Surreal Estate: $8.5 million for Norman Jewison’s former office loft

Neighbourhood: Church-Yonge Corridor
Price: $8,495,000 Size: 11,739 square feet plus a finished basement Storeys: 5 Bedrooms: 2 (in the penthouse) Bathrooms: 10 Real estate agents: Don Mulholland and Stephanie White Willitts, Bosley Commercial

The place

A five-storey heritage tower in a Yonge Street alley that once belonged to legendary filmmaker Norman Jewison. The place is a mixed-use building currently configured with offices on the first four floors. It also comes with a 1.5-storey, 2,500-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse.

Sitting on Gloucester Lane overlooking Norman Jewison Park (of course), the home is within walking distance of Yorkville, U of T, Church-Wellesley Village and half a dozen subway stations. And motorists are a short drive from the DVP and Rosedale Valley Road.

The history

This building was originally designed as a furniture factory. Jewison purchased it in the mid-1970s, after the release of Jesus Christ Superstar, as a production office and pied-à-terre. Though the offices have undergone several renovations over the decades, the living quarters have remained virtually untouched. Now, Jewison’s children are putting the property on the market.

Related: $12 million for a Georgian manor in Rosedale with a hall of mirrors

The tour

First, the view from Norman Jewison Park. The exterior has been fully restored, including new windows and a period-inspired iron gate.   

Here’s a closer look at the façade. The entrance on the left used to be a carriageway. 

Today, the space is used for storage, not horses. The first floor has been zoned for a restaurant, so future owners may wish to transform the lane into a romantic outdoor dining room. 

In the lobby, large windows illuminate the original pine panelling and exposed yellow brick.

The main floor is currently being rented as an office. Those windows overlook the carriageway, and there are two bathrooms down the hall.

Here’s the second-floor office—occupied by an ad agency—equipped with a conference room, two washrooms and a kitchenette.

This reverse angle shows the room’s versatility. The original pine beams are a nice touch. 

Original stained glass windows add to the eclectic vibe.

Another view of the funky space. 

A quick ride up the elevator reveals Jewison’s 1970s playground penthouse. It comes with a huge fireplace, three pairs of nine-foot oak doors, 12-foot ceilings and groovy carpeting.

The room has wide windows on three sides.

Here’s the lounge and dining area, with the kitchen in the background. 

One imagines Jewison perusing storyboards and striking deals at his desk, which sits at the front of the building. 

Yes, that’s a portrait of Jewison with former US president Bill Clinton on the left.

In the kitchen: Spanish tiles, floral wallpaper, two sinks and a striking candlestick chandelier. 

Finally, a bird’s eye view of the property, dwarfed by Toronto’s ever-expanding skyline.

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