A Handsome Executive Heart-Grabber In Sweet Swansea

SOLD

For those seeking a pristine polished contemporary ‘Forever Home’ in a coveted family-friendly neighbourhood, this serene sunkissed detached residence – substantially rebuilt in 2006 and significantly refreshed through the 2020s – offers the Buyer a welcoming well-proportioned interior and exterior space plan; the enduring excellence of quality materials, intelligent design, and expert execution; and the infinite intangible benefits of belonging to a convenient cohesive community.

Welcome to 100 Durie Street!

Sweet Serenity In Swansea

It’s one thing to seek a home that is a stylishly comfortable place to spend your days and nights, but living your best life also means having convenient everyday amenities close at hand. One of the best features of this exceptional residence is that it’s located in the Village of Swansea, just steps from Bloor West Village! In proximity to a popular high street with shops and services, the Bloor Subway Line, amazing recreation facilities, an abundance of green space, and some of the city’s most coveted public schools, this is a well-established neighbourhood that cherishes its past with an eye to its future – all tied up in a family-friendly bow.

Swansea, as we see it today, developed as an early ‘streetcar’ suburb in the late 1800s, albeit without the myriad of electric streetcar lines originally proposed for completion in 1894.  Today it’s a vibrant neighbourhood that marries its bucolic setting with our modern urban lives. Its lush leafy landscape nurtures health and well-being, while its accessibility to all manners of transportation offers exceptional convenience. We especially appreciate its walkability – hands down (or maybe we should say feet down?) – being just a stone’s throw from Bloor West Village. Literally, within 2 minutes of walking out your front door, you have access to over 400 local shops, restaurants, and services. And these small merchants – who can also be found at ShopBloorWest.com – organize and sponsor some nifty annual community events like the Bloor West Streetfest, Outdoor Movies In The Park, and the Ukrainian Festival. How amazing is that?

Shopping Bloor West Village offers the essentials you’re looking for plus some unexpected finds as well! Along with the usual ‘go-to’s like Shoppers Drug Mart, Global Pet Foods, the LCBO, and No Frills some of our Shop Local faves include the much-loved Buck’s Hard Goods, the long-established Trixie’s Boutique, and the beautiful Fig Tree. A more recent arrival is Lemon & Lavender, which is always stocked with great gift ideas you never knew they needed.

Eating healthy is easy with plenty of fresh produce shops – our faves being The Green Thumb, Carload, and Fresh Avenue while quality proteins can be purchased at Snappers Fish Market along with the infamous Bloor Meat Market, or Rowe Farms. Plus a little fromage from  The Cheese Boutique never hurt anyone, right? There are also health food stores aplenty, but Second Nature Natural Foods is definitely line-up worthy.

We admit our healthy lifestyle includes some solid ‘cheat day’ options, which is fortunate because the selection of Bloor West bakeries is bonbon-tastic! Choose anything on the Bread and Roses Bakery menu – satisfaction is guaranteed. iHalo Krunch is a weird and wonderful newbie we savour. And you’ll hear us shriek ‘Let us eat cake’ at The Cake Smith, at Bake Sale, and at Hot Oven Bakery. Be assured we always walk to these destinations to pick up our treats, so it all equals out!

Looking to grab a bite or a beverage? There are restaurants, bars, and bistros galore! Linger on the patio at Baka Gallery or the infamous Queen’s Pasta Cafe. Have you been to Cellar & Smoke? Gatto and Bello have fantastic pizza. Try Turkish-inspired fare at Flame Food & Design. We also love Kinton Ramen, and Aztec Mine to name just a few! We guarantee your go-to coffee spot will likely be the newly established Coffee Boutique – just 90 seconds away, while the Dark Horse will serve as your “meet-you-for-a-pint” local. You may also love popping out for brunch to Ma Maison or the Sunshine Village Grill!

There’s also a rich bounty of unique independent businesses that are the heart and soul of Swansea. We love Guy’s Hair Design, a 2nd generation family-run barber where the fades are always fresh! Next door to him, is the much sought-after sole man: the Village Cobbler. Need a chiropractor? Got ‘em. A dentist? Open wide. An orthodontist? Take out your cheque book. A podiatrist? They’re corny. An optometrist? Looking good!

