Historic house has a moving history
ETOBICOKE
Location: 85 Yorkleigh Ave., Royal York Rd. and Lawrence Ave. W. Asking price: $2,650,000
Size: about 4,000 sq. ft., including finished basement
Lot: 47-by-170 feet, two-car attached garage, private drive with parking for up to eight cars
Taxes: $7,200 (2018)
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
This heritage, mid-1800s farmhouse, known as Llewelyn Hill, was originally built in Etobicoke’s Thistletown neighbourhood, in the Islington Ave. and Albion Rd. area. It was dismantled and rebuilt about seven kilometres southeast, at its current Yorkleigh address, in 1956.
The 1 1 ⁄ -storey, detached house sits on 2 a 1 1 ⁄-acre, landscaped and ravine lot 2 with a 170-foot driveway. It features wood-beamed ceilings, three woodburning fireplaces, a loft and a stone sunroom.
“The lush ravine and perennial beds ensure that our secluded property is constantly full of birds and other wildlife, no matter the season,” homeowner Jain McMillan says.
“We spend countless hours relaxing on the front porch in the summer. In the fall and winter months, we spend many evenings by the cosy fireplaces. … On occasion, we enjoy cooking on the large hearth in the kitchen the way the pioneers who originally built this historic kitchen must have done,” McMillan says.
The home is walking distance to several parks and the Humber River Recreational Trail. It is close to schools, a shopping plaza, restaurants, a grocery store, retail shops and businesses, and the Lambton Golf and Country Club.
It has easy access to Highways 401 and 400, as well as Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
“The detailed measures taken by the owners in order to preserve the integrity of the original home are impressive, as the home maintains its charm and mystique,” listing agent Mara Bossio says.
Original, maintained features include the stone exterior, foyer, sunroom, windows, window frames, doors, trim and hardwood floors. The roof, plumbing and electrical are new.
This English-style country home has flagstone walkways to two entrances, a large covered front porch and a two-car attached garage. There are many stone walkways, sitting areas, gardens and mature trees throughout the large landscaped front lawn.
The front foyer features white, painted, wood panelling, a stone tile floor, double closet, wood beam ceiling and an antique-style chandelier.
Three steps up lead to the main living level and a living room with double, wooden entry doors beneath a transom window, a hardwood floor, woodbeamed ceiling, four large windows, and a wood-burning fireplace with a stonewall surround and a wood-beam mantle.
The separate dining room is also spacious and is outfitted with two windows, a hardwood floor, and a wood-burning fireplace bordered by floor-to-ceiling, built-in wood cabinetry.
The large country kitchen showcases a black-and-white tile floor, an antique chandelier, wainscotting, a wood-burning fireplace bordered by cabinetry, a wood-beamed ceiling, pot lights, two windows and a walkout to the front of the home.
Off the living room, the four-season sunroom features an exposed stone wall, a stone floor, a sloping glass ceiling and two walls of windows overlooking the backyard.
The master bedroom has a hardwood floor, two windows with California shutters and two double closets.
The second bedroom features a hardwood floor, two windows and a built-in dresser between two single closets.
A four-piece bathroom completes this floor.
Steps from the kitchen lead to the loftlevel third bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, two windows, a wood floor, a closet and built-in shelves.
In the basement is a room with a herringbone-pattern, brick tile floor and a gas fireplace, a large laundry room with a ceramic-tile floor and a walkout. There is also a storage room with built-in shelves and a three-piece bathroom on this level.
The backyard features large trees, gardens and lawn space.
To have a look at this property contact listing agent Mara Bossio, Royal LePage Terrequity Realty, Brokerage, 416-2315000; royallepage.ca.
Home of the Week is written by freelance contributor Allison Harness, a Toronto-based real estate writer. Although we try to provide the most up-to-date information available, we can’t guarantee features as listed. Please contact the realtor. To make a submission to Home of the Week, email soldhome@rogers.com.