A Sensational Sun-Kissed Semi In Oakwood Village

Something sublime emerges when you pair function and style with a vibrant location that contributes to the overall essence of a well-lived daily urban life. After all, the joys of domesticity are not limited to the four walls that cocoon you; they’re both expanded and enhanced by the neighbourhood around you – and the folks who live there!

If you’re seeking the comforts of domestic bliss – in character and quality, both inside and out – then this charming semi-detached family-friendly residence, kissed with classic contemporary touches, is most certainly worth your consideration!

Welcome to 663 Vaughan Road in dynamic Oakwood Village!

Welcome To Oakwood Village

Located just south of Eglinton Avenue West and one block west of Oakwood Avenue, this heart-grabbing 2-storey 3-bedroom character dwelling possesses all the charm and beauty you’d expect from a well-maintained Edwardian home. It’s steps to the shops of Oakwood Village, a 7-minute walk to the soon-to-be-open Oakwood Station on the new Eglinton Crosstown LRT, and a 7-minute stroll to the Fairbanks Memorial Swimming Pool, Park & Recreation Centre!  How sweet is that?!

You may not see much evidence today, but Oakwood Village is rooted in Toronto’s past as one of the earliest streetcar suburbs. With housing stock dating back to the 1920s (this Home Sweet Home was constructed in 1926), this centrally located midtown neighbourhood has everything you need, including excellent amenities to support all your leisure and life pursuits.

Affectionately known as ‘OV’, Eglinton Avenue West borders this neighbourhood to the north, Winona Drive to the east, St Clair Avenue West to the south and Dufferin Street to the west. Back in the day, before Toronto amalgamated in 1998, this area was in the former City of York and was called Oakwood–Vaughan. Still, you’re more likely to hear it called by its nickname, ‘Five Points’, for the intersecting crossroads of Oakwood Avenue, Vaughan Road, and Belvedere Avenue. Neat, eh? Being part of such a rich, vibrant, and historically significant community would be a boon for anyone.

This eclectic enclave has a lot to offer close to Home, thanks in part to the lively Oakwood Village BIA, which actively supports local shops and restaurants. The commercial district runs from Oakwood Avenue, between Charles Breton Park and Bude Street, and includes the adjacent businesses on Vaughan Road. Local businesses have long been a staple of this community, with a collection of shops and services in existence since the 1920s. When you look closely, you can see this history in the streetscape, layered with the emerging modern vibe that characterizes much of urban living today; it’s all about ease and utility. OV is on the rise!

This welcoming, warm neighbourhood is an inclusive cultural melting pot flavoured by the area’s Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, Filipino and Jamaican roots. This diverse multicultural makeup is enormously appealing to singles, couples and young families (43% of the households have children), making it one of the main reasons new buyers are gravitating to the neighbourhood. Another reason is the eclectic range of existing housing, both in terms of size, condition, type (about 17% of the housing is in 5+ storey apartments and co-ownerships) and price point that is available for purchase or rent, as well as the recent trend for older bungalows to be topped up or torn down and replaced with newly constructed executive single-family or multi-unit dwellings in a modern or classic contemporary style.

The City is prioritizing growth right now, ensuring that the neighbourhood is safer, that transportation is easier, and that infrastructure is vastly improved: Oakwood Village Streets Plan. There are some proposed condo developments in the works for the neighbourhood. Still, we’re also seeing smaller-scale infill development, such as multiplex conversions, driven in part by the soon-to-open Eglinton Crosstown LRT, which is truly a game changer.

One of the best parts of living in a village within a larger urban fabric is that your everyday life can be self-contained when you choose. There are plenty of places for kids to play, neighbours perched on front porches, and welcoming waves to passersby. Everything you require is a short stroll or cycle away, but if you are going to adventure out, whether by car or by public transit, it’s all lickety-split accessible, bordered by three of Toronto’s prominent arterial roads – Eglinton Avenue West, Dufferin Street and St. Clair Avenue West. (Plus the aforementioned LRT station a few blocks away!)

Love to shop local? Doing errands is nearly effortless because everything is so close to home. All within reach are a No Frills, FreshCo, Rexall, Shopper’s Drug Mart, the Beer Store, Canadian Tire and the LCBO. There are loads of interesting eateries and unique shops in this neighbourhood to choose from. Craving sweets? Your freshly baked goods are ready at Doce Minho Bakery. Got a cold? Pick up soul-soothing soup year-round at The Toronto Soup Co, while everything plant-based fare is ready for you at Vegwood. Grab-and-go your coffee on the way to the park at Hunter Coffee Shop. Head out in the morning to brunch at 3 Eggs All Day; although you can get breakfast – just as it sounds – all day long there! Looking for a pint? Stop in at Talk Of The Town!

Neighbouring Little Jamaica, a vibrant enclave that lies to the northwest along Eglinton Avenue, is in the process of being designated as Toronto’s first official cultural district. The city has a plan and is working with the community to develop a framework that will protect and celebrate the area’s rich Caribbean and Jamaican heritage while positioning the area for growth. We particularly love food offerings like Sheryl’s Authentic Caribbean Cuisine and the succulent jerk chicken at RAP‘s – delish! Little Jamaica glows with personality, culture, and community – all just a short jaunt from Oakwood Village!

