Surreal Estate: $20 million for a fine-art sanctuary in Rosedale with a car elevator

Neighbourhood: Rosedale Price: $20,000,000 Size: 11,000 square feet on a 20,400-square-foot lot Bedrooms: 4+1 Bathrooms: 8 Parking spots: 9 Real estate agent: Cailey Heaps, Heaps Estrin

The place

A four-plus-one-bedroom, eight-bathroom architectural standout in Rosedale that marries nature with chic design. The property backs onto Yellow Creek and stands on a quiet heritage street that’s only a block from the shops and restaurants on Yonge. It’s also within walking distance of David Balfour Park to the north and Rosedale station to the south. And motorists are a short drive from both St. Clair and the DVP.

The history

An English revival home once stood on this lot. The owners started planning for a new structure in 2007 and commissioned architects KPMB and luxury home builder SevernWoods to deliver the project. They employed the golden ratio to inform the shape, flow and overall layout, creating pleasing, balanced proportions that mirror the natural world. This principle is particularly apparent where the east and west wings intersect around a central pivot point—the common areas that anchor the house. The intended effect is to promote calm and comfort rather than spatial anxiety.

It took more than nine years to fully complete the project—most of that time was spent partnering with the Toronto Preservation Board to ensure conservation of the surrounding natural landscape.

Related: $12.5 million for a massive Mississauga mansion standing over the Credit River

The tour

Here’s the steel-framed double-brick façade, which comes with low-maintenance landscaping plus a heated driveway and walkway.

A striking curved brick wall defines the foyer. The area doubles as one of the home’s many gallery spaces.

This is the pivot point of the main floor, branching into the home’s airy common spaces. The place has custom floor-to-ceiling windows with infinity-edge doors throughout.

The dining room was built to host big groups and comes with designer light fixtures, gallery lighting and plenty of space for art.

Raw oak floors, a gas fireplace and panoramic views define the main living room.

In the open-concept kitchen: seamless access to the stone patio and an extra-deep Caesarstone island and bar.

High-end appliances abound here, with a panelled double Sub-Zero fridge, two freezers, a double oven, a steam oven, a six-burner cooktop and griddle, and a built-in coffee machine.

Tucked around the corner is a modular study with built-in walnut bookshelves and cabinets, plus an elevator that connects the secret underground garage (more on that later) to every floor. Those bespoke steel privacy screens face the neighbourhood—their circle patterns are informed by the golden ratio.

Moving to the second floor reveals the tranquil library. It serves as the entrance to the main bedroom and is lined with white-oak floors and in-ceiling speakers.

Here’s that main bedroom. Its wrap-around corner window comes with north- and east-facing views of the ravine. Behind the bed is a minimalist walnut-finished closet.

Attached to the main bedroom is this long custom walk-in closet and a five-piece ensuite bathroom.

Here’s a closer look at the free-standing soaker tub. There are also heated floors, a heated towel rack and a built-in sound system.

Down the hall is an elegant lounge for showcasing more art.

The designers included curved walls and corners to add dynamism between the many pieces on display.

Here’s the second-floor living room, which has perimeter windows and a treetop view of the streetscape below.

The backyard features manicured gardens, a built-in Wolf barbecue and an outdoor fireplace.

Here’s another angle to highlight just how much space there is for entertaining on the multi-level patio.

This mudroom—lined with slate floors, closets and its own mini kitchen—leads to the garage.

The garage can comfortably house two vehicles and multiple bicycles, with plenty of space for the workshop. The floor is coated in a textured non-slip epoxy, making it safe and easy to clean.

Finally, gearheads will be happy to hear that the property comes with a car elevator to an underground garage that can accommodate five additional vehicles.

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