Live Lavish On Lisgar Street
offered at $899,900Any experienced house hunter will tell you that finding ‘the one’ has as much to do with where it is as with what it is. This is because, when when you buy a home, you also buy into a new style of living. So, the next time you close your eyes and picture yourself relaxing in the peace and quiet of your dream dwell, let your imagination drift beyond the walls of the home, to the community, amenities, and neighbourhood features that will support and nourish you. Because, for urban dwellers, there is untold value, in terms of richness of lifestyle, placed on both location and proximity to amenities.
When your property search matrix includes a calibre locale, paired with an equally top-notch home at a reasonable price, the opportunites are quite rare to market in Toronto. Luckily, we’ve just found a match:
Welcome to 178 Lisgar Street!
Located north of Queen Street West and west of Dovercourt Road, this large two-story attached Victorian home built in 1885 is placed perfectly to enjoy the peace of a private alcove, removed from the city’s hustle and bustle, while being only a short stroll to West Queen West’s world-famous burgeoning art scene, seductive night life, and ecclectic gastronomic destinations. Gentrifying left, right and centre, this almost cosmopolitan location (praised in Vogue and the Economist!), boasts all the amusements and amenities you could desire, whether frivolous or pragmatic.
If you’re a fan of the pedestrian lifestyle, this cool “street-style neighbourhood” is dotted with character shops, bars and restaurants, sporting clever names and hip patrons. On Ossington, for example, talked-about Philip Sparks Tailored Goods offers both men and women beautifully crafted quality clothing and accessories, many of which derive inspiration from found photographs Canada’s great outdoors, fabrics from yester-year, and period tailors’ notions. But if your closet is full, stop in at some of our favourite local hot spots instead, including Sweaty Betty’s, Pizzeria Libretto, and the Crooked Star. After all, living here provides endless fabulous choices… so many, that we can’t help but highlight a few more: Luna Café (for people-watching and sumptuous lattes), Bolt Fresh Bar (for healthier fare), the Gladstone Café (for great brunch) and Café Bernate (known for fresh eats served in the French café tradition). And if you’re a lover of the unique, stop in at the visually arresting florist, Poppies, or the Drake General Store, known for funky vintage pieces and other eclectic finds.
Truly, the challenge for the owner will not be trying to source local retailers and activities to meet their needs, but trying to decide where to go first! But, if you need a break from exploring, or time to sit and ponder your next destination, green space and outdoor leisure opportunities abound in nearby Trinity Bellwoods Park. Mere blocks away, one can enjoy this sprawling park, offering a weekly organic market, a leash-free dog zone, a skating rink, tennis courts, and a community centre with swimming pool. How amazing is that?
Nestled amidst Victorian merchant class housing, Edwardian working class row houses, and the vintage factory conversions of Queen West that give this neighbourhood its charming patina, this gorgeous century home on Lisgar Street has a classic profile that highlights its sought-after super-high ceilings that add well-earned gravitas. What’s more, it is a vessel for natural light; both the first and second floors boast ample windows that allow sunlight to sweep through the space and fill every corner. For those looking for elegance, ample living space, and flexibility, this dwelling delivers!
178 Lisgar Street represents a unique opportunity for customization. In it’s current configuration, the home is a duplex, housing a two-bedroom Garden Suite and a one-bedroom Upper Suite. However, with very few structural changes, this house could be easily returned to a grand, single-family home. Plus, the generous unfinished basement, offering access to the backyard, could easily be developed into an income suite. Talk about flexibility! And, while we’re talking customization, we love that the south wall of this attached home has been fully sound-proofed!
The covered porch opens to a classic hardwood entrance hall, offering access to the main and upper levels and boasting inlaid detail that hints at the home’s stately past. The main floor entrance opens directly into the sun-filled living space of the Garden Suite, which boasts more character hardwood, large front windows with garden views, and ample space to accomodate various furniture configurations. Continuing toward the rear, one will discover the suite’s Master bedroom. While currently styled as a dining room (as it could be used if the structure were reverted to a single-family dwelling), one can easily picture lazy Sunday mornings in bed with the paper, soaking up the morning sunlight. Beyond, the clean modern kitchen shows off high-end appliances, contemporary hardware and a 3-piece bath. Lastly, the second bedroom, also flexible in it’s purpose, features a walk-out to a private sundeck that essentially doubles your entertainment space for 8 months of the year – how lovely would that be?
Returning to the foyer and climbing to the Upper Suite, one is immediately embraced by a warm, well-lit living room, thanks in part to four lovely windows that offer a view of quiet Lisgar Street. The Master bedroom boasts both a double and single closet, so storage is never an issue! The well-proportioned kitchen is the product of a smartly-designed space plan, and allows for a convenient eat-in nook! Moreover, the west-facing window beckons to the afternoon and evening sunlight, bathing dinner preparations in a warm glow. Can you picture it?
In addition to all of the above, the property also comes with a detached garage on the lane that has been adapted into a workshop, complete with interior walls and hydro. So, if you’re an artist or craftsperson, it could be a private sanctuary for your creative pursuits. Alternatively, if your family has two vehicles, simply reclaim the workshop as a two car garage! Did we mention this property is flexible?
Homeowership is a fluid, dynamic activity, and for those who like to consider potential and tailoring a space to their needs, the options for this home abound. No matter a Buyer’s motivation, no one can discount the perks of customizable income property, or a traditional single-family home with a lower level income suite.
To learn more or book a private viewing, email carl@urbaneer.com!
Have we peaked your interest in this stellar neighbourhood? Have a look at our Queen West & West Queen West Neighbourhood Page featuring our flavour video, city census data on the area plus past amenity blogs! And for more, here are our other Neighbourhood Pages in the City of Toronto! We adore Toronto’s diversity!