House of the Week: $3.1 million for a century-old mansion in Rosedale with a serious wine cellar
Address: 65 Highland Avenue
Neighbourhood: Rosedale
Agent: Janet Lindsay, Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage
Price: $3,095,000
The Place: A six-bedroom, six-bathroom brick Rosedale mansion, about halfway between Bloor and St. Clair and steps from Rosedale Park.
The History: Originally owned by James Stanley McLean (the meat packing magnate who would go on to found Canada Packers, which is now known as Maple Leaf Foods), this home was built in the early 1910s. The owners, a family who bought the place in 1996, have revamped the kitchen, removed some walls on the third floor and added a wine cellar in the basement.
Big Selling Point: The wine cellar, made with antique brick and stained oak, can house an impressive 1,400 bottles. For less Dionysian buyers, the home’s two driveways, one off Roxborough and one off Highland, mean never having to play parking Tetris with the family cars again.
Possible Deal Breaker: The kitchen, a custom build by Falcon Kitchens , is impressive—but if the buyer’s style is more modern glass and steel than French country chic, they may need to set aside some money for renovations.
By the Numbers:
• $3,095,000
• $20,392.46
• 5,112 square feet (plus 1,612 on the lower level)
• 6 bedrooms
• 6 bathrooms
• 3 fireplaces
• 2 driveways
• 1 wine cellar
320644 The home was built in the early 1910s and originally owned by meat packing magnate James Stanley McLean. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-1-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-1.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-1/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-1 0 0
320645 The foyer has plenty of room for the large musical instrument of the owner's choice. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-2-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-2.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-2/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-2 0 0
320646 The living room has warp-around, floor-to-ceiling windows. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-3-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-3.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-3/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-3 0 0
320647 The dining room can seat 12, and it has a wood-burning fireplace. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-4-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-4.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-4/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-4 0 0
320648 There's another fireplace in the family room. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-5-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-5.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-5/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-5 0 0
320649 The kitchen island is topped with marble, and all the cabinetry is custom. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-6-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-6.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-6/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-6 0 0
320650 A small breakfast area has a door to the back deck. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-7-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-7.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-7/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-7 0 0
320651 Although it's on the main floor, the deck is actually elevated over the backyard. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-8-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-8.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-8/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-8 0 0
320652 There are three bedrooms on the second floor. This one is being used as an office. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-9-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-9.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-9/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-9 0 0
320653 Another bedroom, with a pretty good amount of closet space. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-10-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-10.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-10/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-10 0 0
320654 The master bedroom looks a little cramped in this shot... https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-11-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-11.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-11/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-11 0 0
320655 ...until you realize that beyond the archway is a window-lined private sitting area that's bigger than the bedroom itself. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-12-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-12.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-12/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-12 0 0
320656 The master bedroom's en suite bathroom has a marble-topped custom vanity, and it's split into separate "his" and "hers" sections. (This is the "hers" section.) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-13-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-13.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-13/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-13 0 0
320657 There are three more bedrooms on the third floor. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-14-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-14.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-14/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-14 0 0
320658 This bedroom is being used as an office. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-15-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-15.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-15/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-15 0 0
320659 This bedroom looks small from this angle, but it has a large sitting area that's not visible in the frame. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-16-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-16.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-16/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-16 0 0
320660 And here's that bedroom's en suite bathroom. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-17-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-17.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-17/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-17 0 0
320661 This is the lower-level rec room. Seems like the owner is a little bit into music. The glass doors lead to the backyard. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-18-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-18.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-18/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-18 0 0
320662 Also on the lower level: a pretty serious wine cellar. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-19-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-19.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-19/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-19 0 0
320663 And there's also a bit of storage. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-20-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-20.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-20/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-20 0 0
320664 Here's what the house looks like from the rear. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-21-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-21.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-21/ toronto-house-of-the-week-65-highland-avenue-21 0 0
Could never afford this in a million years, but it sure is beautiful!
Meh. I’ve seen nicer wine cellars. And it’s full of cheap wine.
Love it. Superb understated taste.
Holy shit they have a B3. Great house.
3.1Mil for a house and a crap little BBQ. LOL