An Elegant Edwardian Home Sweet Home In Dufferin Grove
offered at $1,349,000Download Feature Sheet
Something sublime emerges when you pair understated elegance with location and surroundings that enhance the overall sophistication of your quality of life. Your life and your experience should be reflected not only in the walls that encircle you – but in the laneways and streetscapes that wind around your home, connecting it to the community.
Welcome to 481 Dovercourt Road!
Located in Dufferin Grove, a charming community of merchant and working-class century homes minutes from the downtown core, this neighbourhood has become a testament to the richness of spirit Toronto’s urban fabric is celebrated for. Having a diverse multi-cultural community, from street to street, corner to corner, this neighbourhood is full of all walks of life. Bound by Bloor, College, Ossington and Dufferin Streets, this neighbourhood literally “has it all!”
Dufferin Mall and Bloor Street are a short walk away, and able to satiate any type of shopper, but for those on a mission, the Dufferin Subway Station can zip you anywhere you need to go! Speaking of zipping, there’s even a ZipCar location just a short stroll from this residence – how amazing is that? To the south, College Street has the most colourful mix of commercial storefronts including a Fromagerie, Starbucks, and several top-notch restaurants and cafés. In fact, one of our favorite taco places is right in the ‘hood! A few blocks away is the Gladstone Library, an incredible example of civic pride with its spectacular recent $119 million renovation. Sun-drenched in light and style, this marvelous amenity offers CD and DVD rental, free Wi-Fi and even encourages lounging with snacks for ultimate comfort.
For lovers of green space, Dufferin Grove Park, the largest green space in the neighbourhood, is literally at the end of the street. This family-fun community destination includes playgrounds, picnic areas and the smashing rink for ice skating or inline hockey. There’s a weekly organic market, a community pizza oven, and even internet ‘Wi-Fi’! A community support group, the ‘Friends of Dufferin Grove Park’ organizes most events and activities in the park, unlike most parks in the City, where events are organized by the City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Department. There’s even the celebrated ‘Clay and Paper Theatre’, who “create, develop and perform multi-disciplinary, community-driven theatrical works using narrative theatre and large-scale puppetry for large and diverse audiences”. How special would it be would it be to stroll to their magical puppet show each summer with your friends and family? And the YMCA at the corner of College and Dovercourt will come in handy for those who like to remain active during the winter.
For those with children, Dewson Elementary Public School offers a comprehensive education program from JK to Grade 6, with both regular English and French Immersion Programs. Having around 530 students of diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds, the school has specialist teachers for Core French, Music, and Physical Education, along with a great Learning Resource Centre. Without a doubt, this amenity-rich, dynamic neighbourhood has all the features desired by those purchasing with the “location, location, location” mantra in mind.
This bespoke merchant-class Edwardian manse offers the next Buyers a well-proportion layout, calibre fittings, and the opportunity to custom finish a quality upgraded lower level according to their own wishes, wants and needs. Having recently undergone a comprehensive transformation costing in excess of $400,000, this elegant property – having 2740 square feet above grade plus a further 930 square feet in the lower level – marries modern conveniences with character details which celebrate the pedigree of this bejeweled residence.
From the moment one enters from the gracious front porch, one can see the commitment to quality and the attention to detail. A complete to-the-studs gut 2010 renovation saw this entertainment level reconfigured to have a gracious foyer with classic stair and discreet powder room, which connects to a formal living area with gas fireplace, art-hanging system, original stained glass windows and elegant millwork. The generous dining area with wood floors flows seamlessly into a gourmet cook’s kitchen which blends contemporary features like the breakfast bar island with vintage-inspired cabinetry, stone counters and luxe stainless steel appliances including a dreamy gas range. The breakfast area has glass doors connecting to an expansive deck which overlooks a lush custom landscaped garden.
Up the stairs to the second level, three generous bedrooms with wood floors and closets offer a variety of uses, including an optional home office in the charming bay-windowed room with original fireplace mantle. There’s a renovated family bath on this level, and a former kitchen with eating area that is in excellent condition with upgraded cabinetry and cork floors. We covet a space like this, envisioning the next Buyers retrofitting the kitchen into a luxe laundry / craft / hobby room given all its ample storage. This is a great space for kids to do their homework or use as a playroom!
On the third level, two over-sized bedrooms are ideal spaces for young children, though this level lends itself to be renovated into a master suite. Featuring wood floors, great proportions and the insouciant charm of being ‘tucked under the eaves’, this magical aerie top floor offers great living space.
The lower level is incredibly unusual, in that it has undergone a substantial upgrade rare to find in a century house in the downtown core. Underpinned to have a finished ceiling height of eight feet, along with an exterior perimeter waterproofing upgrade which included filling all the stone foundation voids, this 930 square foot lower level is ready to be custom-tailored to suit. Having new plumbing, in-floor hot water radiant heated floors, structural columns/beams, wiring, windows and a french door walk-out to the garden, this exceptional volume of space offers a multiple uses for the next Buyer. That this was not finished due to our Seller’s relocation creates a value-added opportunity for the next Buyers.
Featuring quality custom landscaping both front and back (at a cost exceeding $25,000), this property’s generous 24 x 132 foot lot is a bucolic setting that nurtures nature. Designed to attract birds and butterflies using local species and varieties of plants resilient in our weather, this park-like setting offers respite from the ravages of everyday living. We love the expansive sundeck that connects to the pretty garden with its vistas of some spectacular species, including a neighbour’s Willow Tree. It’s visually arresting and so rare to find.
Could you see yourself living in a home like this?
Contact steve@urbaneer.com or carl@urbaneer.com for more information!