What It Went For

‘Beautiful, warm, full-of-personality home’ goes for $3.925 million

Trinity Bellwoods

53 Argyle St. (Ossington Avenue and Queen Street West) Asking price: $4.2 million Sold for: $3.925 million Taxes: $8,868 (20168) Parking: 2 Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 5

Square footage: 4,477 Days on the market: 106

This Trinity Bellwoods home, which comes with an exclusive courtyard, was originally a community centre, says listing agent Marta Pozniakowski.

It was built in 1933 as an office building for a community relief organization, says homeowner Ilona Zaremba. And it’s had a few incarnations since then.

In the early 1960s it was bought by a man who ran an Italian bakery there. And in the 1970s, it was purchased by another charitable organization.

Ilona and Peter Zaremba bought the house in 2004. “The children were growing, I needed an independent art studio and Peter a bigger office for his work, so it seemed a perfect fit,” says the artist, who creates contemporary and pop art.

The couple did all of the renovations themselves over a five- year period, Pozniakowski says. “It was a family life project to create a home out of a building that had been used as an office.

“There were small offices and rooms on each floor,” she says. “They demolished all the walls to create this stunning open space.”

The owners preserved some of the details of the community centre, including an information booth and an elevator. A hidden bunker on the lower level is used as storage.

Painted, resin- covered flooring is featured on the lower level. Glass marbles embedded in the floor here and in various places around the house “add an exotic flavour to the interior,” Pozniakowski says.

Over the years, the couple has “created a beautiful, warm, full- of- personality home.”

Features of the live/work residence include two staircases, one a striking open design, lit by multiple skylights. There’s an open living space that includes a Juliet balcony off the family room. And the kitchen has granite counters.

The couple has filled the home with art. Friends dubbed the home Zaremba’s Trap, because once you come in you won’t want to leave, Pozniakowski says. “It’s a magical place. It has been a hub for local artists, filmmakers and musicians.”

The home was put on the market in November. An offer fell through and it was relisted in December.

“We had two, very strong, interested parties,” Pozniakowski says. “The clients sold to a buyer that is going to keep the house as a single residential home for the family.”

Listing Broker: Remax Condos Plus Corporation (Marta Pozniakowski)