House of the Week: $1.2 million for a modern, eco-conscious home in Hillcrest Park
ADDRESS: 95 Ilford Road
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Wychwood
AGENT: Lorena Maria Romano, Royal LePage West, Brokerage
PRICE: $1,195,000
THE PLACE: This ultra-modern, green-minded home is in a different league than the rest of the traditional Arts and Crafts–style homes typical of the area. Built by Re-Vu Group Inc. (graduates of the Ryerson Architecture program), the house has clean lines and an open-concept layout that make the mere 23-foot-wide lot feel spacious.
BRAGGING RIGHTS: The home is currently registered with the Canadian Green Building Council and is pursuing LEED Certification—putting you decades ahead of your energy-sucking neighbours.
BIG SELLING POINT: Energy-efficient features—including Energy Star appliances, low-E windows, spray foam insulation, radiant heating and a heat recovery ventilator and ICF foundation will end up saving you thousands of dollars in utilities each year. Also, 80 per cent of the lot’s original bungalow was repurposed to build the backyard deck, shed and front walk in partnership with Turtle Island Recycling, a waste management company.
POSSIBLE DEAL BREAKER: Going green does have its drawbacks—you’ll have to sacrifice the selfish luxury of space for a sense of superiority and the smug satisfaction that you’re doing your part to build a better world.
BY THE NUMBERS: • $1,195,000 • $3,023.28 in 2011 property taxes • 5 vegetated green roofs • 5 170 watt solar panels • 5 rain barrels (storing up to 1,000 litres of rain water) • 3 outdoor seating areas • 3 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms • 2 instantaneous boilers • 2 storeys
