House of the Week: $4.3 million for a regal Georgian on a sprawling Forest Hill lot

By Simone Olivero | March 21, 2012

By Simone Olivero | 03/21/2012

NEIGHBOURHOOD: Forest Hill South

AGENT: Nissan Michael, RE/MAX Unique

PRICE: $4,300,000

THE PLACE: This grand Georgian sits on a sprawling lot in well-established Forest Hill South. Extras like English-country landscaping and a circular driveway ooze prestige.

BRAGGING RIGHTS: Even in a neighbourhood known for its Georgians, this redbrick revival stands out for its period details. Previous owners have carefully maintained the integrity of the style with paneled doors, a portico over the entry and strictly symmetrical construction.

BIG SELLING POINT: The tiered backyard will make for some epic summer parties. Fully landscaped, it contains a play area for the kids, a patio area for dining and a covered seating area set back from the house (so the late-night stragglers won’t disturb those sleeping inside).

POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER: Though the home has been tastefully decorated, some of the paint choices—like the baby pink bedroom and the generous use of black—are idiosyncratic. Still, nothing a couple layers of primer and a new paint job can’t fix.

BY THE NUMBERS:
• $4,300,000
• $24,042 in property taxes (2012)
• 5,000+ square feet of living space
• 8-car parking (including a 2 car garage)
• 7 bathrooms
• 6 bedrooms
• 3 fireplaces
• 3 skylights

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We’re sure they’ll clean up the leaves before you sit down

The lower section of the backyard has a covered area for lounging and a mini-yard (for croquet?)

Paving stones create a space for outdoor eating and entertaining

When the kids get tired of the jungle gym, there are still trees to climb

French doors line the back of the house, leading out to a landscaped, two-level backyard

A gym on the third story has three skylights, a fireplace and beamed ceilings

An extra family room with a television means no more arguing in the video store

Up on the third floor, another bathroom has grey tiles and slanted ceilings

Beige subway tile in a second-floor bathroom brings an urban vibe inside

It’s not often that you find a charcoal nursery. The fourth bedroom is smaller, though it has a large walk-in closet

..and a tiny ensuite bathroom of its own, with a claw foot tub

The third bedroom is girly with powder pink walls and a four-poster bed…

Tiled marble walls galore in the second bedroom’s ensuite

The second bedroom has custom panelled walls in robin’s egg blue, a walk-in closet and its own ensuite bathroom

The ensuite also has his and hers dressing areas

A double-sink vanity in the master ensuite

Through an adjoining walk-in closet, the master ensuite. Bathe in style (if not privacy) in a large soaker tub and an enclosed glass shower

In the master bedroom, a neutral grey palette, save the black wood flooring

The main floor powder room has an L-shaped wall-mounted wooden vanity, minimalist wall-mounted faucets and a big vase of hydrangeas

The current owners have turned their solarium into a playroom (we hope Elmo likes sunshine)

A built-in desk facing the recessed family room

Storage space for every last kitchen gadget

A large centre island has seating for four, with room left over for a workstation

Industrial light fixtures could make anyone feel like an iron chef

Invite the hordes over for dinner—the chef’s kitchen has three (three!) fridges, a stainless steel gas range and a double oven

The living room opens onto both an office and a solarium

An office off the living room features four sets of spectacular leaded and stained glass French doors

The formal dining room off the entryway accommodates a 10-person table and a crystal chandelier

Built-in shelving and cabinetry flank a wall-mounted television and a fireplace

A sunken family room off the kitchen has coffered ceilings, six sets of French doors leasing out to the backyard, and a sectional that seats eight (or more, if you get cozy)

The house was extensively renovated in 2010

The arched entryway and paneled door are classic Georgian details

A regal Georgian home sitting on a large lot in Forest Hill South

12 thoughts on “House of the Week: $4.3 million for a regal Georgian on a sprawling Forest Hill lot”

Big Al says:

March 21, 2012 at 6:03 pm

One of the nicest homes I have seen on TL. Hard to gauge the value with a price tag of $4.3 mil, but the renovations look impeccable. Might need to find room for a pool or at least a big hot tub in that backyard!
Perry says:

March 22, 2012 at 12:51 am

Absolutely stunning, the exterior doesn’t do it justice, but the interior is phenomenal. That is definitely my ideal kitchen with built in fridges.
Pee says:

March 22, 2012 at 2:06 am

A real & true family home. Stunning and very tastefully decorated. It goes to show that less is best…
impeachford says:

March 22, 2012 at 6:22 am

i enjoy this house but i have to disagree with Perry a wee bit in that i prefer the outside to the inside. the inside could be the interior of any recently reno’d space…the outside speaks to a different era in this city…
Mike says:

March 22, 2012 at 8:51 am

great house and well put together!
hop says:

March 22, 2012 at 4:28 pm

The french doors leading to the yard are almost too beautiful.
Ignatz says:

March 23, 2012 at 4:29 pm

Wow, gorgeous property. Never thought I would like a charcoal dining room. Only questionable feature seems to be the black flooring in the master and seemingly different flooring throughout the second level. Otherwise stunning home in every way inside and out.
mmm says:

March 26, 2012 at 12:54 am

I have to agree, the best property featured on TL. VERY NICE.
Eric says:

March 27, 2012 at 10:28 am

Not enough indoor parking. If I owned this home, I’d likely have at least four cars.
Methinks says:

March 28, 2012 at 2:37 pm

Stunning home, beautifully staged. Love the reno work.
Jon Levy says:

April 25, 2012 at 11:54 am

Not surprising that Nissan Michael was the agent here, he’s a class act and did a great job selling a house for my family as well.
Tony says:

May 4, 2012 at 4:49 pm

Typical ‘builder’ approach….try to sell an aseembly of mid range flooring, fixtures and millwork as a top shelf designed interior….then stage it to reflect a non-existent lifestyle and voila…. a massive profit. There’s nothing special to this renovation at all….there are so many details that are not consistent and executed solely for a ‘wow’ factor. The price in my opinion is all about the location and maybe the size of the home….the finishes don’t merit half the asking price.