Sale of the Week: the $1.3-million reno that proves Parkdale isn’t gentrification-proof
Address: 39 Gwynne Avenue
Neighbourhood: Parkdale
Agent: Howard Esakov , Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc., Brokerage and Michael Gauer , Royal LePage Your Community Realty, Brokerage
The Property: This completely renovated, four-bedroom detached home has contemporary finishes throughout, a modern kitchen with custom counters and a third-floor master bedroom with an en suite. The self-contained basement suite shares the rest of the home’s modern aesthetic, but has its own entrances.
The History: When the sellers originally bought the property, it was “a total wreck” inside, according to the selling agent. Belco Contracting and Renovations replaced everything down to the bricks. The seller even arranged for land to be transferred from a neighbouring site to create parking.
The Fate: The recent proliferation of amenities in nearby Liberty Village has made the southern part of Parkdale more alluring to young professionals like the ones who bought 39 Gwynne.
The Sale: Both the buying and selling agents agree that updated properties like this one are rare in Parkdale south of Queen, which helped generate interest in the listing. The home sold after two weeks on the market.
By the Numbers:
• $1,300,000
• 3,213.5 square feet, including the basement suite
• 90 per cent of list price
• 14 days on the market
• 5 washrooms
• 4+1 bedrooms
• 3 offers
• 2 parking spaces
• 1 basement suite
302290 The house is located in South Parkdale, where updated properties are scarce. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-1-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-1.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-1/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-1 0 0
302291 The living room has all the modern comforts: cool fireplace, pot lighting. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-2-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-2.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-2/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-2 0 0
302292 The kitchen is sleek, but the owner might need a step ladder to bring all those cabinets within reach. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-3-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-3.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-3/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-3 0 0
302294 There are three bedrooms on the second floor of the house. This is one of them. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-5-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-5.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-5/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-5 0 0
302295 Another second-floor bedroom. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-6-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-6.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-6/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-6 0 0
302296 Here's the main second-floor washroom. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-7-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-7.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-7/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-7 0 0
302297 The master bedroom has the third floor to itself. The sitting area is visible here in the background, and there's also an en suite washroom. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-8-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-8.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-8/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-8 0 0
302298 The house also has a separate basement suite that could fetch a bit of money on the rental market. Good luck finding a tenant who can afford to furnish the place like this, though. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-9-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-9.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-9/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-9 0 0
302299 Here's the basement bedroom, with its own door to the backyard. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-10-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-10.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-10/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-10 0 0
302300 And the basement washroom. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-11-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-11.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-11/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-11 0 0
302301 And the backyard is ready to be covered in climbing plants. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-12-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-12.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue/slide/toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-12/ toronto-sale-of-the-week-39-gwynne-avenue-12 0 0
For a 3,200 square foot stand alone house in downtown TO I think this is a deal…. Kitchen is gorgeous. Im assuming those last couple of pics must be of the finished basement?
Sounds like a good deal. That rear entrance to the basement needs railings though.
I like how they kept the Victorian charm of the house on the outside but made it really modern inside – and the Juliet balconies are a great touch. I think the renovators did a really good job but I agree, they do need railings to the rear stairs.
The last couple of pictures are from the basement apartment, and the renovations were very well done! A railing was installed at the back entrance to the basement, but the photos were taken beforehand.
This is beautifully done. Shocking that homes in Parkdale have broken the 1M mark.
Who the hell ever said that Parkdale was gentrification proof? Some of the houses out that way are massive, it has good transit and highway links, not to mention a booming restaurant scene and High Park. Why would it be shocking that a fully reno’d, large Victorian would sell for over a million?
Fantastic!! I love it…. worth every penny….why would someone pay this amount of $$$ to live in a match box in one of those condos downtown when you can have this beautiful house?! Love the kitchen – done with class with the sink in the middle – outstanding. Seishin- you must be from Scarborough to make a comment like a house in parkdale brekaing the $1m mark – really now?!!
Agreed. That region of Parkdale (around Melbourne ave) has had multiple homes well over the $1M mark. It wont be long before quality homes this size in Parkdale will be going for quite a bit higher. Its a pretty happening corner of the city right now…..
Of course PD is gentrification proof–there will the Johnny come latelies who buy up the old victorians (as they’ve been doing for at least a decade), but you’re never going to force out the legions of have nots in the Lord Dufferin and other towers in the hood–and they need places to eat and shop too. Parkdale is the archetypal mixed-income neighbourhood but it looks like there will be huge wealth disparities if these housing prices continue. Should keep things interesting at Parkdale PS. If you wanna live in Parkdale, you gotta take the good with the crack and prosties.
the decor is more missisauga than Parkdale. BLAH