How about great green space – is it important to you?  Toronto’s early suburbs were constructed with a focus on leisure in nature, and the City has done a great job of preserving as much green space and parkland as possible. In fact, one of Toronto’s most-loved parks is within walking distance of your front door! A 12-minute stroll away is the expansive Cedarvale Park, which is a veritable hub for this community. There are tons of trails for walking, hiking and biking. There are tennis courts, outdoor fitness equipment, playgrounds, a splash pad, a sports field and ball diamonds. Dog owners will love the large off-leash park. In the winter, there is an outdoor rink. There are a host of smaller parkettes within a small radius, too – like the Senator Peter Bosa Parkette on Vaughan Road, Laughlin Park on Atlas Avenue, CY Townsend Park on Winona Avenue and Charles Brereton Park on Oakwood Avenue – as well as the Fairbank Memorial Swimming Pool on Keywest Avenue and the Fairbank Memorial Community Recreation Centre on Dufferin Street. Just further afield – south of St. Clair west of Bathurst Avenue – is the beloved Wychwood Barns Park, which includes the converted heritage building built as a streetcar maintenance facility in 1913 and now a community centre/event venue, the Peter MacKendrick Community Gallery and office spaces for a range of arts, community and environmental organizations, as well as a Farmer’s Market.

When it comes to living an urban life, accessibility is everything. For those who commute by car, you’re a few blocks from the Allen Expressway that will connect you to Highway 401 and beyond. How’s that for zippity do dah! And for those who prefer easy-breezy public transit, this property is three blocks from the Eglinton Crosstown LRT!  The exterior of Oakwood Station’s main entrance features a bright, modern facade, blending with the retail spaces on either side. Alternatively, you can also reach the Eglinton West Subway Station on the Yonge-University Line in about 15 minutes on foot. How fantastic is that?

Have kids? There are excellent schools in the neighbourhood, including the reputable JR Wilcox Community School, just a 10-minute walk away, serving JK to Grade 8. A little further out, but still very walkable, is Oakwood Collegiate, with its well-regarded academic and athletic programs. And D’Arcy McGee Catholic School is just around the corner!

A Sweet Semi With Solid Bones

Situated on a 17.5-foot x 110-foot fully fenced lot with a generous patio, raised planter bed and charming storage shed, the property shares a mutual drive with its neighbour to the north and has an unlicensed front yard parking pad that the Seller has parked on without incident (sold without warranty by the Seller). The semi-detached brick-and-frame dwelling was built in 1926 and encompasses 1158 square feet on two levels above grade, plus an additional 501 square feet below grade. Architecturally, it embodies the classic beauty of the Edwardian style, which was the architectural style du jour in Toronto from 1900 through 1930.

The tidy front walk and small garden bed are low-maintenance, leading to the deep covered porch – a great space for lounging, chatting with neighbours, and people-watching! Crossing the threshold, you’ll find the dwelling is well proportioned, has superb flow, and a clean-lined, understated sensibility that is simple, honest and easy. We adore the artful balance between old and new, like the demising half-wall that offers a peak-a-view of the dining area from the foyer, and the front closet for hanging your outerwear.

Low-maintenance ceramic tile flooring in the foyer soon transitions into gorgeous wood floors that run the length of the entertainment space and continue on the second level. The entertainment space naturally delineates into zones for lounging and feasting, connecting to an efficient eat-in kitchen at the rear with a walk-out to the garden. Multiple large windows ensure this Home is awash in natural light from sunrise to sunset, while discreet recessed lighting on dimmers is ready to give you your glow come evening.

The kitchen is functional and efficient, with tile floors, ample storage, and a stainless steel appliance suite that will make both cooking and washing up a delight! The current owners have a small breakfast table for two next to the window, but if you desire more prep space, you may opt to install a movable island. The kitchen has a walk-out to a covered porch that leads to a paver patio, making access to the garden, the grill, or the picnic table a lickety-split endeavour. The landscaped, fully fenced yard is perfect to contain your laughing, barking brood, while the shed offers shelter and security for your lawn mower, gardening tools, and seasonal outdoor furniture.

On the second level, three well-proportioned bedrooms feature wood flooring, closets and a renovated family bath. The private spaces for domestic bliss have a cozy, ‘get away from it all’ ambience that invites rest and repose, yet offer enough square footage to accommodate all the multifunctional uses a modern family requires.  The sun-soaked front bedroom is the primary, with a double closet and two large windows overlooking the front yard, while the back bedroom – perfect for the little ones – overlooks the rear garden. The middle bedroom is currently being used as a home office, but could just as easily become a nursery, a kids’ play space, or an art studio.

The fully finished lower level offers additional utility and living space for any household. It includes a separate family room (or optional fourth bedroom) with recessed lighting, a renovated 3-piece washroom, a laundry area, and a storage/furnace room. This Home has radiant heat supplied by the gas boiler, and a rental hot water tank.

When searching for a place to call Home, the focus should be on ‘living well’, as in, well-situated, well-maintained & welcoming!
For those seeking a slice of domestic bliss that ticks the boxes for size, condition, and location, this charming move-in-ready residence in Toronto’s Oakwood Village is a fantastic value proposition.

Have questions? Interested in booking a private viewing? It would be our pleasure to assist.

Contact James Ormston by email (james@urbaneer.com) or phone (647-388-1357).