A slice of country on pie-shaped lot in the city
Large North York property with own toboggan hill, sauna feels like a cottage getaway
Location: 1 Geraldine Crt., Underhill Dr. and Lawrence Ave. E. Asking price: $1,729,000 Size: About 3,300 square feet, plus 1,545-square-foot finished basement Lot: 32 by 239 feet, irregular lot, built-in two-car garage, private drive, in-ground pool Taxes: $5,747 (2014) Bedrooms: 5 plus 1 Bathrooms: 4 Near the shops of Don Mills, situated on a quiet cul-de-sac on a pie-shaped ravine lot with a large backyard with a salt water pool, a hot tub, a change room and a cabana with a bar, this five-bedroom, two-storey detached family house comes complete with a fully renovated lower level.
“We have lived in the house for about12 years now. Having grown up in the neighbourhood, we knew that the house was once considered the ‘jewel in the crown’ of this premium street, but had begun to show its age and a lack of attention,” says owner Christopher Cowan. “We bought it knowing we still had our work cut out for us and set about to restore it to its former glory.
“The house has huge principal rooms, a great flow and there are many separate outdoor living areas. The enormous property even has its own toboggan hill with room for an ice rink and a cedar sauna to warm up in afterwards. We love that we can feel like we’re up in Muskoka in our own backyard, yet still drive to the heart of downtown Toronto in about 15 minutes.”
The home, says listing agent Cindy Daly, is part of a growing community for families of all ages. “The neighbourhood even has street-organized festivities throughout the year.
“The home is light and airy with a main-floor laundry, family room and sun room, all within view of the chef’s kitchen. The front view of the home is quite deceiving, as it is a 35-foot frontage. However, the size of the house and the outdoor space is much larger,” adds Daly.
With plenty of curb appeal, this stucco home boasts a long driveway that leads to the two-car built-in garage. It has a ceramic tile roof, a long interlocking brick pathway to the front entrance, many mature trees, professional landscaping, wrought iron fencing, an arched main entrance and a double French door front walkout to a small balcony.
The interlocking brick pathway leads to the main entrance with a covered porch. The foyer features a ceramic-tile floor, a closet and powder room with a slate floor.
One step down from the foyer and through double French doors is the sunken living room featuring a wood-burning fireplace with a custom mantle and marble surround, California shutters, two large picture windows, a hardwood floor and double French doors that open to a front-facing balcony.
Up one step from the living room is the dining room with a hardwood floor, California shutters, a double window and paned glass door that opens to the kitchen.
Features of note in the kitchen include a movable centre island with cabinetry, quartz countertops, cabinets with glass fronts, a double window over the sink, California shutters and stainless steel high-end appliances, hardwood floor, pot lights, and ceramic tile backsplash.
Adjoining the kitchen is the large breakfast room with a double sliding glass door walkout that opens to a side patio. Open to the breakfast room is the family room, boasting a custom-built brick gas fireplace, a hardwood floor with an adjoining sunroom with three double windows and California shutters.
The main level has an office with built-in bookshelves, wainscotting, a hardwood floor and a picture window with California shutters.
Accessed from the foyer or family room, the main-floor mud room has three coat closets. As well, there is a full-sized laundry room with lots of cupboard and counter space, a ceramic tile floor and a double window.
The second-floor hall has a skylight and a walk-in closet.
Highlights of the master bedroom include two walk-in closets, two large picture windows with California shutters, a hardwood floor and a three-piece ensuite with a double shower. The second, third and fourth bedrooms all have double mirrored closets, picture windows with California shutters and hardwood floors.
The main upstairs bathroom is a four-piece with a two-way window opening that overlooks the pool, a custom vanity, double sinks and a granite counter.
A huge private roof terrace is accessed from the second floor hall, which overlooks the pool area.
On the lower level is a recreation room with a custom-built floor-toceiling brick gas fireplace, a storage closet, a wet bar, pot lights, a laminate floor and a double sliding glass door walkout to the backyard. The games room features a laminate floor, two storage rooms and track lights.
There is an additional guest bedroom in the basement and a threepiece bathroom that joins with a cedar-dry sauna.
The huge backyard is professionally landscaped with a gated pool, a gazebo, cabana, bar, sliding barn doors, a change room, hot tub, an interlocking brick patio, many mature trees and plenty of green space. To have a look at this property contact listing agents Cindy Daly and Carole Hall, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Johnston & Daniel Division, Brokerage, 416-482-2121; cindydaly.ca.