Surreal Estate: There are only 25 floating homes in Ontario. This one in Scarborough is going for $995,000

Location: Scarborough Bluffs Price: $995,000 Previously sold for: $840,000 in 2019 Size: 1,400 square feet Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1.5 Parking spots: 2 Real estate agents: Paul Maranger and Christian Vermast

The place

Not a condo yet not a houseboat: it’s a three-bedroom home floating at the bottom of the Scarborough Bluffs. It comes with a loaded kitchen, heated floors, lots of windows and a nearly 700-square-foot rooftop deck with views of Bluffer’s Park and Beach. It’s within paddling distance of the marina’s restaurant and pub, various yacht clubs, and the TTC’s 201 bus to Kennedy station. And motorists are a short drive from both Kingston Road and Danforth Avenue.

The history

Toronto’s floating homes have no motors and are attached to concrete barges that are permanently moored to a dock. While they’re popular in other provinces, Ontario has allowed only 25 in total, all of them at the bluffs, with the exception of one lone outpost that buoys at the Toronto Islands. Originally, these quirky residences were single-storey units built by the city in 2000 as a ploy to attract VIPs for the would-be 2008 Olympics. But, after losing the bid to Beijing, Toronto sold them off, and a floating gated community was born. Today, the homes are accessible only via a private boardwalk cared for by a tight-knit group of hydrophilic owners who embrace both coastal and urban living.

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The tour

Welcome to the neighbourhood. Here’s an aerial view of the bluffs, Bluffer’s Park and Beach, and the full-service marina.

The floating home sits at slip 12. Treated cedar planks clad its first storey, and corrugated steel panels cover the other. The pad is fully insulated and designed to withstand extreme weather.

Here’s the foyer, with a Harry Potter–style closet under the stairs. Just beyond is the washer-dryer unit.

In a clever revamp, the current owners moved the bedrooms to the first floor so that guests wouldn’t have to walk through intimate spaces en route to the rooftop patio (more on that later). This is the main bedroom. Jumping directly into the water is unfortunately forbidden, but future residents can invest in a canoe for extra fun.

This view of the deck shows off the sliding glass doors and hardwood canopy.

This secondary corner bedroom is equipped with two wide windows.

Here’s the three-piece bathroom, with heated ceramic floors and valence lighting.

Upstairs is all about the open-concept kitchen and dining space, outfitted with a KitchenAid fridge, a four-burner gas cooktop and griddle, and an oven and microwave built into the wall.

A closer look at the kitchen highlights the Venetian glass mosaic backsplash, Corian counters, mesh cabinets and cork flooring—a feature that helps absorb moisture and provides a softer landing—basically one giant Birkenstock.

The dining area and cocktail zone is tucked next to a big window overlooking the boardwalk.

The living space is complete with built-in shelving, a surround sound system and a propane fireplace. Those sliding doors lead to the second balcony.

Here’s that balcony, protected by a railing of alternating glass designed to let in the breeze.

Here’s another look at the aquatic neighbourhood and the majestic bluffs.

Lastly, here’s the massive rooftop patio. It has a gas grill and a built-in speaker system and can host dozens of people.

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