House of the Week: $3.4 million for an Annex home that looks old, but in a good way
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Address: 52 Elgin Avenue
Neighbourhood: Annex
Agent: Andrew Bolton , Keller Williams Realty Centres Brokerage
Price: $3,425,000
The Place: A restored heritage property in the Annex, with plenty of original features.
Bragging Rights: Well-crafted details give the house an air of permanence that most newly renovated buildings lack. The herringbone floors with brass inlay are a particularly nice touch, and so are the decorative plaster ceilings.
Big Selling Point: Although the house was originally built in 1898, it has some contemporary comforts. The Scavolini kitchen has marble countertops, and there’s also a Sonos home sound system, complete with iPad control panels.
Possible Deal Breaker: Finding parking in this part of town is a nightmare on a good day, and this home doesn’t come with a spot. Then again, with Yorkville in easy walking distance, the owners might consider giving up their wheels.
By The Numbers:
• $3,425,000
• $17,705 in property taxes (2013)
• 2,800 square feet
• 1,280-square-foot finished basement
• 340-bottle wine cellar
• 116 years old
• 4 bathrooms
• 4 fireplaces
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 storeys
• 1 home sound system
278932 This house was built in 1898, and it's part of the East Annex heritage conservation district House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-01.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - www.TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-01/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-01 0 0
278933 The living room comes with a fireplace, but the new owners will need to get their own oversized photos and dead-animal skins House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-02.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-02/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-02 0 0
278934 This dining room has herringbone wood flooring and wood panelling. It's all made of red oak House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-03.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-03/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-03 0 0
278935 The kitchen flooring is ash parquet, and the ceiling has some decorative plaster House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-04.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-04/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-04 0 0
278936 Another look at the kitchen House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-05.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-05/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-05 0 0
278937 At the back of the house is this family room. The doors lead to the backyard House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-06.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-06/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-06 0 0
278938 And here's a view back through the main floor, from the family room House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-07.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-07/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-07 0 0
278939 There are three bedrooms on the second floor of the house House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-08.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-08/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-08 0 0
278940 Here's one bedroom, located at the front of the house House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-09.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-09/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-09 0 0
278941 This bedroom is being used as an office House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-10.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-10/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-10 0 0
278942 The two secondary bedrooms share this washroom (with a claw-foot tub, of course) House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-11.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-11/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-11 0 0
278943 And here's the master bedroom. It has custom built-in closets and an elaborately coffered ceiling House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-12.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-12/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-12 0 0
278944 The master bedroom's en suite washroom has heated floors and walls. Cross your eyes and the pattern resolves into a Magic Eye image of a dog riding a skateboard (okay, not really) House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-13.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-13/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-13 0 0
278945 The basement has this rec room and a fourth bedroom House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-14.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-14/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-14 0 0
278946 And there's also a wine cellar House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-15.jpg 667 1000 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-15/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-15 0 0
278947 And here's a view of the house from the back House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue House of the Week: 52 Elgin Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-16.jpg 1000 667 {"copyright":"\u00a9 Thea Menagh - www.TorontoRealEstatePhotographer.com"} https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-16/ toronto-house-of-the-week-52-elgin-avenue-16 0 0
Easy on the HDR there, amateur photographer/realtor.
$3.4M and no parking spot..
Thanks for the suggestion, Paultee. The HDR post-processing settings are a matter of personal choice, and some of my real estate clients actually like the additional punch extra clarity brings to my photos. But you’re right, HDR can
certainly be overdone. I’ve actually been shooting real estate in Toronto for
over 40 years – and cameras, computer software, techniques and preferences
change a great deal from year-to-year.
As the agent for this property, let me assure you that there is indeed parking – 2 rental spots across the street and a city permit at the curb. Like most international cities, living in Toronto’s core, walkable to every amenity you could want is the value here.