Sale of the Week: the home that shows how far $1.1 million goes in High Park (hint: not very)
Address: 371 Parkside Drive
Neighbourhood: High Park
Agent: Petra and Ruslana Wrzesnewskyj , Re/Max Professionals Inc., Brokerage
The Property: This three-storey, six-bedroom home across the street from High Park requires work. The bones of the structure are in good condition, and some of the original fixtures are worth saving, like the leaded and stained-glass windows, high baseboards and fireplaces. The rest, though, is in poor shape. The property was sold as-is.
The History: 371 Parkside was originally built around the turn of the century. Its previous owner, a 103-year-old man, had lived most of his life in the home, and apparently saw no reason to remodel.
The Fate: Although the property was marketed to contractors and builders, ultimately it was a family that bought the place. They’ll need to renovate before they can move in. Fortunately, they have a couple things working in their favour: one, the home’s ample size eliminates the need for a pricey expansion, and two, the lack of prior renovations means fewer layers to peel back.
The Sale: With few foothold properties left in High Park, buyers are turning to homes they can purchase for the right price and renovate to their liking. This place received 11 offers. The high selling price undoubtedly has a lot to do with the house’s proximity to High Park and the downtown core.
By the Numbers:
• $1,120,000
• 3,000 square feet, approximately, not including the basement
• 130 per cent of list price
• 15 days on the market
• 11 offers
• 6 bedrooms
• 3-car private driveway
• 0 previous renovations
303104 The house looks great on the outside. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-1-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-1.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-1/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-1 0 0
303105 On the inside, not so great. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-2-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-2.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-2/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-2 0 0
303106 Here's the dining room. It's currently one of the nicer rooms in the house. The antique character really shines through. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-3-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-3.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-3/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-3 0 0
303108 Here's the living room. Cool bird statue. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-4-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-4.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-4/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-4 0 0
303109 The kitchen is visible in the background, here. Upstairs, there are six bedrooms (plus an office and a sunroom) spread across two floors. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-5-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-5.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-5/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-5 0 0
303110 This bedroom is obviously not ready for occupation, but at least the new owner won't need to strip it down to studs before the renovations can begin. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-6-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-6.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-6/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-6 0 0
303111 The second-floor sunroom. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-7-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-7.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-7/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-7 0 0
303112 The master bedroom could also use some love. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-8-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-8.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-8/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-8 0 0
303113 And here's what the house looks like from the back. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-9-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-9.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-9/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-371-parkside-drive-9 0 0
But: this house, with its original structure, features (pocket doors!), and more, IS worth the $1.1 million price tag, unlike the bland, already-renovated places that are usually featured.
Buy it an live with it then. Don’t let the asbestos, small rooms and worn electrics and plumbing damp your enthusiasm.
I think this house is a ‘wee’ bit pre-Asbestos.
The house is in a great location but I’d have trouble buying a 1 million dollar home in this current shape….
Just sold post renovation for 1.8M this week. Wonder why the family decided to move after renovating it?