A Sun-Kissed Edwardian Manse In Roncesvalles Village

Ready?

When you picture yourself at home, what do you see? Do your surroundings contribute to how you feel?

Do you crave connecting with your community, but also seek respite in your own personal space? Does having amenities that enhance the quality – and ease – of your life nearby factor in?

What about the dwelling itself? Do you desire a Home that appeals to your sense of style and tradition simultaneously? And where your kids – living in the centre of Canada’s biggest metropolis – still hop, skip and jump on the road, or play street hockey, as we Canadians are wont to do?

Well here it is! Sitting on an idyllic avenue under a canopy of trees that promotes a sense of place and peace, this magical Roncesvalles family home delivers on all of these items and more.

Welcome to 6 Lynd Avenue.

This stately, brick detached 1600 square foot Edwardian manse (plus 750 square foot lower level suite) has all the charmisma of that hard-to-find vintage property yet has been thoughtfully modernized to accommodate today’s busy urban lifestyle. Its stellar location in Roncevalles Village – as in the ‘heart of the Olde City Of Toronto’ – is steps from every amenity, promising an urbane lifestyle chock full of convenience and choice.

Located less than a 5-minute walk from Roncesvalles Avenue, this home offers the very best of urban living. While Roncesvalles Village still retains the cultural stamp of authentic Polish butchers, bakeries and restaurants, they’re thriving amongst a growing number of trendy restaurants, entrepreneurial boutiques and indie coffee houses. Envision setting out to do your errands, and being able to hit Pollock’s Home Hardware, quality butchers, fishmongers and veggie markets all on the same stroll. Savour a pizza and then catch a film at the Revue Cinema. Several of our favorite Roncesvalles dining options are within a five-minute walk, including one my favourites, La Cubana! Green space is nearby as well, with expansive High Park (and its renowned Grenadier Cafe) to the west, and kid-friendly Sorauren Park just one block to the east with its organic market, tennis courts, playground and expansive playing fields (and annual Pumpkin Walk!). This area is also well served by transit, including all streetcars, the new UP Express service to the airport, a GO train to Union Station (just 11 minutes to Union Station!), and Dundas West subway station.

Did I forget to say ‘Triple AAA’ location?

Nestled on a quiet street and boasting a rich history (this house is one of the earliest constructions on the street), this property has a serene quality and exudes a feeling of belonging. Proudly sitting on its rich coveted sandy-soiled plot, this demure domicile features a rare centre hall layout from which each room radiates. Understated and restrained, this century home marries all the graciousness of a respectful restoration while simultaneously being elevated in its bespoke contemporary renovations. The convenient enclosed and heated front porch – perfect for mittens, coats and gear – connects to an enchanting vaulted foyer that unfolds into a series of articulated living spaces. Each extraordinary in their character, and with their own personality and sight lines, each room offers its own perfectly elegant proportions where natural light cascades according to the time and season of each day. Brimming with patina of a well-loved home, I have to confess I love the heritage windows – some with crafted bejeweled stained glass – with most having lush urban views. If cross-ventilation is a consideration – as much as sunbeams through your windows – I have to say this is THE home that gives the gift of ethereal aeerie space.

Which is extremely rare. Just sayin’.

What also makes this home so magical, is how each room has its own aspect and character. The gracious bay-windowed parlour with recessed lighting, wood floors, and demure chimney breast is drenched in morning light, making it perfect for the morning paper. Featuring a library of custom shelving that artfully transitions from the parlour’s alcoved study (or music room as it currently serves) into the custom-designed west-facing kitchen, the spaces unfolds into a bespoke cook’s culinary centre featuring cherry cabinetry, a marble pastry board, and a stainless steel appliance suite (5 burner gas cooking!) that connects seamlessly into a charming dining room with south-facing garden vistas and a west-facing walk-out to the lush landscaped garden with terrace.

You cannot live without Light.

And this house has it.

On the second level, three we-can-fit-in-these bedrooms have been tastefully elevated while respecting the original architectural character of this home-sweet-home. They are complemented by two fully renovated washrooms (one master ensuite bath with convenient stacking laundry, toilet, sink and tub – and – a family bath with sink, toilet, and spa-like shower). These spaces each offer their own merits (who can resist a bay window in a master bedroom and modern built-in wardrobes?), but I have to admit my heart pitter patters for the charm of the ensuite’s vintage soaking tub wrapped in classic paned windows!

Someone in your family has, or yearns, for a green thumb.

Isn’t it time you grew your own food?

It’s not only conceivable, but here is a place where generations of owners have celebrated  – and cherished – the satsifaction of cultivating their soil.

This lush rear yard features an amazing vegetable garden (including over 15 varieties of heirloom tomatoes!), which is both picturesque and practical, including a flexible drip irrigation system. It also boasts a tranquil stone terrace, which offers the ideal balance of privacy and connectedness. Anchoring the rear of the garden, the vine-covered block garage, accessed from the lane, offers additional mezzanine storage, an electric garage door with remote and – get this – the benefit of roughed-in electrical and plumbing conduit routed from the main house to this structure for the potential conversion (pending planning approvals) into a discreet artist’s studio.

This home also boasts a two-bedroom lower level suite currently leased for $1250/month inclusive of utilities until April 30th 2016. Housing a lovely couple and their two indoor/outdoor cats, this non-retrofit income supplement could also serve as your nanny suite or – and this may well be inevitable and pre-emptive planning – a space for your moody teen!

Embracing the real estate mantra of ‘location, location, location’, supporting the convenience and ease of an uber-convenient pedestrian lifestyle, while offering a modern well-executed twist on a historic home, can you imagine having the good fortune of calling this stellar place your Home?

Want to learn more? Contact Steve@urbaneer.com for more information!

Have you met Roncesvalles Village yet? If you don’t know this area very well, here’s our Neighbourhood Page on Roncesvalles Village 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!