HOME OF THE WEEK
Extensive yard is perfect for hosting gatherings both large and small
A century schoolhouse in Whitchurch-Stouffville that’s been refurbished to include an in-law suite and three rental apartments is listed for sale at $3 million. In the main residence, the ground floor has 11-foot ceilings, a spacious kitchen with walkout to deck. The second storey includes a master retreat with cast-iron gas fireplace, plus two other bedrooms and a great room. As well, the nearly two-acre property includes a six-car garage.
WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE Location: 13681Ninth Line, Bloomington Rd. and Ninth Line Asking price: $2,999,900 Size: about 7,040 sq. ft. total living space Lot: 202-by-383 feet, six-car detached garage, private drive, inground pool Taxes: $7,407 (2017) Bedrooms: 7 Bathrooms: 7 Built in 1898, this former red brick schoolhouse has been refurbished and enlarged to include an in-law suite and three rental apartments and now boasts five separate kitchens.
“Throughout our six years of living here, we’ve enjoyed customizing our home, blending ‘school-era’ elements such as doors and lighting, with industrial elements and custom trim throughout,” says the home’s owner, Brenda Junkin. “With large decks on all sides of the home, we never tire of the many views.
“Having self-contained apartments, each with separate and private entrances, is among our favourite features of this home. We make great use of our backyard, including the in-ground pool. In 2016, we built two ‘Hugelkultur’ gardens, constructed with beautiful two-inch reclaimed barn stall boards, elevating our food gardens for better crops,” Junkin adds.
“This home is around10 minutes by car to Hwys. 404 and 407 and less than five minutes north of the old Main St. Stouffville shops, restaurants, as well grocery stores, schools, art galleries, a library and many other day-to-day amenities,” listing agent Reine Schickedanz says. “With an extensive yard with a fenced pool, and plenty of indoor space, this home and property is perfect for entertaining large and small groups. This home is unique and full of charm.”
The original L-shaped, red-brick schoolhouse — complete with steeple — faces the road. The main house is set back and features double entry doors with glass inserts and large transom windows, a covered wraparound porch and dormer windows. The landscaped large front lawn has garden beds and mature trees, an interlocking brick walkway and a long private double drive leading to the detached six-car garage. The entire property is fenced.
Inside, the main floor ceilings are 11 feet throughout. The front foyer has a ceiling fan, ceramic tile floor and an antique school water fountain. A few steps lead up o the main floor with a ceramic tile hall.
Beside the hall and overlooking the foyer is a small living room or sitting area with a hardwood floor, three pendant lights, a wrought iron rail, a partial large-brick wall and a passthrough to the kitchen.
Renovated, the spacious kitchen has plenty of cupboards, pot lights, a double sink, stainless steel applianc- es and a garden door walkout to a side deck.
The dining room is outfitted with a slate tile floor, track lights, a pendant light, cupboards and cabinetry, handcrafted walnut counters, a farm-style sink, as well as built-in storage. There is a main floor den or day room that overlooks the front porch from a span of seven-foot-high windows. As well, the main floor has a powder room.
A grand oak staircase leads to the second level where there is a 750square-foot great room with a vault- ed ceiling, hardwood floor, custom trim work, moulding and wainscotting, ceiling fans and four tall dormer windows.
Also on the second floor are three bedrooms. Highlights of the master bedroom are a ceiling fan, a hardwood floor, crown moulding and a new cast-iron natural gas fireplace resembling a wood stove.
The two additional bedrooms have custom trim work, hardwood floors and crown moulding. A five-piece bathroom, a two-piece bathroom and a laundry room complete this floor.
Back on the main floor, the in-law suite with its own entrance hall has a ceramic-tile floor, sliding wooden doors and built-in upper shelves, a small living room with a sliding-glass door walkout to a back deck, a kitchenette, a bedroom with another sliding door walkout and a four-piece bathroom.
There are three separate rental units: one on the lower main level, one on the main floor of the schoolhouse that has an upper loft space, and one on the lower level of the school house.
Each has a bedroom, full bathroom and an eat-in kitchen. There is a coin-operated laundry room to serve these apartments.
The six-car garage and workshop has a loft on each end and features radiant in-floor heat and hot water, a vaulted pine wood ceiling and dormer windows.
The backyard has an in-ground pool, manicured lawn, mature fruit trees, a greenhouse with a natural gas heater, two large storage sheds, a deck and a fire pit.
To have a look at this property contact listing agent Reine Schickedanz, Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc., Brokerage 905-640-8900; remaxallstars.ca.
Although we try to provide the most up-to-date information available, we cannot guarantee features as listed. Please contact the realtor for latest details. To make a submission to Home of the Week, email soldhome@rogers.com.