A Sun-Soaked Swell Dwell In Swansea

If you’ve been seeking a turn-key contemporary residence with a lot of panache in a sensational location, then look no further! This dynamite semi-detached swell dwell, dating from the turn of the century, offers plenty of pizzazz in one of the most coveted, creative neighbourhoods in the city! Featuring some spectacular renovations and oodles of style, this is a must-see property!

Welcome to 43 Durie Street!

Sweet Serenity In Swansea

It’s one thing to seek a home that is stylish and a comfortable place to spend your days and nights, but living your best life also means having convenient and cool amenities close at hand. You shouldn’t have to choose one or the other! One of the best features of this lovely home is its prime location in Swansea, just steps to Bloor West Village! It’s a unique spot that holds on to its history, but is contemporary cool at the same time – all tied up in a family-friendly bow.

Swansea – developed as an early suburb (albeit with unrealized electric railways) in the late 1800s – has evolved into a family-friendly neighbourhood that marries its bucolic setting with modern life. Which is what urban living should ideally be about – accessibility and well-being. One of the most convenient aspects of the area is its walkability – hands down (or maybe we should say feet down?). What’s better than being able to run (or walk) errands at quality shops, both quickly and easily? You’ll find all of the usual ‘go-to’s in this ‘Triple A’ location, like Shoppers Drug Mart, Global Pet Foods, the LCBO, and No Frills that make those everyday life tasks easy peasey.

This is because 43 Durie Street is a stone’s throw from Bloor West Village. In under 10 minutes, you can leave home and be well immersed in your retail therapy. The Village is home to over 400 shops, restaurants and services. In addition to the well-curated collection of storefronts that serve this stylish community, there are also a number of events happening here throughout the year. It’s a destination – and it’s super close to this superb home!

Shopping Bloor West Village, you’ll find whatever essentials you are looking for – and amazing unexpected finds as well! Check out some of our faves like the much-loved Buck’s Hard Goods, the long-established Trixie’s Boutique, and the beautiful Fig Tree. It’s always a good thing to have a great selection of restaurants, bars, and bistros close to home so that when the mood strikes, you’ll be seated and savouring in no time! Linger on the patio at Baka Gallery or the infamous Queen’s Pasta Cafe. Have you been to Bloom? Gatto and Bello have fantastic pizza. Try Turkish-inspired fare at Flame Food & Design. We also love Kinton Ramen, and Aztec Mine just to name a few! We guarantee your go-to coffee spot will likely be the Coffee Tree Roastery, and the Dark Horse will serve as your neighbourhood “meet-you-for-a-pint” pub. You may also love popping out for brunch to Ma Maison or the Sunshine Village Grill!

You will also find a rich bounty of unique independent businesses that are the heart and soul of Swansea. We love Guy’s Hair Design, a 2nd generation family-run barber where the fades are always fresh! Next door to him, is the much sought-after sole man: the Village Cobbler. New to the fold, Lemon & Lavender, is always stocked with great gift ideas you never knew  you needed. And the list goes on!

It’s easy to see why many of the thriving small businesses in this area have a great focus on health and well-being. With easy proximity to many natural green spaces like High Park, the Humber River and the myriad of trails and terrains in-between, being active and healthy is always in style in this part of town. So if you’ve got goals, this could be your path. The vast green spaces, trails and waterfront just encourage activity, as do all the fitness studios, big and small, dotting along this Bloor West strip. From OrangeTheory Fitness, F-45, The Running Room, long-established Modo Yoga and the much-loved Retrofit Pilates there a space for everyone. And if cycling is something you love to do, or just something you want to explore: welcome to Wheels on Bloor, Poppa Wheelie and Brown’s Cycle.

Healthy food choices are easy and convenient with piles of fresh produce shops – our faves being The Green Thumb, Carload and Fresh Avenue. There health food stores aplenty, but Second Nature Natural Foods is definitely line-up worthy. Hunting for fresh and local proteins? Look no further than Snapper Fish Market (which we will feature in an upcoming small local business blog blast), the infamous Bloor Meat Market, or Rowe Farms. What else? Need Chiropractors? Got ‘em. Dentists? Open wide. Orthodontists? Take out your cheque book. Podiatrist? They’re corny. Optometrists? Looking good!

