House of the Week: $6.5 million for an architectural landmark designed by Barton Myers
ADDRESS: 51 Roxborough Drive
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Rosedale-Moore Park
AGENT: Donna and Nick Thompson, Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage
PRICE: $6,500,000
THE PLACE: A glass-and-steel house by acclaimed architect Barton Myers. The Wolf House (named for Lawrence and Mary Wolf, the couple who commissioned the home in 1974) sits on a roomy ravine lot in Rosedale.
BRAGGING RIGHTS: This place is brimming with design credentials. Myers’s vision won a raft of awards, including Architectural Record’ s House of the Year Award in 1977. Since then, several big names have helped update the space, including interior design firm Yabu Pushelberg, landscape architect Walter Kehm and architect Heather Faulding.
BIG SELLING POINT: This ultra-modern mansion stands out in an area known for its outsized red brick homes. You’ll never have lost guests circling the neighbourhood trying to figure out which place is yours.
POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER: It would be a shame to ruin the modern aesthetic with curtains, so be prepared to have your furniture choices critiqued by nosy passersby. (Also, don’t forget to put on a towel when you get out of the shower.)
BY THE NUMBERS:
• $6,500,000
• $16,426.50 in taxes (2012)
• 4,693 square feet
• 3 bedrooms
• 3 bathrooms
• 3 storeys
• 1 wet bar
176535 The pool 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-25.jpg 624 452 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-25/ nov12-wolf-house-25 0 0
176534 The rear exterior 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-24.jpg 540 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-24/ nov12-wolf-house-24 0 0
176533 The backyard and pool 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-23.jpg 540 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-23/ nov12-wolf-house-23 0 0
176524 The office on the ground level, which has a walkout to the pool 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-14.jpg 624 452 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-14/ nov12-wolf-house-14 0 0
176519 The family room on the ground level has a wet bar and a fireplace 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-9.jpg 624 452 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-9/ nov12-wolf-house-9 0 0
176515 The Zen garden. The ground level is one of the newer additions, since the home originally stood on stilts. It contains a family room and an office 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-5.jpg 540 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-5/ nov12-wolf-house-5 0 0
176532 The upstairs bathroom 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-22.jpg 540 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-22/ nov12-wolf-house-22 0 0
176531 Another of the upstairs bedrooms 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-21.jpg 624 452 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-21/ nov12-wolf-house-21 0 0
176525 One of the upstairs bedrooms, which is being used as an office. It has a Murphy bed and a heated floor 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-15.jpg 624 452 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-15/ nov12-wolf-house-15 0 0
176530 The master ensuite 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-20.jpg 473 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-20/ nov12-wolf-house-20 0 0
176529 The master ensuite 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-19.jpg 540 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-19/ nov12-wolf-house-19 0 0
176528 The master bedroom on the second level has his and hers closets, a built-in desk and an ensuite bathroom 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-18.jpg 624 452 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-18/ nov12-wolf-house-18 0 0
176526 The central staircase 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-16.jpg 540 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-16/ nov12-wolf-house-16 0 0
176517 The view over the backyard and pool from the kitchen 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-7.jpg 624 452 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-7/ nov12-wolf-house-7 0 0
176521 The kitchen has a breakfast nook and a walkout to the back deck 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-11.jpg 540 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-11/ nov12-wolf-house-11 0 0
176516 The dining room is combined with the living room and is lit from above by skylights 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-6.jpg 473 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-6/ nov12-wolf-house-6 0 0
176518 The living room, main level 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-8.jpg 624 452 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-8/ nov12-wolf-house-8 0 0
176514 The front entrance. The entry, carport, three bedrooms, a bathroom and a playroom all face the street 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-4.jpg 540 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-4/ nov12-wolf-house-4 0 0
176513 Residents can transform the space using sliding panels on tracks and roller blinds on the glass walls 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-3.jpg 540 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-3/ nov12-wolf-house-3 0 0
176512 Functional elements like the home’s steel skeleton and ducts are exposed and take on an aesthetic role 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-2.jpg 473 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-2/ nov12-wolf-house-2 0 0
176511 American architect Barton Myers incorporated floor-to-ceiling glass walls into the design to help soften the barrier between outdoors and indoors 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-1.jpg 473 720 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-1/ nov12-wolf-house-1 0 0
176538 The Wolf House sits at the edge of a ravine in Rosedale 51 Roxborough Drive 51 Roxborough Drive https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nov12-wolf-house-intro.jpg 656 430 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-51-roxborough-drive/slide/nov12-wolf-house-intro/ nov12-wolf-house-intro 0 0
The backyard and pool are the best part of this house.
Absolutely stunning.
Love the location! The video tour ( http://thewolfhouse.ca/video ) gives you better idea on the layout of the house.
Not really a fan of the kitchen layout nor the master ensuite with that jacuzzi tub. Otherwise the rest of the house is industrial perfection.
Rear is much more beautiful than the front. Overall, a very particular person will shell out $6mil for this. Its nice and quite spacious indeed, but this open concept and industrial look, dunno if its for Rosedale.
omg opl !!
too funny!..
that is exactly what went through my mind seeing those last few pictures..
it is waaaay too exposed and it looks like a big brother biodome.. $ 6.5 million.. wowzah!..
I’ve always wanted to live in a house like this – I just imagined it would be in L.A. I love glass houses and blending indoors and out. I think just watching and listening to the trees outside is reason enough to buy it (written as I listen to the non-stop construction outside my windows).
This is the wrong house for a beautiful Rosedale ravine lot. Doesn’t do it for me!
the front to me looks like a shanty shack, not a 6.5 million dollar home
Wow, the house is pretty open for the public to view from outside. I wouldn’t feel any privacy at all. The front view does not look like a 6.5 million dollar home. WHen viewing it does not give a warm feeling of home at all – too sterile looking. Good luck to the seller.
It fantastic … Inside and out!
i have seen this before on shows…love it ..not my living environment but I love it…although a shower curtain in the 2nd bathroom??!?!?!?! yuck
um, nah…too cold. The backyard is the best feature.
It not about time that the language used was more contemporary and more in keeping with the times. It is almost offensive to say “his and hers closets” There are a few more his and his or perhaps hers and hers than you seem to be aware of. You could use the term spouse and spouse or I will leave it up to you to come up with something less 1950s and far less heterosexual in approach.
@havingalook2 – spare me the drama! his/hers can be easily translated in the gay relationship or if you insist alpha/beta then….
What the what? 6.5 million for this house? It’s definitely going to appeal to some buyers, but I think the price is out of line with the value by far. Just look at the taxes.
Love looking at the pictures, but trying to imagine actually living it in – no thank you!