a contemporary open concept main floor, ideal for hosting big or small gatherings.”

This stately residence features a red brick façade with stonework around the windows, and a front courtyard with gardens, interlocking walkways and a wrought-iron gate.

The front door opens to a foyer with stone tile floor, crown moulding, and a closet.

Next to the foyer is the living room with a hardwood floor, crown moulding, integrated speakers, two windows, pot light, and a gas fireplace with a stone surround.

The adjoining dining room is appointed with a hardwood floor, crown moulding, a pendant light fixture and pot lights.

Highlights of the chef’s kitchen include a large, marble waterfall-style centre island/breakfast bar with chrome pendant lights, an exposed brick wall with floating shelves, built-in stainless appliances, Caesarstone counters, a stainless steel backsplash, crown moulding, a pantry, a hardwood floor, and double garden-door walkout flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows.

The second floor hall features a skylight and the primary bedroom showcases a hardwood floor, two windows with California shutters, a walk-in closet with organizers, and a three-piece ensuite with skylight.

The second bedroom includes a hardwood floor, two windows, integrated ceiling speakers and a closet. A four-piece bathroom with a skylight completes this floor.

The finished lower level in-law suite has a living room with two closets and a laminate floor. It also includes a galley kitchen with stainless appliances, a bedroom with laminate floor, pot lights and a closet, and a three-piece bathroom, a laundry area and a walkout.

There is a larger laundry room accessed by the main home and which opens to the apartment.

The fenced backyard features a deck, a patio/parking pad, and a shed.

Listing Broker: Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. (Daniel Bloch, Liora Tal & Corinne Kalles)

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National Post: Cabbagetown Renaissance Draws Interest

National Post

May 7, 2021

By Connie Adair

Cabbagetown

409 Carlton Street (Carlton and Sumach streets)

Asking price: $2,199,900
Sold for: $2,595,000
Bedrooms: 3+1
Bathrooms: 4
Square footage: 2,500
Garage: 0
Days on the market: 8

“Cabbagetown has had an incredible renaissance in terms of demand from buyers this year,” says listing agent Liora Tal. “It’s a wonderfully vibrant neighbourhood that’s caught the attention of people who want to live downtown yet within a community with a small town feel. This area, unique in the density of original buildings and the general quality of restoration, presents a rare view of a past era that acts perfectly as a backdrop in today’s modern world.”

This renovated 2,500-square-foot home, built in 1887, is on a 17×90-foot lot on a cobblestone street and faces Riverdale Park.

“It appealed to many types of buyers from young couples to downsizers. With the basement having a separate entrance and kitchenette, it made sense for both people who will benefit from the extra income or those with looking to house visiting family from out of town.”

The best feature, says co-listing agent Daniel Bloch, is its “indoor/outdoor living experience with its front garden overlooking the park and the brand new private south-facing deck.”

The Victorian home was renovated between 2019 and 2020. Tal says, “Visitors are impressed by the owner’s art collection but what’s so immediately striking is all of the intact period detail from the handsome brickwork and bay window to the corbels, arches, ceiling medallions and other architectural plasterwork. Equally as wonderful are the two matching gas fireplaces set against exposed brick, one each in the living and dining room, and the oversized Swarovski crystal chandeliers.”

Bloch says, “When the current owners acquired the home, it had three 1950s-style kitchens, one of which was inside the primary bedroom. Our clients lovingly transformed this home with an innate understanding and appreciation of period architecture.”

Listing Broker: Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. (Liora Tal and Daniel Bloch)

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National Post: What It Went For: $1.15 Million

National Post

April 10, 2021

By Connie Adair

Rosedale

300 Bloor Street East #2910 (Bloor Street & Mount Pleasant Road)

Asking price: $1,150,000
Sold for: $1,150,000
Bedrooms: 1+1
Bathrooms: 2
Square footage: 1,067
Garage: 1
Days on the market: 17

For many years The Bellagio attracted “mostly retired folks or downsizers, but in recent years it has been growing families who are attracted to the building for its spacious units, outstanding amenities and pool, but most importantly its proximity to top-rated schools in the area,” says listing agent Daniel Bloch.

Suite 2910, a designer’s and architect’s city home, was originally a two-bedroom unit. It appeals to singles or couples who don’t need an extra bedroom but want a larger space perfect for entertaining, says co-listing agent Liora Tal.

The neutral living space has walls of glass the offer light and views. Tal says, “The best features of this unit are the open-concept plan and amazing four-season views of the Rosedale Valley.”

The renovated gourmet kitchen has quartz countertops, dark cabinetry and a stainless steel vent and appliances. The living/dining room has hardwood floors. The home office fits into a dining room nook.

The main four-piece bathroom has a soaker tub. The king-sized retreat bedroom has a walk-in closet and a three-piece ensuite bathroom with a large tiled glass shower. The foyer is outfitted with marble flooring and the closet has custom organizers. There is also an updated laundry closet.

The large private balcony is ideal for morning coffee and serene sunsets, Bloch says. It has northwest a view. The suite comes with one underground parking spot.

Building amenities include a 24-hour concierge, an indoor saltwater pool, a sauna, a gym, guest suites, parking for visitors and an automated mail room.

“The current owners decided to leave the city, like many others,” Tal says. The Bellagio is close to Yorkville, restaurants, shops and two subway stations.

Listing Broker: Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. (Liora Tal and Daniel Bloch)

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