The Kendal entrance to Spadina Station is built into an old house. Is it inhabited?

The Kendal entrance to Spadina Station is built into an old house. Is it inhabited? Could I rent it?—Andrew Moore, THE ANNEX

You’re in luck. The 19th-century abode at 85 Spadina Road, which really does have a subway in its basement, is up for rent. Sort of. The catch, however, is that it’s in a state of disrepair—$100,000 or more in renovations needed—and you’d have to foot the bill.

The house owes its existence to the TTC’s architectural awakening around the time the Spadina line was built. Instead of being demolished, it was propped up on gigantic rails and pushed back while the station was dug beneath it. Then it was plunked back into place, and the station entrance was built into its ground floor.

The house was originally meant to be its own independent subway station—Kendal station. But the TTC realized it could save money by connecting Kendal to the existing Spadina Station, further down the block. Legend has it that those wanting to make a clean escape from a bad date would ask to be dropped off at 85 Spadina Road, walk through the front door, and never be seen again.