House of the Week: $1 million for a six-bedroom on the short strip of King West that overlooks the lake
The lake-facing exterior
ADDRESS: 1584 King St. W.
NEIGHBOURHOOD: South Parkdale
AGENT: Mike Donia, Re/Max Realty
PRICE: $1,079,000
THE PLACE: This red-brick behemoth sits on the gorgeous-but-forgotten strip of King West that peers over Lake Ontario (between Beaty and Queen West). The once-regal pocket of old Toronto is somewhat shabby, but with trendy Roncesvalles and Queen West intersecting nearby, the slow magic of gentrification has renewed interest in the large homes of the area. The decor here may be out of date, but unlike its neighbours, 1584 King has not been divided into flats. It’s been kept in great condition, capturing some of the tony magic of Toronto of yore with an expansive kitchen, six bedrooms and stunning arched windows. The interior is replete with wood: floors, staircases, mouldings and door trims.
BRAGGING RIGHTS: In the west end, houses of this size don’t get much closer to Lake Ontario (a pedestrian bridge to the shore is just steps away). The views are spectacular and give the lucky residents an opportunity afforded to few Torontonians—a chance to look down on the Boulevard Club.
BIG SELLING POINT: Being ahead of the curve in the housing market. Very close to Roncey and a glut of new upmarket hangouts (Cowbell, Parts and Labour, Bar Salumi , Local Kitchen), this neighbourhood is hot but hasn’t experienced the price spike of West Queen West—yet.
POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER: The house sits beside the ever-busy Gardiner Expressway and uncomfortably close to the seemingly never-ending Roncesvalles streetcar construction; peaceful Saturday mornings might be a thing of the past.
BY THE NUMBERS:
• $4,825 in annual taxes
• 10-foot ceilings
• 6 bedrooms
• 5 parking spaces
• 5 bathrooms
• 3 storeys
• 1 cliff
• 1 games room
• 1 den
43692 The parkette across the street 1584 King Street West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res9.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-1-million-for-a-six-bedroom-on-that-short-strip-of-king-west-that-overlooks-the-lake/slide/1584-king-street-w-hi-res9/ 1584-king-street-w-hi-res9 0 0
The parkette across the street
43691 Kitchen 1584 King Street West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res8.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-1-million-for-a-six-bedroom-on-that-short-strip-of-king-west-that-overlooks-the-lake/slide/1584-king-street-w-hi-res8/ 1584-king-street-w-hi-res8 0 0
Kitchen
43690 Billiard room 1584 King Street West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-1-million-for-a-six-bedroom-on-that-short-strip-of-king-west-that-overlooks-the-lake/slide/1584-king-street-w-hi-res6/ 1584-king-street-w-hi-res6 0 0
Billiard room
43689 Dining room 1584 King Street West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res5.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-1-million-for-a-six-bedroom-on-that-short-strip-of-king-west-that-overlooks-the-lake/slide/1584-king-street-w-hi-res5/ 1584-king-street-w-hi-res5 0 0
Dining room
43688 Washroom 1584 King Street West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-1-million-for-a-six-bedroom-on-that-short-strip-of-king-west-that-overlooks-the-lake/slide/1584-king-street-w-hi-res4/ 1584-king-street-w-hi-res4 0 0
Washroom
43687 Back patio 1584 King Street West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-1-million-for-a-six-bedroom-on-that-short-strip-of-king-west-that-overlooks-the-lake/slide/1584-king-street-w-hi-res3/ 1584-king-street-w-hi-res3 0 0
Back patio
43686 The nearby beach 1584 King Street West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1584-King-Street-W.-hi-res1.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-1-million-for-a-six-bedroom-on-that-short-strip-of-king-west-that-overlooks-the-lake/slide/1584-king-street-w-hi-res1/ 1584-king-street-w-hi-res1 0 0
The nearby beach
43685 The lake-facing exterior 1584 King Street West https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Exterior.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Exterior.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Exterior.jpg 655 561 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-1-million-for-a-six-bedroom-on-that-short-strip-of-king-west-that-overlooks-the-lake/slide/exterior-5/ exterior-5 0 0
The lake-facing exterior
Funny I used to live around the corner from this on Wilson Park Road and I can say I am blinking at the price tag. Poor owners not that it wasn’t nice looking was the neighborhood it was placed in. I moved because of hookers working on the corner of my street on King St and the ones on Triller were no joke out there day and night. Standing at the bus stop alone was a real treat myself threatening to pelt any would be John with an egg for even thinking I was one.
I would even get harrassed in my driveway of the place I was renting. And all the while up the street was a 1 million dollar would be palace. I will bet the owners were fed up by the street vagrants and hookers no doubt unless city council or whomever gets rid of these people unless you get someone who doesn’t know the area or the street and you hope they won’t accost you on the street. Good luck to the poor realtor and carry some pepper spray or a loud alarm.