Magnificent On Mona Drive Near Avenue And Lawrence

Welcome to 132 Mona Drive!

Mona Drive is situated in the coveted enclave of South Lawrence Park. Located south of Lawrence just east of Avenue Road – around the corner from reputable independent girl’s school Havergal College – this gracious 1935 detached manse is one of a collection of stately residences that offers all the benefits of a Triple AAA location. A 12-minute stroll will land you at the recently renovated Pusateri’s – a bespoke grocer offering gourmet-calibre basics plus items from around the world, a Shopper’s Drug Mart for all your sundry needs, or on the doorstep of rustic Italian bistro La Cascina where they specialize in the “Agriturismo” (slow food) experience. This is also the intersection to catch a speedy bus to the Lawrence Subway Station on Yonge street, or take a leisurely 20-minute stroll east through the neighbourhood to enjoy the shops and cafes of Lawrence Park on Yonge. Alternatively, about a 20-minute walk south are a host of restaurants, cafes and shops on Eglinton West, depending on what you are in the mood for. Phipps Bakery Café has sweet treats. Sip on quality coffee and catch live music at The Mad Bean Café. Doppio Zero features handcrafted Italian Cuisine and a lengthy wine list. Or you can dive into fare and a pint at either locations of the neighbourhood pub, the Abbot.

No prime location would be complete without easy access to green space, and just over a 5-minute walk away is Caribou Park (recently renamed Phil Givens Park), with lots of room to run and play, as well as a playground – perfect for a family outing right near home. Slightly further away (but still under a 10-minute walk) is expansive Lytton Park that spreads out over 1.7 hectares of green space. There’s also several lit tennis courts, bowling greens, a clubhouse and another playground. And completing the trifecta for the location bonanza is public transportation minutes away on Avenue Road.

This family-friendly neighbourhood isn’t just about connected community and being close to premium shops and restaurants. There are schools aplenty, which is of incredible value (both literally in terms of preserving and increasing your asset value and in terms of simplifying life for parents). For the preschool crowd, The Bees Neez Nursery school is a hop-skip-and-jump away. It’s steps to prestigious Havergal College, the girls-only private school offering liberal arts education for JK all the way through to Grade 12. Kids can start their schooling off within a 8-minute walk from home at the highly renown John Ross Robertson Public School for JK through Grade 6. Just over a ten-minute walk away is Glenview Senior Public School, serving Grades 7 and 8. High School is a little farther away, but definitely still walkable at Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute.

Here is a recent blog about some of the the most highly-rated schools in Toronto: Lawrence Park Is Home To Many Of Toronto’s Top Schools.

Both style and purpose are needed to define a space, which this 4+1 bedroom home has achieved in spades. Upon crossing the threshold, you’re greeted by an elegant foyer that gives you a subtle flavour of what you’ll experience in the rooms beyond. This house marks an evolution, with just the right balance between original features and contemporary details, gleaming hardwood floors, details in the trim, moldings and ceilings throughout and lead paned windows interspersed, a pleasant nod to the years that have given this home its character.

The living room is stately, with a cozy gas fireplace, flanked with stylish built-ins, perfect for showing off your treasures or displaying your books. Sizeable windows and wide doorways open the path for abundant light to fill this room, warming a sophisticated space suited to both Sunday afternoon reading and formal entertaining! Next door, the separate dining room is an homage to when dining is not just nourishment, but heightened to a refined social affair or elegant event. It’s rich wood accents and decadent lead glass windows are testaments to pride of craftsmanship and attention to detail. You can almost hear the ring of laughter and intelligent conversation that would unfold in such an exquisite room, as friends and family gather to break bread in stylish surroundings.

The heart of this home resides in the open concept family room and kitchen, which was part of a 2007 extension to the home (constructed to support a future second floor addition). It’s the perfect configuration for cooking and congregating; everyone feels part of the action, whether they’re preparing a meal or filling out the New York Times crossword! The sizeable granite island and breakfast bar anchors the space and provides pragmatism and polish. In addition to a shelving and storage, a double sink and loads of prep space, seating at this island means that you can prep meals while supervising children’s homework or while chatting with your mate over a glass of wine about your day. While the built-in fridge blends seamlessly with the classic cabinetry, the gleaming gas range provides a hit of contemporary taste, and is one of the many cooking and prep spaces illuminated by strategically placed, task-oriented pot lights. There is storage galore in this smartly equipped kitchen, including a large pantry that any chef would appreciate! The adjoining sunny breakfast nook feels warm and inviting, cradled by a large bay window. It’s the perfect place for daily family meals or less formal dining.

If the kitchen is the place to be industrious and creative, then the adjacent family room is the place for relaxing and reconnecting. This welcoming family space, able to draw everyone together on a daily basis, is bathed in light thanks to double patio doors that lead to a generous deck and landscaped garden. The outdoor living space feels like a countryside retreat in the midst of an urban centre; the sprawling deck is ideal for entertaining and celebrating, while the lush private backyard welcomes recreation and a reconnection with the natural world. Together, they form the perfect backdrop for lazy summer evenings spent relaxing under the canopy of trees or perhaps a good cup of coffee and morning paper enjoyed in the morning sun.

Also on the main floor is a pragmatic but utterly fashionable mudroom and a powder room, proving that even the most utilitarian spaces can be brushed with style, while the single car garage has been converted from vehicular parking to ample seasonal storage.

On the quiet second level are the sleeping quarters. The rooms are smartly laid out and softened by Berber carpet underfoot. The Master Bedroom is bright and generously-sized and bright, illuminated by large windows and featuring an extra-wide double closet. The room unfolds into a thoroughly modern Master ensuite – renovated in 2010 – that invites retreat with quartz countertops, an extra-large steam shower, heated floors, and contemporary chic finishes. The other three bedrooms are each sizeable, with ample closet space. One even has a built-in desk, perfect for your independent teen or for guests wanting to catch up on correspondence or work. Rounding out the second floor is a large four-piece family bath.

The size and layout of the meticulously renovated lower level make it truly functional and desirable as additional living space – no dank basements here! The large recreation room has high ceilings and good natural light, and the neutrally coloured Berber is warm and comforting underfoot; it’s a great space to gather with friends and family, or to let kids spread out and play in a space of their own. The built-ins and sound system are an added bonus, being both functional and fashionable. The fifth bedroom is located just off the recreation room and has a sizeable walk-in closet. It also works well as a home office or a hobby room. Rounding out the lower level is a large laundry room, tucked away in its own space, and a convenient 2-piece bath!

There is saying that you can’t acquire grace; you either have it embedded in your bones, or you don’t. 132 Mona is the housing equivalent of this saying, exuding a quiet, stylish grace, with its marriage of tradition with trend.

For more information or a private viewing, email Steven Fudge at steve@urbaneer.com! Dowload the feature sheet under the map in the top right corner of this page!