An Edwardian Manse In Dufferin Grove

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 Dewson Street – 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 marvellous 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 brick beauty, built in 1902, is a gracious two-and-a-half storey Edwardian manse with a one car detached garage and patio garden. With the charm of a picket fence and its eye-catching red steel roof, this wide semi has retained its stately character and heart-grabbing curb appeal.

The front foyer has the width and breadth rare to find in most Toronto residences. We love the oak banister and elegant stair which – while in need of restoration – has all the merits of a merchant class home. Formerly an income property (with the small low-maintenance rear patio this property is well-suited for an investor who’d prefer less exterior grounds to maintain), this dwelling offers the next Buyer multiple options to make this their own. Once a non-conforming duplex – consisting of a Main/Lower level 2-bedroom suite and a Second/Third level 3-bedroom suite – this residence has the benefit of a separate side entrance into the house which creates the possibility of a lower level income supplement as well (please note we are not warranting the future use of this property).

Having most recently been used as a single family dwelling, the main level features a music room which was once the kitchen with a connecting oversized pantry, a well-proportioned living room with a operating gas fireplace and stained glass bay window, and a renovated kitchen located in the former dining room. Fitted with quality cabinetry, this generous kitchen has a walk-out to a covered porch down to a sunny private fence patio with a south exposure – an ideal opportunity for those with green thumbs seeking the low-maintenance pleasures of container gardening!

On the upper levels are five bedrooms and one bath. One bedroom on the second level remains in a kitchen configuration, while the other two have terrific proportions; one features its own fireplace mantle, and the other a sizable south facing sun-room accessed through french doors. The second level bath is in need of renovation, but it has a decent space plan and a bijou bay-style window. Up the stairs to the third level are two expansive bedrooms, one of which has a sink. These tucked-under-the-eaves rooms have loads of patina and that insouciant charm we love in a vintage home. Given the generous square footage on these upper two levels, we could see someone potentially converting this into an owner’s residence with an income supplement on the lower floors.

On the waterproofed lower level, there’s a 3-piece washroom featuring a spacious subway-tiled shower, separate laundry, storage and utility areas, and an additional media room which was most recently used as a sound studio. Partially finished – which affords the benefit of the Buyer seeing the foundation, ceiling joists, and most major building components – this lower level offers utility and any number of potential uses.

This property has had most of the major building components upgraded. With a steel roof, several new windows/doors, basement waterprooding, upgraded wiring, plumbing, city water connection and a recent heating system (the Seller has agreed to pay out the rental contract on closing as part of the purchase), this property – with a detached garage completed with permits in 2003 – has that rare combination of being in solid condition while allowing the next Buyer the opportunity to cosmetically tailor this to suit their own aesthetic.

We’re pinching ourselves! Could this magnificent residence be the ideal opportunity for you?

Contact james@urbaneer.com or steve@urbaneer.com for more info!