But what’s a healthy lifestyle without some solid ‘cheat day’ options? Where to start? Bloor West bakeries bonbon-tastic! Choose anything on the Bread and Roses Bakery menu – satisfaction guaranteed. iHalo Krunch is weird and wonderful newbie that is loved. And we love to say, ‘Let us eat cake’ at The Cake Smith! And we also say it at Bake Sale and Hot Oven Bakery. But we can walk there, so it all equals out! We also love The Cheese Boutique for savoury fare!

Residents will tell you that some of the city’s best parks and green spaces are right here in Swansea – or just a short stroll away! It’s a known fact that having access to Mother Nature is a must for better mental health – made even more crucial during this pandemic.  Amazingly, this neighbourhood is bordered by expansive High Park to the East, Humber River to the North & West, and the shores of Lake Ontario to the South! You’ve got choices on all four quadrants of this location to get exercise, fresh air, and reconnect with soul-soothing outdoor spaces.

And right in the centre of Swansea is one of our faves – Rennie Park – which is one of the beloved anchors of this tight-knit community. In addition to wide-open green space, Rennie Park has something for everyone when it comes to recreational opportunities – no matter the season! In the warmer months, there are picnic areas, a playground, a wading pool, tennis courts, cycling paths, and playing fields. In the winter, there’s a looping skating pond and the outdoor ice rink, home to Swansea Hockey Association which happens to be the largest not-for-profit outdoor hockey league in North America. Tobogganing emerged as one of the most popular past times of the pandemic, and the slopes in and around Rennie park are some of the best. Nothing like the glow of rosy cheeks at the end of an afternoon spent outdoors! And right on the edge of Rennie Park is the Swansea Community Centre and Pool, offering a wide variety of programming for all ages. Check out their speciality camps, swimming lessons, and fitness classes.

Tobogganing emerged as one of the most popular past times of the pandemic, and the slopes in and around Rennie park are some of the best. Nothing like the glow of rosy cheeks at the end of an afternoon spent outdoors! And right on the edge of Rennie Park is the Swansea Community Centre and Pool, offering a wide variety of programming for all ages. Check out their specialty camps, swimming lessons, and fitness classes.

Living near popular High Park (only a 10-minute walk away) is a real bonus. What do you feel like doing today? You can choose from playgrounds, the zoo, picnic areas, off-leash dog park, tennis courts, outdoor pool, wading pool, splash pad and more! Say goodbye to all that, “Mom, I’m bored!”-talk with so many options right at your doorstep!

Having quality schools in the neighbourhood is a must – and even better if they are within walking distance. Reputable Swansea PS & JS which is for kids in JK-Gr 8, is only a 10-munite walk away. With its historical roots and a nearby pond and forest that support hands-on outdoor experiential learning, this school offers a unique educational experience. Also within walking distance are Humberside Collegiate, Western Tech, and Ursula Franklin Academy for high school.

Heading out in the city, or commuting to the office? Having quick and easy access to transit is essential.  The fewer minutes spent walking to a transit stop means more time for you! This property has an excellent Transit Score of 80, meaning that navigating through the surrounding ‘hoods – and all corners of the city – is a breeze on public transit! Subway and bus stops are a hop, skip, and a jump away, connecting you to the major arteries.

Crisp & Contemporary Family Living

This bespoke semi-detached dwelling – originally constructed in 1900 – has been substantially transformed over the decades into a charming residence that marries modern conveniences with unique features. Immaculately maintained, with several recent major building component upgrades, this sun-drenched Durie Street dwelling is well-suited to today’s contemporary urban living.