We all know being present with Mother Nature is a must for optimal mental health, so one of the priceless benefits of this property is that some of the city’s best recreational parks, trails and terrains, and contemplative green spaces encompass and surround Swansea. Wrapped by expansive High Park to the east, Humber River to the north & west, and the shores of Lake Ontario to the south, you’ve got lots of options to run, hike, paddle, play, glide, parkour, or be still in multiple soul-soothing outdoor environments.

Being active and healthy is always in style in this part of town. So if you’ve got goals, your path to success may be enriched by all the fitness studios, big and small, dotting this Bloor West strip. From OrangeTheory Fitness, F-45, The Running Room, long-established Modo Yoga, and the much-loved Retrofit Pilates there’s a space for everyone. And if cycling is something you love, check out Wheels on Bloor, Poppa Wheelie, and Brown’s Cycle.

One of our favourite local destinations is Rennie Park which anchors this tight-knit community. In addition to its expansive green space, Rennie Park has something for everyone when it comes to recreational opportunities – no matter the season! In the warmer months, there are picnic areas, a playground, a wading pool, tennis courts, cycling paths, and playing fields. In the winter, there’s a looping skating pond and the outdoor ice rink, home to Swansea Hockey Association which happens to be the largest not-for-profit outdoor hockey league in North America.

Tobogganing emerged as one of the most popular past times of the pandemic, and the slopes in and around Rennie Park are some of the best. Nothing like the glow of rosy cheeks at the end of an afternoon spent outdoors! And right on the edge of Rennie Park is the Swansea Community Centre and Pool, offering a wide variety of programming for all ages. Check out their specialty camps, swimming lessons, and fitness classes.

Although Rennie Park is an easy bike ride through the neighbourhood with younger kids, it’s also a quick cycle to popular High Park using the Bloor West Bikeway Extension that begins 2 streets east. Along with its playgrounds, picnic areas, off-leash dog park, tennis courts, and splash pad, it has a zoo (since 1893), a generous outdoor pool, plus the annual Dream In High Park, a summer ritual of Shakespeare productions hosted by the Canadian Stage Company.  Say goodbye to all that, “Mom, I’m bored!” talk with so many options right at your doorstep!

Having quality schools for a family is a must – and it’s even better if they are within walking distance. Reputable Swansea PS & JS which is for kids in JK-Gr 8, is only a 10-minute walk away. With its historical roots and a nearby pond and forest that support hands-on outdoor experiential learning, this school offers a unique educational experience. There’s also Saint Pius X Catholic Scholl on Jane Street near Bloor. Also within walking distance are Humberside Collegiate, Western Tech, and Ursula Franklin Academy for high school.

Commuting to the office or a night of cocktails with besties (aka My Book Club)? Having quick and easy access to transit is essential. After all, fewer minutes spent walking to a transit stop means more time for you, and yours! From 100 Durie Street, it’s just a 4-minute stroll to the Runnymede subway station. Amazing! Heading to the airport? Just 3 subway stops east of Runnymede Station is the Bloor Stop for the Union Pearson Express Train. This means you can walk out your front door and be at Pearson International Airport in 45 minutes! Wow!

Modern Family Living

This sensational 4+1 bed, 3.5 bath heart-grabber has serious curb appeal! A handsome oversized tiled walkway guides you toward the welcoming front porch, while the lush mature cedars and perennial planters offer both privacy and beauty.  A grand front door with a glass insert opens into a stone foyer that is as inviting as it is practical; the spacious front closet keeps this entryway neat, tidy, and organized for all. 

To the left, a generous open-plan entertainment space is delineated into living and dining zones, both awash in the warm sunlight that streams in the gorgeous bay window! We love the 9-foot ceilings, beautifully detailed moldings, and classic California shutters that provide privacy. The newly installed wide-plank oak flooring brings a warm contemporary touch that tonally balances the entire main floor. One can easily imagine dinner guests gathering and mingling in this ample space, or a family breaking bread as they recount their respective days.

