House of the Week: $3.5 million for a glass-and-steel home perched above the ravine in Hogg’s Hollow
ADDRESS : 2 Hedgewood Road
NEIGHBOURHOOD : Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills
AGENTS : Barry Cohen , RE/MAX Realtron Realty
PRICE : $3,495,000
THE PLACE : An unconventional glass-and-steel home in Hogg’s Hollow with four bedrooms, an indoor hot tub and an expansive deck.
BRAGGING RIGHTS : Two well-regarded architects have left their marks on the place. First designed by Peter Hamilton Architects, the house won the Canadian Housing Design Council Award in 1974. Then, in the late 1990s, Gordon Ridgely (known for designing Georgian-style homes for some of the city’s poshest residents) purchased the property and remodelled it to its current updated form.
BIG SELLING POINT: Feeling completely alone in the middle of a city. The property is at the farthest end of Hedgewood Road, and has a teetering view down the ravine.
POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER : The multi-level construction and unusual room shapes could make arranging furniture a test of skill. You’ll need to think beyond the usual ”couch, two chairs and a coffee table” scenario.
BY THE NUMBERS :
• $3,495,000
• $19,224.39 in property taxes (2011)
• 4 bedrooms
• 4 bathrooms
• 2 storeys
• 2 fireplaces
• 1 indoor hot tub
• 1 sauna
• 1 wine cellar
• 1 exercise room with a view
146573 The exterior stairs leading to the front of the house from the upper deck 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_24.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_24/ june12hotwhedgewood_24 0 0
The exterior stairs leading to the front of the house from the upper deck
146574 The hillside balcony at the back of the house 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_23.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_23/ june12hotwhedgewood_23 0 0
The hillside balcony at the back of the house
146575 The deck 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_22.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_22/ june12hotwhedgewood_22 0 0
The deck
146576 The back of the house has a raised deck 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_21.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_21/ june12hotwhedgewood_21 0 0
The back of the house has a raised deck
146577 The hot tub 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_20.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_20/ june12hotwhedgewood_20 0 0
The hot tub
146578 The sunken recreation and sitting area features a hot tub, a sauna, a glass-walled shower and a separate room with a water closet and vanity 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_19/ june12hotwhedgewood_19 0 0
The sunken recreation and sitting area features a hot tub, a sauna, a glass-walled shower and a separate room with a water closet and vanity
146582 One of the home’s four bedrooms 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_15/ june12hotwhedgewood_15 0 0
One of the home’s four bedrooms
146579 A sunken whirlpool tub and separate glass shower with a glass block wall in the master ensuite 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_18/ june12hotwhedgewood_18 0 0
A sunken whirlpool tub and separate glass shower with a glass block wall in the master ensuite
146580 The master ensuite has a slate tile floor, a vanity with double sinks, and a suspended mirror cabinet 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_17/ june12hotwhedgewood_17 0 0
The master ensuite has a slate tile floor, a vanity with double sinks, and a suspended mirror cabinet
146581 The master bedroom has hardwood floors and a walk-in closet with mirrored doors 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_16/ june12hotwhedgewood_16 0 0
The master bedroom has hardwood floors and a walk-in closet with mirrored doors
146583 An open-tread wood staircase with metal mesh railing and a metal handrail leads to the upper and lower levels 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_14/ june12hotwhedgewood_14 0 0
An open-tread wood staircase with metal mesh railing and a metal handrail leads to the upper and lower levels
146584 The foyer 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_13/ june12hotwhedgewood_13 0 0
The foyer
146585 The exercise room opens out to the balcony overlooking the ravine 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_12/ june12hotwhedgewood_12 0 0
The exercise room opens out to the balcony overlooking the ravine
146586 The family room has a wood-burning fireplace, complete with a slate mantel and surround 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_11/ june12hotwhedgewood_11 0 0
The family room has a wood-burning fireplace, complete with a slate mantel and surround
146587 The library boasts three walls of built-in bookcases 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_10/ june12hotwhedgewood_10 0 0
The library boasts three walls of built-in bookcases
146589 The den/sitting room has a gas fireplace with flat screen above 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_8.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_8/ june12hotwhedgewood_8 0 0
The den/sitting room has a gas fireplace with flat screen above
146590 The dining room features a built-in wall-to-wall buffet with slate countertop, and a built-in wood bar area with lit glass shelves and mirror backdrop 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_9.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_9/ june12hotwhedgewood_9 0 0
The dining room features a built-in wall-to-wall buffet with slate countertop, and a built-in wood bar area with lit glass shelves and mirror backdrop
146591 The slate tile floor continues from the kitchen into the breakfast room. The room features a pyramidal skylight over the table and a walkout to the patio 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_7.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_7/ june12hotwhedgewood_7 0 0
The slate tile floor continues from the kitchen into the breakfast room. The room features a pyramidal skylight over the table and a walkout to the patio
