Surreal Estate: $16.5 million for a mansion off Bayview with a theatre that looks like a spaceship

Neighbourhood: St. Andrew-Windfields, North York Price: $16,500,000 Size: 8,500 square feet plus a 5,500-square-foot basement Bedrooms: 5+1 Bathrooms: 9 Real estate agent: Virginia Lam, Axon Capital Realty

The place

A five-plus-one bedroom, nine-bathroom house in North York. The recently finished home is equipped with European-style finishes, a sci-fi-inspired theatre room with reclining chairs and a cave-like wine cellar with a cigar room. Residents are within walking distance of half a dozen parks, and motorists are a short drive from York Mills Shopping Centre, the Don Valley Golf Course, the DVP and the 401.

The history

This property is located on a leafy street in St. Andrew-Windfields, known for its luxurious houses flanked by large green spaces. The home’s designer, Richard Tseng, came up with it after being inspired on a trip to Milan Design Week in 2019. The current seller, an entrepreneur, lived in it for just over a year before deciding to put it back on the market.

Related: $4 million for a Broadview North standout with a 30,000-litre tropical aquarium

The tour

Here’s a look at the façade, adorned with more than $1 million worth of Indiana stone.

The foyer comes with 12-foot ceilings and heated floors.

This reverse angle showcases the elevator, which connects all three floors.

To the right of the foyer is the living room. It features a giant mantle with a gas fireplace and coffered ceilings.

A hand-blown glass-pendant fixture lights up the dining room.

The extra-wide winding staircase anchors the home and has iron railings.

Atop the staircase: a dramatic skylight.

Now for the family room, with three sets of French doors that lead to the patio out back.

A marble mantle with a gas fireplace spans the family room wall. The space also comes with wood slats that camouflage storage.

Turn around and you’re in the kitchen. It’s lined with custom Italian light fixtures and a marble island. That second table—bespoke—can be dislodged from the island depending on your hosting needs.

The island is also fashioned with built-in burners, a waterfall sink and a teppanyaki cooktop.

The back wall slides open to highlight more marble and more storage. The cabinets, meanwhile, are under-lit and soft-close.

Here’s the appliance wall, equipped with a Gaggenau oven, microwave, steamer and coffee maker.

The hidden secondary kitchen is more practical for everyday cooking. That’s a Sub-Zero fridge on the left and a Wolf stove on the right.

There’s also a hotel-inspired main-floor powder room with a backlit marble-slab wall.

A second staircase leads to the west wing.

Moving upstairs reveals the office, complete with a sliding ladder for a library feel.

The main bedroom takes up the entire east wing of the house and features a two-way fireplace, a hidden television cabinet and a walkout to a private terrace.

This view shows off the main bedroom’s lounge, with a wet bar and a beverage fridge.

Here’s the ensuite-bathroom-walk-in-closet combo: a mix between a Yorkville boutique and a high-end spa.

The five-piece ensuite has two vanities, a free-standing tub and marble all over.

There’s plenty of fun in the basement. The 5,500-square-foot space comes with a billiard table, a kids play area, a family room and a full bar, all of it sandwiched between 11-foot ceilings and heated floors.

Welcome aboard the fully panelled stadium-style cinema room. Engage.

But the real showstopper is the temperature-controlled wine cellar—like a mini version of stunning Koerner Hall—that fits 2,000 bottles and was inspired by a cave.

This area is complete with special ventilation so that people can enjoy cigars, which are stored in the humidor.

The basement also has a gym with a full-height steam room, a shower and a closet for post-workout cooling down.

The patio comes with a firepit, a dining area, a smoker and a gas grill. It’s covered, heated in the winter and equipped with fans for the summer.

The backyard has a pool, a hot tub and an artificial waterfall along with a cabana containing a three-piece washroom.

Finally, here’s the garage. Its 14-foot ceiling is tall enough for a car lift.

Have a home that’s about to hit the market? Send your property to realestate@torontolife.com.