Moving further into this family home you’ll find the combined kitchen and family room – and it’s a true showstopper! The recently renovated chef’s kitchen was custom designed to celebrate culinary creation, entertaining, and family life.  A sleek custom backsplash – with a narrow integrated shelf to showcase art or to have ingredients at the ready – is the essence of practicality and beauty. Above, the wrapped, restaurant-grade Vent-a-Hood range hood is top quality and looks very handsome in the space. We’ve always considered a large kitchen island to be the heart of any home, as it inevitably invites a congregation of so many kinds. This sleek island, boasting a Frankie Fire clay apron sink, spans the length of the room, allowing for many hands to prepare food, or for several to sit comfortably to enjoy a bite or two. Thoughtful storage throughout the kitchen includes deep, pull-out pantries that can house all the cooking necessities one must have but doesn’t want to be seen! The built-in wine fridge is a clever bonus and blends in seamlessly with both the design of the kitchen and the rest of the sparkling stainless steel appliances. We particularly adore the finish on the upgraded hardware and the gorgeous pendant lights, which both serve to elevate this unique culinary workspace! 

The lovely adjacent family room offers an additional cozy space to curl up with a book, watch a show – or chat with the chef without getting underfoot! Tous les gang can enjoy the warmth of the gas fireplace and chat while a feast is being prepared. And you’ll adore the view into the beautiful backyard; the oversized patio doors flood the space with natural light and offer a superb vantage point to peak-a-view at your laughing barking brood playing! The outdoor oasis unfolds into separate zones – some awash in sunshine and others shaded by mature trees. It’s low maintenance and an entertainers’ dream; the recently constructed deck off the kitchen allows for easy access to the barbecue and offers a chance to joyfully dine alfresco! Beyond, the lounge area is a perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail under the stars or a morning coffee while breathing in the tranquillity of this enclosed oasis. 

We would be remiss if we didn’t draw your attention to the existence of the main floor powder room; with overhead built-in shelving, this 2-piece is the definition of convenience (and a rarity in our urban landscape!).  The updated pocket doors preserve the privacy and functionality of this modern, handy space!

Leading to the upper level, a resurfaced hardwood staircase with a very handsome iron handrail complements the newly installed wide-plank white oak engineered hardwood floors that lead to four generous bedrooms. The primary sleeping sanctuary, overlooking the west-facing garden with its private ‘treescape’ vista, boasts oversized west-facing doors with architecturally resplendent arched transom window and a lovely Juliet balcony. How lovely to feel the breeze as you nestle in an indulgent slumber. Can we say Dreamy? The ensuite – with its newly installed double floating vanity with ample storage and its glass-enclosed walk-in shower – is equipped with high-end faucets & fixtures. This sweet escape from the ravages of everyday living also features a large walk-in closet with custom-built shelving and drawers. Rounding out the second floor are three more bedrooms – all light-filled and spacious! The bedrooms at the front of the house enjoy towering clerestory windows and double closets to keep young fashionistas organized, while the main washroom – a smartly designed 4-piece that contains both a bathtub and a shower – is perfect to accommodate all ages and stages of a growing family. 

The finished lower level boasts high ceilings, beautifully installed Flor carpet tiles, and a separate entrance, offering oodles of versatility! Whether this space becomes a quiet home office, an auxiliary family space to play & watch movies, a home gym, a spot for overnight guests to sleep, or all of the above, the advantages – and possibilities – of having extra flexible living space is invaluable. The utility room makes seasonal storage a breeze, and the deep freezer is perfect for housing convenient containers of double-batch cooking. The laundry room offers a newer large-capacity washer and dryer surrounded by an enclosed folding station and laundry sink, and the adjacent  3-piece washroom was recently updated with new tile, a more spacious vanity, and a Zucchetti sink faucet & fixtures. There’s even a dedicated mudroom with a built-in worktable and an additional double closet! How handy is that?! It’s a fantastic landing pad to clean muddy paws, or remove snowsuits after a day of sledding!

In terms of outbuildings, this dwelling also boasts an 8×8 garden shed constructed on a concrete slab. Perfect for stashing patio furniture or organizing gardening tools, this detached structure is also surrounded by a natural stone patio; this stone encompasses the backyard, continues down the mutual driveway, and leads to the dedicated legal front pad parking.

100 Durie St., Toronto from Property Pandas Inc. on Vimeo.

For those seeking a well-maintained, well-renovated, and welcoming family residence, this stone & stucco domicile of domestic bliss – featuring nearly 2500 square feet spread over 3 levels – on a generous lot in an outstanding location is worthy of your consideration.

Curious? Questions? Interested in a private tour? Email Cynthia – cynthia@urbaneer.com!