1880s cottage transformed into light-filled house
The galley kitchen has quartz counters, stainless appliances and a built-in breakfast bar. A spacious second-floor study has barn-style pocket entry doors, a vaulted ceiling and two windows. The living room features floor-to-ceiling windows, pot lights, l
HARBORD VILLAGE
Location: 281 Brunswick Ave., Bloor Street West and Spadina Avenue
Asking price: $1,650,000 Size: About 1,700 sq. ft., plus about 350 sq. ft. unfinished basement Lot: 17-by-119 feet, no garage, back lane with one parking space Taxes: $7,218 (2019) Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Originally an 1880s worker’s cottage, this two-storey semidetached has undergone major renovations and two additions. It now features vaulted ceilings, quartz counters, hardwood floors, recessed lights, a skylight and large windows throughout.
“Living in this house is very peaceful; the living room feels at one with the front garden, while the master bedroom is like being in a tree house. For an urban Victorian-era home, it has lots of light in every room,” homeowner Gail Misra said of the house just south of the Annex neighbourhood.
“The architecture of the contemporary addition on the front of the house is superb,” Misra said, adding it has “successfully melded the old original structure with the glass, wood and metal addition.”
“The location is excellent as we are close to two subway lines and have so many great restaurants close by on Harbord Street, Bloor Street West and College Street,” Misra added.
As well, Kensington Market, the University of Toronto main campus, shopping and several hospitals are a walk away.
“Diamond Schmitt Architects designed the expansion of this single-storey worker’s cottage into a two-storey, metalclad structure with many windows.
Filled with natural light and a kitchen that overlooks the back garden, is a very manageably sized, compact contemporary home that would be perfect for a single owner or a couple,” says listing agent Paul Maranger.
This slender, two-storey contemporary home has a deep front yard with a pathway leading to the main entrance under a covered porch at the side of the house.
The residence has a parking space in the back lane.
Inside, the foyer and hall feature a ceramic-tile floor, pot lights and two closets.
On one side of the foyer, facing the front yard, the living room has a hardwood floor, floor-toceiling windows, pot lights, a floating shelf and a linear floating cabinet with shelves.
The dining room features a hardwood floor, a contemporary pendant light, pot lights, a window overlooking the porch, a picture window overlooking the front yard and built-in ceiling speakers.
Highlights of the galley kitchen include a hardwood floor, quartz counters, glass tile backsplash, a double sink, tin crown moulding and decorative ceiling, and built-in stainless steel appliances, including a sixburner glass cooktop. There is also a double door pantry, wallmounted speakers, and an eatin area for two with a built-in breakfast bar, a window and a garden door walkout to the back deck. A powder room completes this floor.
The second-floor master bedroom has a hardwood floor, a large picture window spanning the width of the wall, a vaulted ceiling, track lights and a ceiling fan, a skylight, plus two double closets and another window with built-in bench beneath.
Down one hallway is a threepiece bathroom, a linen closet and a small office with a hardwood floor and a window. Doors from the office open to a laundry area.
Another long hall — or bridge — with many large windows connects the old worker’s cottage to the new front addition. In it is a large second bedroom, or study, with pocket barn-style entry doors, a hardwood floor, a vaulted ceiling, built-in shelves and drawers, built-in speakers, a ceiling fan, pot lights and large windows.
The basement is unfinished. The fenced backyard features a long, tiered deck.
To have a look at this property contact listing agents Paul Maranger and Christian Vermast, Sotheby’s International Realty, Brokerage, 416-960-9995; paulandchristianassociates.com.
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 cannot guarantee features as listed. Please contact the realtor. To make a submission to Home of the Week, email soldhome@rogers.com.