An Enchanting Cabbagetown Cottage On Alpha Avenue

I’ve always loved Toronto’s picturesque Cabbagetown neighbourhood! Boasting one of the largest concentrations of preserved Victorian housing in North America, this charming neighbourhood is renowned for its village vibe that welcomes everyone, and its convenience to the urban amenities for daily life. Who wouldn’t want to stroll down the leafy Cabbagetown allées, or access two types of transit just a block away? It’s the perfect mix of quiet and convenience.

While Cabbagetown’s namesake is historically rooted in the 1840’s when thousands of Irish immigrants settled here after fleeing the potato famine in their homeland, what was once one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Toronto is now a much sought-after enclave of beautiful Victorian architecture. Featuring a village ‘high street’ boasting several friendly neighbourhood pubs and some pretty swell cafes, it’s just east of the ‘big city bright lights’ vibe of downtown. Wrapped by expanses of lush verdant nature, this residence is just steps to beautiful Riverdale Farm that gives you a taste of agricultural living with a collection of livestock, near Riverdale Park with its athletic fields, and the Don Valley Park system with some stellar bike trails. It’s also a short stroll to nearby Allan Gardens to the south west, which offers a magical conservatory built in 1858, a playground, and two fenced off-leash areas for dogs.

Cabbagetown is a community with heart and amenities. Featuring the perfect balance of day-to-day shopping and design destinations, Parliament Street offers everything from the St. Jamestown Steak And Chops butcher or the baked goods of Jet Fuel, to Urbaneer’s favourite candle stick purveyor at Spruce Home Decor. Feeling peckish? Try my favourite resto in the area – House On Parliament! Family-run Cranberries and The Irv are also worthy of a visit, on Parliament and Carlton respectively! Oh and don’t forget Hey Lucy just around the corner! Feel like ordering in? Butter Chicken Factory on Parliament is one of the best Indian restaurants in the city! And, of course, all the basics for daily errands are nearby – grocers, cafes, an LCBO, a Beer Store, and Shoppers!

Do you love celebrating all the magic that is Toronto? When it comes to getting local, I adore the annual Cabbagetown Festival!

Take Toronto Transit? While this home is removed from the hustle and bustle of Parliament Street, the 506 Carlton streetcar is just steps away! It’ll whisk you west to the Yonge Street subway in 8 minutes if the stars align or take you east to Riverside, Leslieville, and beyond! Heading the Bloor Street or St. Lawrence Market? Catch the 65 Parliament bus which runs north to Bloor or south to Front Streets! Without question this is a super-central location while still being leafy and low-key! And if you need an automobile for a short trip, there’s a ZipCar at Parliament at Winchester just steps away. How amazing is that?

Even if you don’t have immediate need for them, an asset-boosting amenity are good schools, and 14 Alpha is well-located for that indeed. Sprucecourt PS serves JK-8  and is close by. When it’s time to head off to High School, reputable Jarvis Collegiate is your local.

Tucked away on a privately-owned Avenue, this enchanting ‘worker’s cottage’ is one of a collection of sixteen preserved 19th century rowhouses which reflect the character and charm of this vintage neighbourhood. Part of the Cabbagetown North Conservation District, this row of residences date from the 1890s. This quietly quaint row house embraces and promotes its history but brushes the edges of its charm with contemporary conveniences and style. It is a rare find in urban locales to have a location that offers such an excellent array of amenities very close by, but offers peace and quiet, just removed enough from the hustle and bustle. Extremely well laid-out and convivially sunny and bright, this heart-stealer is one to see.

The experience of this home begins immediately at the front door. The entrance features smart storage with a pair of double closets framing a lovely window seat overlooking the mews. Sight lines from the front of the home lead the way through the open main level, giving a signal to what lies ahead. Underfoot, wide vinyl plank flooring offers low-maintenance care with a relaxed aesthetic which welcomes, having the perfect hue to pull the natural light throughout the bright space. Complementing it, with a subtle and stylish nod to its historical roots, exposed wood beams lend a welcome symmetry to the open floor plan.

The living/dining room is well-proportioned and comfortable, anchored by windows on each end, each with their own unique vista. Smart custom shelving defines the space between this Entertainment Space and the kitchen, but doesn’t interrupt it, and does double duty for storage or to display objects d’art, like the pieces featured by local purveyor Spruce On Parliament. The generous kitchen/diner has plenty of square footage to customize to suit, given the kitchen is serviceable yet ready to make your own. I personally like that it’s aligned on one wall with ample counter prep space and excellent storage. And I find the brick paved floor a charming nod to yesteryear! Perhaps most beguiling in this particular room is how expansive the sliding patio doors are, not only flooding the space in natural light but framing the exceptional view of this home’s lovely courtyard garden.

Upstairs, the master bedroom and the second bedroom are bright, sunny and sizable. Freshly fitted with cozy broadloom and warm white walls, the bedrooms share a well-proportioned washroom ready to make you own. Love light as much as I do? The top landing with its vintage banister is flooded with sunshine through the operable skylight!

In the lower level, a flex room with good proportions and brick paved floors is ready to assume whatever role you’ll assign it-  whether it be a third bedroom, media room or hobby space. The possibilities are endless. The laundry zone is located at the bottom of the lower level landing, tucked away from the rest of the home yet accessible for convenience. And the utility room, housing the hot water tank and forced air gas furnace (both rental items which include replacement and service), has plenty of additional space for storage.

The garden courtyard is reflective of how this home is so successful in creating an aura of peace around itself, even though it is very much connected to its urban surroundings. Backing onto St. James Cemetery, a canopy of lush mature trees and shrubbery extends across the north boundary of Alpha Avenue, providing exceptional privacy and the sense you’ve been transported to the countryside.

Featuring just over 1100 square feet above grade – and situated in an exceptional neighourhood – 14 Alpha Avenue offers the perfect fusion of yesteryear and today!

Want to learn more? Contact Steve at steve@urbaneer.com!

Have you met Cabbagetown yet? If you don’t know this area very well, here’s our Neighbourhood Page on Cabbagetown including our flavour video, the city census data on the area, plus several past blogs on area amenities! And consider checking out our other Neighbourhood Pages to learn about other Toronto real estate!