Rare detached house boasts total renovation
Three-storey home sits in coveted Brockton Village neighbourhood
Location 79 Margueretta St.
Price $2,399,900
The seller Bryan Ulrich was immediately taken with the stylish grey house for sale in Toronto’s Brockton Village from the moment he saw it. It was a single, fully detached home, rare in downtown, and had been completely renovated top to bottom. It became his and his wife’s in 2019 and they’ve raised their young son there, as well as hosted many family birthday celebrations, parties and backyard barbecues with friends.
The three-storey house is in a coveted neighbourhood, with almost perfect walk, transit and bike scores. Ulrich loves the convenience of being able to walk to an “amazing grocery store” around the corner, as well as to trendy restaurants and retail stores. He also appreciates its proximity to Roncesvalles and the Gardiner Expressway. If not for getting a divorce, Ulrich, a vinyl record and memorabilia collector, would have lived there long term.
“It was the first house I’ve owned and I had a property manager friend look it over. He said no expense was spared, and it was important for me, knowing everything in the house had been done right.”
The renovation was professionally done, with premium finishes and features, so there has been no need to upgrade it further, except for the hot tub Ulrich added to the backyard.
His favourite thing about the house is the wide-open view from the living room through to the dining room and kitchen. The upscale kitchen is “very functional” with sleek white cabinetry, tile backsplash, oversized floor tiles and stone countertops. He admires the hardwood floors throughout most of the house. “They are rich brown and dignified, and look like something you might see in a cathedral.”
“My second favourite space is the third-floor bedroom. It has a window overlooking the street, and cool angles on the ceiling,” he says.
Ulrich points out the house has potential to generate income for its next owners: There is a bright, fresh one-bedroom basement apartment with separate entrance, where his father lived for a while. And the house is zoned to permit a laneway house in the rear.
The realtor says “The house, with three floors above ground and more than 3,000 square feet of usable space, is magnificent, with an open-concept main floor plan and tons of natural light throughout. There are walkout sun decks on all upper levels to maximize outdoor space, with skyline views. It’s a perfect urban dwelling in a fantastic location that shows like a model home,” says realtor Ira Jelinek of Harvey Kalles Real Estate.
Highlights
■ Completely renovated within last six years with high-end finishes
■Deluxe kitchen with stainless steel appliances, stone countertops and high-end cabinetry
■ Four bedrooms and five bathrooms (plus another bedroom in basement)
■Glass-panelled terraces from upper levels
■Potential to build a 1,300-sq.-ft. laneway house
■Basement apartment, vacant and ready to rent
■In the heart of Brockton Village with subway at top of the street, mix of restaurants and shops nearby
■ Excellent schools within walking distance.
As beautiful as the house is, Ulrich values his neighbours the most. “They are really incredible. All around, there are super friendly, very helpful people. There are many families and it’s a very caring neighbourhood.”