ADDRESS: 50 Elm Avenue
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Rosedale-Moore Park
AGENT: James Warren, Royal LePage, Johnston and Daniel Division, Brokerage
PRICE: $4,995,000
THE PLACE: A historic gated Victorian home—with an actual turret—in the heart of Rosedale.
BRAGGING RIGHTS: Built in 1898 for Henry O’Hara, the house is one of Toronto’s oldest. It was converted into a rooming house following World War II before being one of the first homes in the city listed for architectural importance in 1975. John Emery’s Fairmont Properties restored the house to its original grandeur in 2002.
BIG SELLING POINT: With nine movie theatre-style seats lined up in front of a giant projector screen—the current owners have even tricked the room out with a popcorn machine and makeshift concession stand—and a third-floor games room, this place appeals to kids both young and old.
POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER: If it ain’t baroque, don’t fix it. The living room and dining room look fit for French royalty, but if you’re looking for a more casual space to entertain, renovations are required.
BY THE NUMBERS:
• $4,995,000
• 114-years old
• 7 bathrooms
• 6 bedrooms
• 1 wine tasting area
• 1 gym (in the garage)
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- The Victorian was originally built in 1898 and has been been meticulously restored and renovated
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- A restored bandstand with fan-style front stairs (for dramatic entrances)
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- Yep, that’s a two-car garage
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- Care for a mint julep?
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- The foyer has hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows and architectural details like cornice mouldings, and a Rococo-style mantle
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- One of seven fireplaces (get your ax out)
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- Three sets of French doors lead from the family room to the deck and rear garden
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- Libraries just ought to be mahogany, don’t you think?
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- The living room has two sets of French doors leading to Juliet balconies overlooking the front garden
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- Perfect for an impromptu concert
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- Tricked out in cream and gold
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- The kitchen leads into a family room and eating area. It has a built-in mahogany island, marble countertops and built-in speakers
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- Built-in desk and breakfast nook
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- The original oak wainscoting and bay window in the dining room was restored
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- Plenty of space for both a long dining table and a pair of armchairs
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- The landing between the first and second floors has stained and leaded glass windows
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- Moving along
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- The master suite on the second floor has a bay window overlooking the front garden, a gas fireplace, built-in speakers and a walk-in closet
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- Canopies aren’t just for princesses and little girls
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- The fireplace has a carved mantle and marble surround
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- The bathtub is Victorian, but the heated mosaic marble floors and steam and overhead rain shower are modern luxuries
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- A second bedroom
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- We think she likes pink
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- A third bedroom
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- An extra sitting room, in case the others are full
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- A secondary ensuite has basket weave marble floors, a marble counter and a tiled shower stall
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- Time to exfoliate
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- Two more bedrooms and a games room await us on the third floor
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- A turret-like guest room
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- Plenty of windows for early risers
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- There’s a bathroom up here, too
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- A games room with cherry floors, built-in shelves, a walk-out balcony and a skylight open to the level below
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- Comfy playtime digs
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- The beamed ceiling adds some interest
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- Moving down to the lower level
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- Temple to refrigeration
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- Reclaimed brick walls give this wine-tasting room an authentic air
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- Bottoms up
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- A media room, complete with red velvet curtains and folding movie chairs
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- Who’s bringing the popcorn?
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- Yet another bedroom in the basement
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- In-floor heating takes means it’s never too cold for a work out
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- Outdoor seating
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- From another perspective
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- No need to buy a Christmas tree
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- The front and rear gardens are newly landscaped with mature trees and shrubs
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- The coach house has electricity, water and gas
A proper house over-all, with the exception of the pink room.
February 15, 2012 at 1:35 pm | by Symon DemersThis house would be AMAZING if it weren’t so traditional!! What is with that living room!?! It looks like someone’s grandmother’s house. And they clearly have little kids.
The best rooms in the house are the guest room and the top floor play room.
If this house were brought up to date a bit, this could be one of the better houses in Toronto!
Check out the floor plans from the last time it was listed…
February 15, 2012 at 2:03 pm | by theMASH.cahttp://www.crworks.com/partner/homephotos/C838269_22.pdf
The furniture is appropriate for the age and style of the home, but not to everyone’s taste. Hopefully whoever buys this will appreciate the mouldings, dining room wainscotting, etc., and not go crazy by ripping this stuff out. Respect the house and don’t try to make it something its not.
February 15, 2012 at 2:47 pm | by cathieA really beautiful home and I think that the decor suits the house.
February 15, 2012 at 2:58 pm | by Mel S.Wow, is there anything this house doesn’t have?!! Why go outside when you have a gym and movie theatre in your own house!
I disagree that the furniture is appropriate for the home; it is very outdated and frumpy. I think it is quite possible to have a traditional but clean look without ruffles, patterned wallpaper and fussy furniture that looks like it was made in the 30s.
February 15, 2012 at 5:21 pm | by AlexaLove the house and the appropriate furniture, hate the million pot lights. The only room without them is the dining room and that looks great.
February 16, 2012 at 7:52 am | by ChalbeThe caption writer must be running out of precious remarks. Make up your mind whether you want to be cute or serious. I don’t believe the antebellum era drank mint juleps while seated at a wrought iron and glass patio set.
On another note, the house itself is a dream. Let’s remember we’re not buying the furniture, we’re buying the house (I wish). I’m with Cathie when I say let’s hope the new owners don’t mess with the original woodwork.
February 16, 2012 at 9:17 am | by KnotigalStunning with great potential. My offer would not include the purchase of the furniture that’s for sure but the millwork is timeless. A small tweak here and there, paint a room or 2, a concrete swimming pool installed in the back yard, and a climate controlled wine cellar in the basement and I would live out the rest of my life there.
February 16, 2012 at 9:25 am | by PatrickThe only trouble I’m having is which room would be my office! Oh, dont forget the great location!
Yes please!!!!
February 16, 2012 at 12:17 pm | by StellaI like that they updated it but still stayed true to the period. Even the seats in the home theatre look Victorian.
February 16, 2012 at 12:35 pm | by AlThe temple to refrigeration – hilarious.
February 16, 2012 at 1:29 pm | by hahIf I had the money… would buy this house, beautiful inside and out, so much character. Furniture and paint colours can always be changed, but all the trims, details, moulding, framework… gorgeous! Love the fact it still has a decent size yard and lots of parking space. Again, if I had the money…
February 16, 2012 at 2:28 pm | by CathyI heard one of the neighbors of this place is the chillest bro in Rosedale.
February 16, 2012 at 5:12 pm | by C.M.Truly definition of a Mansion…awesome!!! Inside and out.. look at that yard… Great!
February 16, 2012 at 6:37 pm | by CeeThis house was MUCH more beautiful 5 years ago when it wasn’t so over the top and full of tacky furniture. Trust me.
April 14, 2012 at 7:30 pm | by Herbert