House of the Week: $4.5 million for a Parisian-inspired townhome in the heart of the Annex
ADDRESS : 138 Bedford Road
NEIGHBOURHOOD : The Annex
AGENT : Barry Smith , Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage
PRICE : $4,450,000
THE PLACE : Bringing a little of the 8th Arrondissement to the heart of the Annex, this Parisian-inspired townhome embodies European luxury with inlaid-pattern marble floors, traditional custom millwork, plaster cornice mouldings and fireplaces in nearly every principal room (many of them are even wood-burning).
BRAGGING RIGHTS: In the early 1900s, the property is rumoured to have been home to Robert Ernest Augustus Land, leader of the Toronto branch of the Knights of St. John and Malta (now defunct) and later president of the Laura Secord National Monument Committee, which often met at this address.
BIG SELLING POINT: The home underwent a major overhaul in 1991. Now, the generous 5,000-plus square feet of space—which includes five bedrooms (all with ensuite bathrooms) and communal living areas on two floors—emphasizes quality craftsmanship and exquisite attention to detail.
POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER : Those with a green thumb may be disappointed by the lack of a backyard or front gardens, but in a city where parking is at a premium, the garage and brick motor court (with room for six cars) may not be such a bad thing.
BY THE NUMBERS :
• $4,450,000
• $17,918.05 in property taxes (2011)
• 5,000+ square feet
• 7 bathrooms
• 5 bedrooms
• 6 car parking (two-car garage)
• 5 fireplaces
• 3 skylights
• 1 wine cellar
• 1 “tree-like” chandelier
116385 Not too shabby for an ensuite bathroom 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_16.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_16/ feb12hotwbedford_16 0 0
Not too shabby for an ensuite bathroom
116384 Also, a bed 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_15.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_15/ feb12hotwbedford_15 0 0
Also, a bed
116383 The master bedroom adjoins the sitting and family rooms and has oak hardwood flooring, his-and-hers walk-in closets and an elevated fireplace that can also be viewed from the ensuite bathroom 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_14.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_14/ feb12hotwbedford_14 0 0
The master bedroom adjoins the sitting and family rooms and has oak hardwood flooring, his-and-hers walk-in closets and an elevated fireplace that can also be viewed from the ensuite bathroom
116382 The third floor contains several bedrooms 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_13.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_13/ feb12hotwbedford_13 0 0
The third floor contains several bedrooms
116381 Don’t look down 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_12.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_12/ feb12hotwbedford_12 0 0
Don’t look down
116380 The yellow line really makes that painting 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_11.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_11/ feb12hotwbedford_11 0 0
The yellow line really makes that painting
116379 Spiral staircases with wood panelling, wrought-iron banisters and art niches to house your sculpture collection 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_10.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_10/ feb12hotwbedford_10 0 0
Spiral staircases with wood panelling, wrought-iron banisters and art niches to house your sculpture collection
116378 Nap time awaits 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_9.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_9/ feb12hotwbedford_9 0 0
Nap time awaits
116377 What, you don’t have two living rooms? 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_8.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_8/ feb12hotwbedford_8 0 0
What, you don’t have two living rooms?
116386 And a fireplace, in case s'mores are on the menu 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_6.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_6/ feb12hotwbedford_6 0 0
And a fireplace, in case s’mores are on the menu
116376 In the kitchen and breakfast nook, you’ll find marble countertops and floors, an eight-by-16 pantry and access through French doors to the back courtyard 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_7.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_7/ feb12hotwbedford_7 0 0
In the kitchen and breakfast nook, you’ll find marble countertops and floors, an eight-by-16 pantry and access through French doors to the back courtyard
116374 Mirrored walls for making sure your hair looks good while you chat 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_5.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_5/ feb12hotwbedford_5 0 0
Mirrored walls for making sure your hair looks good while you chat
116373 The living room features a bay window, an oversized fireplace and wall sconces 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_4.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_4/ feb12hotwbedford_4 0 0
The living room features a bay window, an oversized fireplace and wall sconces
116372 But the chandelier (made by the previous owner from hazel branches and crystal) hogs all the attention 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_3.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_3/ feb12hotwbedford_3 0 0
But the chandelier (made by the previous owner from hazel branches and crystal) hogs all the attention
116371 The dining room has inlaid-pattern marble floors, built-in cabinetry and plaster cornice mouldings to add architectural interest 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_2.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_2/ feb12hotwbedford_2 0 0
The dining room has inlaid-pattern marble floors, built-in cabinetry and plaster cornice mouldings to add architectural interest
116370 Portraits of man and his best friend? 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_1.jpg 624 412 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_1/ feb12hotwbedford_1 0 0
Portraits of man and his best friend?
116387 The exterior, with its French-style Mansard roof, decorative niches and wrought-iron detailing, showcases a francophile sensibility 138 Bedford Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12HOTWBedford_intro.jpg 656 434 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-138-bedford-road/slide/feb12hotwbedford_intro/ feb12hotwbedford_intro 0 0
The exterior, with its French-style Mansard roof, decorative niches and wrought-iron detailing, showcases a francophile sensibility
Sticks out like a sore thumb
Hideous
Very old world. Updated decorating could do wonders. Nice space that isn’t like everything else on the market.
On the other hand, for $4mn I’d expect my own four walls, a driveway and garage, a pool, a yard, etc. etc.
Oops, description expressly says garage and court with room for six cars. My bad. TL, where’s the comment edit function?
Gorgeous – nice departure from all the modern design that seems to be everywhere – not evry place has to have exposed concrete ceilings and flush panel cabinetry. Love it all except for the blue walls. Warm and stylish.
turn into a hotel!
It would have been nice to see what the court yard off the kitchen looked like along with the wine cellar region. Otherwise an inviting house.
For $4.5mil you can do better and declutter the bloody house!! Minimal approach would be better and suited for this place…
U.G.L.Y
The outside of this house IS hideous. I thought I liked this house back in Decemeber.
But for the price, I would rather buy this place…
http://themashcanada.blogspot.com/2012/02/25-elgin-avenue-yorkville.html
A GEM! – great space for someone to make it their ‘own’…
Too bad it’s on busy Bedford and even more too bad is the house next door which is some kind of Half-Way Rooming house…all sorts coming and going…ick.
I would also like to point out that the house to the immediate left (partly visible in the picture above) is an assisted-living facility. Several men stand outside the house at all hours of the day, smoking cigarettes and sometimes panhandling agressively. NOT a good home for anyone with children!
beautiful house
Look what you can get in south ajax by the lake forr 799k
http://www.463poplar.com
time to start looking east.
My husband and i saw this house in mls. across the street.from the lake?
You would.never get this down town plus.ajax has.nice.homes.
Only 30 min downtown traffic or lake? I would.choose lake
its a VERY little of the 8th.
Only space for 6 cars?? dealbreaker right there I have 7… O well I will keep looking.
Historical bragging rights may not be relevant now since the only original part of the house is the north wall. Everythihg else is new construction and design since the renovation.
Ugly? What’s wrong with you people? The place is beautiful, opulent and elegant and unique. It’s an old world classic decor, and for a certain market.