House of the Week: $3.1 million for an Edwardian duplex in Little Portugal sitting on a massive commercial lot

Neighbourhood: Little Portugal Price: $3,150,000 Size: 3,831 square feet Bedrooms: 4+2 Bathrooms: 2 Parking spots: 3 Real estate agents: Ashley Langille and Petra ​​Wrzesnewskyj-Cottrell

The place

A four-plus-two-bedroom, two-bathroom detached Edwardian with industrial quirks in Little Portugal that’s been split into a duplex with two bedrooms and den in each unit. You can’t get more Torontonian than that. New owners can convert it back into a single-family home or use it for business thanks to its commercial-residential zoning. The home comes with three parking spots, a backyard with a 540-square-foot detached workshop and many original features with turn-of-the-century flair. It’s within walking distance of the many businesses along Dundas, Trinity Bellwoods Park and Dufferin Mall. Transit riders have easy access to a half dozen bus and streetcar options, and motorists are a short drive from both Dufferin and the Gardiner.

The history

Sitting on a nearly 5,600-square-foot lot, this property was built in the early 20th century, when development in the neighbourhood was ramping up. Its current owner, a carpenter with an eye for all things design, installed roughed-in doors to make it easier for future residents to reconfigure the layout however they wish.

Related: $3.7 million for a whimsical custom-built home backing onto an Etobicoke ravine

The tour

The house is set back from the street, allowing for a wild garden out front that doubles as a privacy shield—useful given the neighbourhood’s high foot traffic. That’s the backyard at the end of the driveway (more on that later).

In the foyer: original millwork, crown-moulded ceilings and entry to the living room.

Turn around and the first-floor layout becomes more clear. Throughout the home, residents will find tons of white oak as well as exposed brick, concrete and beams.

Here’s that living room, defined by its bay windows

White brick gives the dining area some texture while the windows—all lined with vertical grain fir framing—let in plenty of natural light.

These funky textured porcelain tiles for the backsplash have a Moroccan-style finish, and the custom cabinets are rift-sawn white oak. Both floors have vintage Wolf ovens that can be negotiated into the sale.

Subway tiles line the four-piece main-floor bathroom. That floating sink is complemented by bespoke floating shelves underneath.

Opposite the bathroom are built-in cabinets for linens.

The main bedroom overlooks the neighbourhood.

There’s also this yoga and meditation space, shared between the two units.

Moving upstairs reveals the other residence. The owner also axed the fireplace on the second floor, transforming it into storage and a feature wall.

In the same space is the entry to the office. The exposed studs are an intentional bit of design, meant to bring texture and warmth.

Here’s a closer look inside the office.

This angle highlights the second-floor street view.

Down the hall is the kitchen. Shades of red and blue make it pop, and a dark penny tile backsplash brings contrast.

Could the dining area be any cuter?

Here’s the upstairs bathroom. Note the earthy sink.

The main bedroom, meanwhile, comes with sloped ceilings.

Now for outside. The jumbo backyard could one day be home to a deck, patio or laneway suite.

Lastly, here’s a look at the backyard’s workshop, mature trees and fun tire swing.

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