Surreal Estate: $18.8 million for a French palace off Bayview with a golf simulator

Neighbourhood: St. Andrew-Windfields Price: $18,800,000 Size: 25,110 square feet Bedrooms: 9+3 Bathrooms: 16 Realtor: Khoren Mardoyan

The place

A 12-bedroom, 16-bathroom mansion sitting on a corner lot just off Bayview in the St. Andrew-Windfields neighbourhood. It’s one of the city’s grandest homes, with amenities that include a home theatre, a spa and a dance floor with fibre-optic lighting. 

The history 

The owners built this stunner in 2013 as a nod to 18th-century French architecture. It was last on the market in 2022 for $15.2 million, but the deal fell through, and a year later, they’re trying for $3.6 million more. The owners now want to downsize (go figure) and are looking for a buyer with money to burn.

Related: $6 million for a Georgian Bay compound with a grotto-style sauna and a boathouse

The tour 

The façade features large doric columns and sculptural accents surrounding each of the windows.

Walking through the foyer is a sensory overload.

Here’s a reverse angle of the foyer, showcasing the grand staircase and crystal chandelier. 

The domed ceiling—with frescoes reminiscent of those found in European cathedrals—may be the home’s greatest feature.

This view of the second-floor hallway shows off the stained-glass windows. There are nine bedrooms on this level.

The kitchen has room for a full dining table and walks out to the backyard. 

A closer look at the kitchen reveals the new appliances, island and sparkling floors. 

Outside, the 5,500-square-foot backyard has an illuminated pool. There’s also an indoor pool for the winter.

The dining room has built-in glass cabinets and a bas-relief honouring classical art. 

Here’s a look at two of the many large living spaces. 

Now for downstairs: a 2,200-square-foot banquet hall with room for 150 guests. It has granite and marble floors throughout as well as a dance floor. 

Fibre-optic lights illuminate the recessed ceilings. 

Down the hall is the billiards room, with a temperature-controlled wine cellar. 

There’s also a gym, a spa and a massage room. 

Finally, the golf simulator, which doubles as a home theatre. 

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