House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
By Fraser Abe |
By Fraser Abe |
Address: 224 Dovercourt Road
Neighbourhood: Little Portugal
Agent: Sam McDadi, Sam McDadi Real Estate
Price: $3,299,000
The Place: Many west-enders (or fans of Julie’s Cuban) will recognize this Dovercourt Road landmark, but few will know that the stately Victorian hides a functioning bed and breakfast.
Bragging Rights: You want whimsy? This house has got whimsy. With ornate wood carvings throughout, trompe l’oeil walls and a sculpture garden, you’ll be discovering new points of interest every day.
Big Selling Point: The location can’t be beat. Out-of-town friends can save a bundle at your new B&B, rather than staying at the nearby Gladstone or Drake hotels.
Possible Deal Breaker: This home will be divisive. All the reasons one person will love it will be the same reasons another hates it. For our money, we’d pick the curmudgeonly option: no sharing a house with breakfast-seeking tourists.
By the Numbers:
• $3,299,000
• 9 bedrooms
• 5 bathrooms
• 3 floors
• 2 kitchens
• 1 ridiculously ornate bed and breakfast
- 250512
- The main floor of this Victorian mansion consists of a living room, a dining room, a family room, a sunroom, and a kitchen.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-01-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-01.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-01.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-01/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-01
- 0
- 0
- 250513
- The ornately decorated main-floor family room.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-02-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-02.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-02.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-02/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-02
- 0
- 0
- 250514
- The foyer.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-03-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-03.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-03.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-03/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-03
- 0
- 0
- 250515
- Common areas and entrances are wired with security cameras.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-04-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-04.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-04.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-04/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-04
- 0
- 0
- 250516
- The main-floor dining room. The fireplace-like fitting seen here is one of four in the house.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-05-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-05.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-05.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-05/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-05
- 0
- 0
- 250517
- A sitting area on the main floor.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-06-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-06.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-06.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-06/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-06
- 0
- 0
- 250518
- One of the house's two kitchens.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-07-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-07.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-07.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-07/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-07
- 0
- 0
- 250519
- Paintings liven up some of the house's walls.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-08-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-08.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-08.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-08/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-08
- 0
- 0
- 250520
- This bathroom is one of five. With nine guest rooms, you wouldn't want any fewer.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-09-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-09.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-09.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-09/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-09
- 0
- 0
- 250521
- There are several guest rooms on the second floor, and also a second kitchen.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-10-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-10.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-10.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-10/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-10
- 0
- 0
- 250522
- This second-floor room with a walk-out terrace is a "deluxe queen room" for bed-and-breakfast guests. It has an en suite washroom.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-11-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-11.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-11.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-11/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-11
- 0
- 0
- 250524
- A second-floor "queen room" for bed-and-breakfast guests. It doesn't have an en suite bathroom.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-13-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-13.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-13.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-13/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-13
- 0
- 0
- 250525
- Poseidon greets guests on the third floor, where there are still more bedrooms.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-14-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-14.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-14.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-14/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-14
- 0
- 0
- 250526
- The third-floor hallway.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-15-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-15.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-15.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-15/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-15
- 0
- 0
- 250527
- The outside of the house is charmingly landscaped—and covered in ivy.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-16-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-16.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-16.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-16/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-16
- 0
- 0
- 250528
- The sculpture garden is a nice retreat from the sometimes-hectic west-end neighbourhood.
- House of the Week: 244 Dovercourt Road
- House of the Week: $3.3 million for a palace of kitsch in Little Portugal
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-17-96x96.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-17.jpg
- https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-17.jpg
- 624
- 416
- []
- https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-week-3-3-million-palace-kitsch-little-portugual/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-17/
- toronto-house-of-the-week-244-dovercourt-road-little-portugal-17
- 0
- 0
This is such a big disappointment….I know that there are some people that like these kind of interior, but the house is such a beauty from outside, so calm and subtle…I never thought I would be facing such an intense expression of taste within its interior. Looking to see who’s going to buy this jewel.
This is such a big disappointment for me….I know that there are some people that like these kind of interiors, but the house is such a beauty from outside, so calm and subtle…I never thought I would be facing such an intense expression of taste inside. Looking to see who’s going to buy this jewel.
To say the truth I’m not keen on such style. Victorian mansion is not
for me. But I know many people, friends of mine, who would like this design!
Need to send them this article. Paintings are wonderful, but not for a house,
better for an art gallery. The only thing I liked was an exterior (outside) of
the house covered in ivy, that’s really impressing.