$5.2 million for an east-end house with a courtyard inspired by ancient Rome

Neighbourhood: The Beaches
Price: $5,200,00o Size: 4,600 square feet Bedrooms: 4+1 Bathrooms: 4 Parking spots: 2 Real estate agent: Shea Warrington, Royal LePage Signature Realty

The Place

A four-plus-one-bedroom, four-bathroom detached home near Balmy Beach Park, the three-storey property is anchored by an open-concept living space with vaulted 25-foot ceilings, exposed beams, and railings of bronze and glass. Outside, a landscaped garden and courtyard, complete with a custom fountain, channel the feel of an ancient Roman villa. It’s within walking distance of the R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, the Fox Theatre and the 501 streetcar. And motorists are a short drive from both Kingston Road and Lake Shore.

The History

The current owner bought the home in 2010 for $1.5 million before undertaking a two-and-a-half-year renovation that cost another $1.5 million. The project involved fully rebuilding the interiors as well as excavating and finishing the basement. Throughout, the owner aimed to preserve the home’s original character, restoring features like French doors and stone walls while also installing skylights.

Related: $2.8 million for a Victorian off King West with kitchen cabinets inspired by General Motors

The Tour

Here’s the façade, which retains original stonework. It’s defined by the second-floor porch, which the owner converted into a glass-encased sunroom overlooking the lake.

Inside, the foyer is equipped with under-floor heating plus enough space for a grand piano.

Now for the M. C. Escher–esque living room. It has a wood-burning fireplace with a polished Crema Marfil slab hearth and surround.

Look up to take in the living room’s 25-foot ceilings, with skylights and a massive exposed beam. The custom railings are oil-rubbed bronze, iron and tempered glass.

This eight-seat dining table stands in the corner.

In the kitchen: tons of storage, a camouflaged fridge, a gas cooktop and a large island with a built-in sink and Caesarstone counters.

The kitchen also has a nearby breakfast nook.

Formerly a drive shed, this stone-clad space now serves as the family room. During renos, the owner restored the wood-burning Rumford fireplace and added heated concrete floors and arched French doors.

Heading upstairs highlights the second-floor landing.

The entrance to the sunroom is framed by the home’s original French doors.

Here’s that sunroom. It comes with a $23,000 Lumon glass system that allows three of its walls to slide open. The space also features heated Indiana limestone floors and 13-foot ceilings.

How about that lake view?

Also upstairs is this shared five-piece bathroom with a double vanity.

Down the hallway is one of the secondary bedrooms, currently set up for kids

Then there’s the main bedroom, which has vaulted ceilings and a gas fireplace with an antique marble surround.

The main ensuite includes a standing shower and a soaker tub with a view of the water.

This is the walk-in closet.

As for the basement, it’s designed as a 500-square-foot rec room.

There’s also a guest room down here.

Here’s a peek inside the basement’s three-piece bathroom. Note the mirrored vanity.

Moving back outside highlights the stone patio and wall fountain.

In 2024, the owner redesigned the garden and courtyard as part of a $200,000 landscaping overhaul inspired by Italian and Mediterranean outdoor spaces.

Finally, here’s a bird’s eye view of the property and Silver Birch Beach.

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