House of the Week: $2.2 million for a 140-year-old Uxbridge home with a backyard playground

Location: Uxbridge
Price: $2,225,000 Last sold for: $2,400,000 in 2022 Size: 3,763 square feet plus a 1,522-square-foot basement Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3 Parking spots: 8 Real estate agent: Astrid Willemsen and Nicoline Farrill, Chestnut Park

The place

A five-bedroom, three-bathroom Victorian standout on the edge of downtown Uxbridge. The home comes with a single-car garage, a driveway that fits seven, multiple decks and a bunch of fun in the backyard. It’s within walking distance of the businesses on Brock Street and several parks. And motorists are a short drive from Durham’s network of highways.

The history

The house was first purchased in 1885 for $2,200 by Thomas Chapple, a lawyer and member of Ontario’s legislature. In 1948, a local doctor purchased the home, using part of it as his medical office. The current owners, a family with three children, bought the house in 2022. Thanks to new work opportunities, the family is relocating and putting their home up for sale.

Related: $1.95 million for Marjorie Harris’s garden escape in the Annex

The tour

Here’s a closer look at the façade, with its large porch and bay window. The Township of Uxbridge commissioned that plaque detailing the property’s history, but it hasn’t yet been officially designated as a heritage home.

The original double doors lead to the foyer, which has heated herringbone tiles. The rest of the home is lined with engineered hardwood.

In a twist on the traditional layout, the owners moved the kitchen to the front of the house. It comes with an island that seats five and walks out to a porch that does double duty as an outdoor dining room.

JennAir appliances are all over the kitchen, including a six-burner gas cooktop, a double-door fridge and a recessed microwave.

This view highlights the curvy staircase and floral-themed dining room.

The dining room is equipped with a wine fridge under the window, flanked by open wine racks.

Beyond the dining room is the office, with built-in shelving and a daybed.

That door in the office leads to the garage.

The living room is on the opposite side of the main floor. The fireplace—with a dramatic tile surround—looks like a wood burner but is actually electric. There are also two walkouts to the front porch here.

Take note of the ceiling detail, framed like a painting by crown moulding.

This mudroom is attached to the living room and walks out to the garden. It also has heated floors and more storage.

Next door is this family room, with more funky wallpaper and a view of the backyard.

Now for upstairs. There are four bedrooms and two bathrooms on the second floor as well as that small balcony on the right overlooking the neighbourhood.

The main bedroom has a walk-in closet and an ensuite bathroom.

Here’s the U-shaped closet. There’s plenty of built-in storage here, with hanging racks and pull-out drawers.

And here’s the ensuite, with a glass shower, a double vanity and more heated floors.

This secondary bedroom has a built-in banquette with cabinets underneath.

Many of the home’s doors have their original ornate doorknobs.

The shared bathroom comes with a clawfoot tub (not pictured), a glass shower, two single vanities and white penny-round tile flooring.

There’s also a laundry room upstairs.

The backyard has a saltwater pool, a hot tub, a trampoline and plenty of space to host.

Finally, a look at the poolside lounge in the summer.

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