What goes on in there?
A west-end gem lovingly reinvented as the Darling Mansion offers opulent space for film shoots and lavish soirees
If you’ve ever had brunch at Luna or mojitos at Julie’s Cuban on Dovercourt Rd., chances are you’ve spotted the out-of-place mansion on the corner that meets Mackenzie Cres. One of the largest homes in the area, it’s a storybook tangle of ivy-covered red brick, sculptured balconies and ornate gardens. And up until recently, it was starting to look decrepit.
The neglected property was originally listed in late 2013 at an outrageous $3.3 million, where it sat on the market for months and was relisted several times. Finally, in November 2014, Tanya Grossi, a then 40-year-old bar owner and entrepreneur, purchased the place for $1.85 million with two investors.
Her ambitious vision to transform the magnificent 6,000-square-foot estate into her primary residence, a creative event space and a bed and breakfast took only four months to realize.
“It’s been a labour of love,” says Grossi, who ran the recently closed Parkdale bar Salvador Darling. “I was enamoured with this property 20 years ago when I lived up the street and to live here now and be the ‘madam’ of this place is surreal.”
Since opening last April, the Darling Mansion, as it’s now known, has been growing busier with private bookings and overnight guests, mainly through word of mouth and social media.
Several artists live in residence on the third floor, including photographer Mark Maryanovich, who was recently hired by the Governor General of Canada to photograph 100 Canadian musicians for Canada’s sesquicentennial in 2017.
The Canadian web series Carmilla, Peter Lynch’s soon-to-be-released film Birdland and a video for local musician SATE have all used the quirky rooms of the home as a backdrop. Celebs with a certain level of street cred have also graced the manor. Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush hosted a private dinner there during last year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
On the second floor, Grossi rents out four large bedrooms, lavishly decorated with her collection of unusual antiques and artwork. Rooms start at $99 per night or $2,000 a night for the first two floors. Besides a meal and a mattress, Darling guests have access to the essentials: kimonos, hula hoop and a tickle trunk.
“It’s been a labour of love . . . (to) be the ‘madam’ of this place is surreal.” TANYA GROSSI DARLING MANSION OWNER