House of the Week: $2.5 million for one of Cabbagetown’s few modern homes

House of the Week: $2.5 million for one of Cabbagetown’s few modern homes

Address: 73 Metcalfe Street
Neighbourhood: Cabbagetown
Agent: Jonathan Ferrier, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage
Price: $2,499,900

The place: A completely modernized home in Cabbagetown.

The history: Originally built in the 1950, the so-called “ugly duckling” of the neighbourhood operated as a rooming house before it sold in 2014 for $940,000. Cabbagetown has strict guidelines about maintaining heritage facades, but the seller managed to convince city hall that the area would be improved by this sleek contemporary reno.

Big selling point: The master suite, which occupies the entire third floor, is filled with swish amenities: a five-piece ensuite with heated flooring, a door to a rooftop terrace and huge built-in closets that link the bedroom with the ensuite.

Possible deal breaker: There are antique touches here and there—exposed brickwork, a fireplace—but the modern exterior may still earn the buyer the wrath of neighbours keen on Cabbagetown’s Victorian charm.

By the numbers:

• $2,499,900
• $6,047.02 in taxes (2015)
• 2695 square feet above grade
• 1030-square-foot basement
• 30-foot atrium
• 5 bathrooms
• 3 bedrooms
• 1 parking space

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The living room has an antique-looking fireplace—even though the building is only about 60 years old.

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The dining room is on the ground floor of a three-storey atrium.

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There’s no shortage of natural light here.

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The massive kitchen island has a marble top.

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And there’s another cool fireplace in the family room.

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There’s an open office area on the second floor.

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There are also two bedrooms on the second floor, both with ensuite bathrooms. This one also has some built-in shelving.

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Here’s the other second-floor bedroom.

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The master bedroom has the third floor to itself. Those glass doors lead to a terrace.

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A hallway connects the master bedroom with its built-in closets and ensuite bathroom.

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A pair of massive windows create a dramatic effect—but the bathroom is at the front of the house, so the owner will probably have to invest in some shades.

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And here’s the view from the rear.