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Real Estate News

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

The 3,000-square-foot Victorian comes with period pieces, dramatic beams and arches, beautiful barn boards, and a hidden pool in the backyard

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House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

Neighbourhood: Beaconsfield Village Price: $2.8 million Last sold for: $327,000 in 2006 Size: 3,000 square feet Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Agent: Suzanne Senst, Royal LePage


The place

A three-bedroom, three-bathroom century home on Argyle Street in Beaconsfield Village. Sitting on a 26-foot-wide lot, it comes with a pool, a lush garden and an addition overlooking the backyard. It’s also within walking distance of Little Portugal, Trinity Bellwoods Park and the many amenities of West Queen West.

The history

Built in 1898, this Victorian was purchased in 2006 by Michelle Donnelly, a creative director, and her husband. The house was crumbling to the ground at the time, so the two brought on Levitt Goodman Architects to restore it to its former glory—and then some. Donnelly took pains to restore the original features while adding plenty of contemporary touches, incorporating reclaimed woods, vintage fixtures and tasteful finishings.

Related: $7 million for a red-brick by Casa Loma with a staircase that looks like a sculpture

The tour

Walking through the front door, guests are greeted by this period-inspired library with narrow-plank floors. It’s sunken, which gives the space an added sense of grandeur. 

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House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

Ideal for bookworms and sleepy pooches, the room also features a retrofitted vintage bookshelf from Smash Salvage, rumoured to have come from an abandoned mansion in Rio de Janeiro.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

Here’s a reverse view of the library, with tall bay windows theatrically set behind one of the house’s original arches. A gas fireplace warms the room from the hallway. Those support beams were designed to give the space more drama.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

Down the hallway is the open kitchen, with a view of the living area and backyard.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

While the appliances are all luxury and stainless steel, the details are vintage. For example, Donnelly reclaimed wood from the home’s original doors for the cabinets and pantry.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

A quick detour to the adjacent powder room showcases a reclaimed schoolhouse sink and beehive ceramic flooring.

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House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

The living area comes with 10-foot industrial glass doors.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

This block of re-milled barn board is the highlight of the space. It runs the width of the house and extends outside, above the soffit and up the addition.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

Here’s what the addition looks like from the backyard.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

At the heart of the garden is a dining area.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

There’s a nine-by-18-foot pool hidden within the forest. 

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House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

Back inside, the staircase is equipped with a Victorian newel post.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

The second-floor landing is flanked by two charming nooks.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

Here’s a closer look at the reading nook outside the main bedroom. Donnelly relocated the original main floor fireplace mantel, which was no longer functional, and installed it here as an ornament.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

In the main bedroom, light streams through the huge original windows. That’s a vintage dresser on the far wall, which Donnelly converted to a washing table with a sink.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

A reverse view of the suite reveals the walk-in closet.

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House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

Now, a closer look at the walk-in. 

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

This is the second bedroom, overlooking the backyard

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

Donnelly set up the third bedroom as a study.

House of the Week: $2.8 million for a Beaconsfield Village century home hidden by a wall of greenery

Have a home that’s about to hit the market? Send your property to realestate@torontolife.com.  

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Erin Hershberg is a freelance writer with nearly two decades of experience in the lifestyle sector. She currently lives in downtown Toronto with her husband and two children.

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