$5.5 million for a Victorian semi in Summerhill with a fireplace inside a staircase

Neighbourhood: Summerhill Price: $5,499,000 Size: 2,220 square feet plus an 879-square-foot basement Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 5 Parking spots: 2 Real estate agent: Lauren Haw, Zoocasa Realty

Related: $9 million for a mid-century marvel in Rosedale with a secret garden and a winter-proof courtyard

The Tour

A four-bedroom, five-bathroom semi just off Yonge, this fully renovated home comes with Scandinavian inspiration, Venetian plaster, custom oak millwork, a lush backyard and a Sonos sound system throughout. It’s within walking distance of Rosedale station, the Summerhill LCBO and half a dozen parks. And motorists are a short drive from both Davenport and the DVP.

The History

The current owners bought this house just over a decade ago. In the years since, they conducted a full renovation of the century-old property with the help of Izen Architecture, finishing the project in 2022. They also soundproofed the home and created an atrium with a two-storey window wall in the back, overlooking Ramsden Park and the downtown skyline.

The Tour

The plot is guarded by a bespoke gate made of rust-resistant black powder-coated aluminum and steel. That stone walkway is heated (hooray for no shovelling), and the garden glows at night with programmable lights.

Past the foyer is the dining room, anchored by a bioethanol fireplace—embedded in the staircase—and a giant oak feature wall.

A closer look at the fireplace highlights the micro-cement flooring. Sonos speakers have been installed throughout.

Lights, as well as more speakers, are tucked within the kitchen’s slatted oak ceiling. There’s plenty of storage built into the walls, along with a sleek 100-bottle wine fridge.

The kitchen is also equipped with a jumbo gas cooktop, a central island and a view of the backyard.

This is the two-storey atrium and living room, with Schüco triple-pane windows. Another gas fireplace and a Venetian plaster finish on the TV wall add some drama to the space.

These wood slats along the staircase allow natural light from the skylight above to flood all floors.

Here’s one of two second-floor bedrooms overlooking the neighbourhood.

Every bathroom in the home comes with heated floors. This one is lined with a fun mantle and playful geometric tiles.

There’s also an office on the second floor, with built-in desks and shelves.

Now for the third floor, which is entirely dedicated to the main suite. This is the bathroom, with teak floors and vaulted ceilings evoking some of Toronto’s brutalist masterpieces.

The ensuite also has a double vanity, a double shower and automatic blinds above the soaker tub for privacy.

Down the hall is the main bedroom. Note the oak feature wall (echoing downstairs) and the floating end tables.

Turn around to take in the greenery.

How about the main suite’s private balcony, with elegant glass rails?

Moving to the basement reveals the guest room, with its built-in king-sized bed and closets. The door at the back leads to an ensuite bathroom.

As for the rest of the basement, it has a wet bar, even more oak, a wine fridge and sliding doors leading to the backyard patio.

Here’s that patio, mostly for grilling and soaking in the summer sun.

Built into the painted cedar fence are two Ipe wood decks, black powder-coated aluminum flower boxes and an automated irrigation system.

Lastly, here’s a bird’s eye view of the property, leafy Rosedale and the city’s exploding skyline.

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