House of the Week: $2.4 million for a Casa Loma home designed by a famous architect
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Address: 21 McMaster Avenue
Neighbourhood: Casa Loma
Agent: Lizanne Bertrand, Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage
Price: $2,395,000
The Place: A three-story home designed by Ron Thom and located in the exclusive (and maybe even slightly cultish ) Rathnelly neighbourhood.
Bragging Rights: Did we mention Ron Thom designed this home? He’s one of Canada’s most famous mid-century architects, best known locally for designing U of T’s Massey College and Ryerson’s Architecture building. His work has earned comparisons to that of giants like Frank Lloyd Wright.
Big Selling Point: The entire second floor serves as a master retreat with a walkout balcony, sitting room (with fireplace) and 4-piece bathroom.
Possible Deal Breaker: The third-floor bedrooms have sloping walls that may make them difficult to furnish, and the “open concept” washroom they share is a little unusual. But a private balcony should be ample compensation for whichever family members end up sleeping there.
By The Numbers:
• $2,395,000
• $50,000 worth of landscaping
• $8,846.02 in taxes (2014)
• 35 years old, approximately
• 3 bedrooms
• 3 bathrooms
• 3 storeys
• 2 fireplaces
• 2-car garage
284176 The house was designed by Ron Thom, better known for his work on U of T's Massey College House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-01-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-01.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-01/ toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-01 0 0
284177 The entire first floor is an open-concept living and dining area House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-02-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-02/ toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-02 0 0
284178 The back of the house is enveloped in a glass enclosure, filling the first floor with natural light House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-03-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-03/ toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-03 0 0
284179 The master bedroom takes up the entire second floor of the house House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-04-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-04/ toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-04 0 0
284180 Here's the master bedroom's private balcony, which faces the backyard House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-05-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-05/ toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-05 0 0
284181 And here's the master bedroom's en suite washroom House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-06-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-06/ toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-06 0 0
284182 The two other bedrooms are both on the third floor of the house. Here's one of them, with its own private balcony House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-07-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-07.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-07/ toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-07 0 0
284183 Here's the other third-floor bedroom House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-08-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-08.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-08/ toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-08 0 0
284184 Oddly, both third-floor bedrooms share this "open concept" washroom, located next to the stairs. The sink is just there, in the hallway. House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-09-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-09/ toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-09 0 0
284185 Here's the backyard House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-10-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-10/ toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-10 0 0
284186 And here's what the house looks like from the back House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue House of the Week: 21 McMaster Avenue https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-11-e1406663465916-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-11.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/real-estate/house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue/slide/toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-11/ toronto-house-of-the-week-21-mcmaster-avenue-11 0 0
Looks like there’s a lot of design issues with this one once you stop and think about how people would live in it. :/
Looks interesting on the inside. The third floor sloped ceiling makes me a little claustrophobic but that is a personal thing. The big windows on the third floor may compensate for the ceiling. The Casa Loma area is nice.
Ron Thom may have visited for drinks but this certainly doesn’t like like anything he ever designed. Might want to check the pedigree on this claim.
Ron Thom died in 1986. It seems highly unlikely that he had anything to do with this house.
Can you not read it was built in the late 70s?
Doesn’t look hard to “design” that boring rubbish box.
If it really was designed by someone famous…”famous” in Canada is all relative…the architect may not have given a darn about people actually living in, its all about the art…his idea, his way.
Just an excuse to make the price even more nose-bleed.