House of the Week: $3.3 million for an antique mansion across the street from High Park
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
Address: 54 High Park Boulevard
Neighbourhood: High Park
Agent: Monte Walls Burris and Greg Makin, Keller Williams Referred Urban Realty, Brokerage
Price: $3,300,000
The Place: A massive six-bedroom, six-bathroom brick manse located five doors away from the east gate of High Park.
The History: The sellers, only the fourth family to own the home since it was built, believe it to be about 100 years old. The house still has some original features, like a (sadly non-functional) “sherry” button to the right of the living room fireplace, which originally would have rung a bell in the third-floor servants’ quarters when the owners wanted a drink. There’s also an original coal chute, now bricked over inside. The interior has been modernized, within reason: the kitchen, bathrooms and basement have all had updates during the past decade.
Big Selling Point: The quiet reading room, complete with mosaic-tiled fireplace, has a bay window overlooking the front porch, quarter-sawn oak flooring and space for enough books to last a hundred rainy days.
Possible Deal Breaker: With its grand exterior (that archway!) its not hard to understand why this home is often featured on High Park walking tours. If the new owner is a “Get off my lawn, you kids!” type, they may not appreciate the added foot traffic.
By the Numbers:
• $3,300,000
• $10,393.54 in taxes (2015)
• 4,100 square feet above grade
• 1,456-square-foot lower level
• 6 bedrooms
• 6 bathrooms
• 4 fireplaces
• 2-car garage (plus additional parking in driveway)
317425 The sellers believe the house is about 100 years old. It certainly looks the part. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-1-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-1.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-1/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-1 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317426 They don't make stone archways like this one anymore. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-2-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-2.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-2/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-2 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317427 The floors are quarter-sawn oak. Also: wainscotting everywhere. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-3-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-3.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-3/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-3 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317428 The study looks like the perfect place to solve (or commit) a murder. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-4-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-4.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-4/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-4 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317429 The living room has a coffered ceiling, a bay window facing the front of the house, and even some topiary. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-5-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-5.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-5/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-5 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317430 A passageway leads from the living room to the dining room. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-6-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-6.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-6/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-6 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317431 The dining room has built-in cabinetry for stemware and enough room for a 10-seater table. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-7-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-7.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-7/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-7 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317432 The kitchen is the newest-looking part of the house. It was completely redone in 2012. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-8-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-8.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-8/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-8 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317433 There's a small mudroom jutting off the back of the house. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-9-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-9.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-9/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-9 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317434 There are three bedrooms on the second floor. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-10-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-10.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-10/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-10 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317435 Best parents ever. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-11-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-11.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-11/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-11 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317436 The Lego room has a private sunroom facing the backyard. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-12-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-12.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-12/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-12 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317437 Another bedroom. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-13-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-13.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-13/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-13 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317438 And the hallway bathroom. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-14-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-14.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-14/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-14 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317439 And here's the master bedroom. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-15-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-15.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-15/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-15 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317440 The master bedroom's en suite bathroom, created by knocking out a wall between two smaller rooms, was renovated in 2013. It has heated floors made of Brazilian black slate. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-16-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-16.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-16/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-16 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317441 There's a bedroom on the third floor, as well as a family room and a small office. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-17-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-17.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-17/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-17 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317442 The family room is set up as a home theatre. (With this much extra space, why not?) (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-18-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-18.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-18/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-18 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317443 The third-floor bathroom. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-19-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-19.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-19/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-19 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317444 The third-floor bedroom doesn't have the pitched ceilings that plague so many attic conversions. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-20-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-20.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-20/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-20 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317445 The office is next to a little kitchenette, perfect for emergency coffee refills. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-21-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-21.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-21/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-21 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317446 The basement is finished. This is the rec room. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-22-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-22.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-22/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-22 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317447 And here's the gym and laundry. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-23-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-23.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-23/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-23 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317448 There's yet another office down here. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-24-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-24.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-24/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-24 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317449 And also a spare bedroom. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-25-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-25.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-25/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-25 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317450 And a bathroom. (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-26-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-26.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-26.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-26/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-26 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
317451 The backyard has plenty of room for parking, eating and play. (Note the basketball hoop to the left.) (Image: Birdhouse Media) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-27-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-27.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-27.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-27/ toronto-house-of-the-week-54-high-park-boulevard-27 0 0
(Image: Birdhouse Media)
This place needs way more plastic plants and topiaries. Way more.
It is lovely to see in photo four the bookshelves. Notice how lovely they look and finish the room. Something an eReader will never do.
Will they throw in one of those Picassos with the house?
To me this house is beyond critique – teeters perfectly between vintage/modern, nod to the past without being dark and cluttered. Gorgeous shape (and unexpected lines). Great location and size. Couldn’t want more. In other words: Wow.
Use Uber code UBERTORONTOFREERIDE to get $20 off your first ride. Just download the Uber app and enter the code. Valid anywhere in Canada!!!