Featuring an extremely adaptable space plan, this property is ideal for those seeking a dedicated family space on the Main & Upper Levels, while the Lower Level with its private street entrance offers the flexibility of being a terrific Work-From-Home Office, a nanny suite, or accommodations for an aging parent or your moody teen!

Surrounded by a lush landscape of mature trees and manicured gardens, this vintage residence has an enchanting curb appeal. We love how this residence is perched above street level, where it’s afforded privacy, views, and flooded in natural light. Imagine sitting on the front year terrace in Autumn watching children playing games, or calling out friendly salutations to your neighbours and friends?

Main Level

Crossing the threshold, a welcoming open space plan unfolds affording expansive sightlines from front to back. Generous in scale and dimensions (including 8’6″ ceilings), the well-proportioned entertainment space naturally delineates into zones for lounging and dining. It accommodates a range of large furnishings in different configurations – whether that be sectional seating or a dining table for eight! We especially love the generous windows which illuminate the warm wood floors, flooding the space in natural light from its sky vista treetop perch and the neutral palette that allows your furnishing and art to take centre stage.

Do you love to host your friends and family as much as we do? Just beyond the entertainment zone, you’ll find the chef’s kitchen – an intelligently designed culinary workspace that offers plenty of counter space, gas cooking, and lots of storage! The warm wood cabinets play delightfully off the stainless steel appliances, and a mobile island does double duty as a prep space and seating for informal dining. The kitchen also connects directly to one of our favourite spots in this magical residence: the solarium family room. With its expansive glazing and vaulted ceiling, this room is kissed by the sun every morning until midday, framing the blue sky and lush garden throughout the year. With its wood stove and heated tile floors, it’s the ideal place to lounge, let the kids’ play without them getting underfoot, or simply kick back and relax at wine-o-clock!

The level fenced yard offers a dedicated area to lounge and dine on the sundeck, with a generous lawn for your kids to play – plus plenty of space to garden! Are you a ‘hipsteader‘ who loves to grow your own fruits and vegetables? This superb property has a shed to store all your tools, and great exposure in order to agri-nurture both beauty and bounty! It’s truly an outdoor oasis!

Upper & Lower Levels

Steps from the front entry, a staircase leads from the entertainment space to the second level where the private zones are located. Currently configured with two generous bedrooms and an open-plan office, this level features wood floors throughout, terrific proportions, and treetop vistas. Both bedrooms feature double closets with the opportunity to add additional built-ins in the primary bedroom. The open plan office offers versatility for the next buyer, including being easily partitioned to create a third bedroom, while the efficient 4-piece family washroom with soaking tub offers plenty of utility now or can be retailored to suit your needs.

In 2017, the lower level was substantially reconfigured and renovated into flex space serving a variety of wishes, wants, and needs! The separate enchanting arched door entrance – accessed directly on grade from the terrace overlooking Durie Street – and 7-foot ceilings makes this lower level feel special (and in no ways like a conventional basement). Configured with an open plan living zone with a quality kitchenette, a luxe 3-piece spa washroom, and an optional bedroom with an attached wardrobe, this is the perfect hideaway for an in-law or young adult who likes their independence, additional family space for movie and game nights, or terrific Work-From-Home office space. Features like the stainless steel double fridge drawers and cooktop/oven mean you never need to run upstairs for refreshments and snacks, and the gorgeous spa shower next to the laundry/utility room means the early riser can get ready for work without disturbing the rest of your laughing, barking brood.

With recent upgrades including exterior landscaping, several appliances, a new forced air gas furnace, hot water on demand system, circuit-breaker panel and comprehensive lower level renovation – including wiring, insulation with vapour barrier, plumbing, drywall, windows, ceramic flooring, recessed lighting, kitchenette and washroom – this fab family home is perfect for those seeking a turn-key ‘unpack and enjoy’ residence.

For those undertaking the search for ‘the one’, you know how rare it is to find a move-in-ready Home that offers the intangible beauty of scale, proportion, and light nestled in a coveted family-friendly community!

NOW SOLD!

For more information, please contact Cynthia Rose at cynthia@urbaneer.com!