146592 The kitchen features a slate tile floor, honed marble countertops, custom-designed white oak cabinetry and stainless steel appliances 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_6/ june12hotwhedgewood_6 0 0
The kitchen features a slate tile floor, honed marble countertops, custom-designed white oak cabinetry and stainless steel appliances
146593 The living room is open to the family and dining rooms 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_5.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_5/ june12hotwhedgewood_5 0 0
The living room is open to the family and dining rooms
146594 Natural light streams into the living room from massive windows 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_4/ june12hotwhedgewood_4 0 0
Natural light streams into the living room from massive windows
146595 The living room 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_3/ june12hotwhedgewood_3 0 0
The living room
146596 Looking down into the living room from the second floor 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_2.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_2/ june12hotwhedgewood_2 0 0
Looking down into the living room from the second floor
146597 The sunken living room spans two levels. It boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with ravine views and a raised sitting area with greenhouse window 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_1.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_1/ june12hotwhedgewood_1 0 0
The sunken living room spans two levels. It boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with ravine views and a raised sitting area with greenhouse window
146598 The exterior of the front of the house, with a private drive, courtyard and double garage 2 Hedgewood Road https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/june12HOTWHedgewood_intro.jpg 656 450 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-2-hedgewood-road/slide/june12hotwhedgewood_intro/ june12hotwhedgewood_intro 0 0
The exterior of the front of the house, with a private drive, courtyard and double garage
come on lottery, ill buy it in a second :)
Nice house… so sunny and nice… but totally cluttered and truly hide its true beauty! Should never have listed before they declutter! Look at the kitchen, awesome except for the clutter.
I was prepared to diss this place based on it’s exterior. I was expecting the industrial look on the inside and was pleasantly surprised to see how warm and comfy the interior is. Kudos to the interior decorator whether homeowner or professional. Superb lot, doesn’t get much better. Privacy is so hard to find in this city. I would buy this in a heartbeat.
Could there be a more mis-matched interior design with the exterior design???….good grief!
The art is fantastic … Wish I knew who all the artists were.
Love the place including the “cluttered” interior, it’s the difference between an actually lived in house and a staged property. Hate the ceilings.
I agree with Chalbe – I was charmed by the fact that the house looks lived in, not sterile. While most homes probably need a stylist before listing, this home is filled with beautiful furniture and art – even the pile of books on the breakfast table look inviting. It looks ready for Architectural Digest. Whoever buys this better have a great collection of rugs and art.
I love the house,especially all the glass and views of ravine. Owners seem like art collectors and avid readers. Very interesting!
GET A STAGER IN THERE STAT.
3.5 million and they could’t be bothered to tidy up and simplify a bit? C’mon, that pile of binders in the breakfast room? That’s just laziness, not decorating. I don’t much care for overly staged, but this place needs about 50% of the stuff taken out so you can properly see the lines and space and get a feel for the potential.
It looks like the Clutter truck backed up and dumped everything into the house.
Can’t believe the clutter and mismatched decorating style in this house. It’s hard to really see the house as it truly is. Who on earth would allow their home to be photographed in this state?
Please don’t tell me this was ‘staged’ to project a lived-in feeling!
I love modern and contemporary architecture but I do not like this house one bit. Maybe I just can’t see the flow and lines of the house properly because of the mess but this home doesn’t feel cohesive. Other than the double height living room this house feels small and closed in, and outside of the kitchen it is very dated. All the clutter and tchotchkes everywhere is not ‘lived-in’ it’s just messy. I love art and books but they shouldn’t just be thrown everywhere. The cream leather sofa’s are the type I absolutely can’t stand, they look like they are from Leon’s in the 80’s, gawd why do people buy these things! It always astounds me how people who live in these million dollar homes live, and not in a good way.
Oh and to the writer…homes cannot ‘boast’!! I’m so sick of hearing this word in relation to home features.
Congratulations TL! You’ve finally found the ugliest house in the city! The outside looks like a warehouse and the inside isn’t an improvement. It looks like a different designer/architect worked on each room and didn’t bother to collaborate. And the junk! Contrary to popular belief, a stuffed dinosaur does not make a house look lived in, comfy or cozy.
finally a true house with real furniture reflecting the spirit of the owners. clearly, they don’t care about trendy over night millionaire buyers. who knows the art, knows the art. does not need staging. have you been to this neighborhood? this neighborhood is not about showing off money. it is about privately enjoying the privileges coming by it. I wish the next owner keep this spirit up in this house.
I saw the interior of this house back in the late 70’s or early 80’s when I sold them some Girl Guide cookies. The owners showed me around a bit and I recall being impressed, even as a little girl. Nice people… and not just because they bought cookies!
easily one of the most beautiful homes in the city. pity about the backyard (or lack thereof)
Gordon Ridgley is a Golden Architect and his touch will remain remarkable for generations.