Home of the Week: $1.5 million to live in a century-old church, steps from High Park
Home of the Week: $1.5 million to live in a century-old church, steps from High Park
ADDRESS: 384 Sunnyside Ave., Suite 303
NEIGHBOURHOOD: High Park-Swansea
AGENT: Lynn Tribbling, Coldwell Banker Terrequity Realty
PRICE: $1,500,000
THE PLACE: This penthouse is the crown jewel of the Abbey Lofts, featuring the building’s most church-like details, such as leaded-glass windows and exposed limestone walls. Steps away from High Park, this church-turned-condo complex has a long history. Built in 1911 for a Methodist parish, the structure switched affiliations a few times—United in 1925, then evangelical in 1970—before turning into residences in 2008.
BRAGGING RIGHTS: Beyond the obvious “we live in a bell tower” boast, new residents can show off their books in the many main-floor shelving units. Between the library vibe and the stone walls, the place has a heady, Halloween feel.
BIG SELLING POINT: The rooftop terrace, complete with turrets, provides the perfect place to relive childhood games of King of the Castle.
POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER: Those susceptible to heebie-jeebies when visiting churches should probably look elsewhere.
BY THE NUMBERS:
• 2,700 square feet
• $1,396 monthly maintenance fees
• 550 square-feet terrace
• 99 years old
• 4 levels
• 3 former religious denominations
• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• 1 media room
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- Front garden and patio
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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- Balcony access from office
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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- Private balcony off the master suite
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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- Washroom
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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- Bedroom
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- Cathedral window in the living room
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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- Dining room
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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- Dressing room
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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- Media room
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- Front entrance
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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- Kitchen
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- Library
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- Living room
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- Living room
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- Master bedroom
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- Master ensuite washroom
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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- Office
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- Outside view of family room
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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- Washroom
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- View from patio towards High Park
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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- Rooftop patio
- 303—384 Sunnyside Avenue
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I love this…..
Live just like the hunchback of Notre Dame!
Not sure if it’s the furniture or the photography angle, but this place doesn’t feel inviting at all…
Saw this unit last fall. Fantastic space but very hot inside and was not even a hot day. Great for a plant lover.
I absolutely LUVV the uniquness of Unit 303! I think the decor is both interesting and appealing with furniture and artwork enhancing the various rooms spaces and shapes. The ‘media’ room with rich colours throughout-predominantly ‘red’ my most fave colour- and including the use of aboriginal artwork, is terrific! Yes, many of the colours used in other rooms are on the coolish palette, yet, spaces with wood floors have rich hues and tones in that wood and the large book shelf is indicative of that.Other rooms have different textures through the use of marble and carpet. The use of the lovely yellow in the bathroom is particularly pleasing to the eye and generates a very warm hue thoughout this room.
I feel that everything in 303 was obviously chosen with care by someone who knows how to plan, use and be comfortable in such an unusual space. Additional punches of colour could add more warmth and, with any creativity within their soul, a new owner could easily warm the space up through the introduction of brightly coloured cushions to chairs, a new duvet cover rich in warm colours and texture yet still conducive to a good night’s sleep! The bed style is not the best-what’s that thingee under it-and should be changed for something more traditional-the floors are beautiful in this room though!
All in all, this is an extraordinary space requiring an extraordinary person to live in it and feel good about themselves and their surroundings!
Hey, that front garden and patio belongs to another unit!