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

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)