Surreal Estate: $6.3 million for a Thornhill mansion that would make Frank Lloyd Wright proud

Surreal Estate: $6.3 million for a Thornhill mansion that would make Frank Lloyd Wright proud

What 4,100-square-foot Prairie-style residence would be complete without a wall of mirrors, coffered ceilings, a secret bar, a steam room and a tennis court?

Porsche not included.

Neighbourhood: Bayview Glen, Thornhill
Price: $6,380,000
Size: 4,100 square feet plus a 1,500-square-foot basement
Bedrooms: 5+1
Bathrooms: 5
Parking spaces: 12
Real estate agent: Adrienne Goodman Florovski, Hammond International Properties


The place

A five-plus-one-bedroom, five-bathroom Prairie-style temple sitting on an acre of land in Thornhill. The property backs onto the Don River and includes a tennis court, a swimming pool, an attached two-car garage and a circular driveway with room to park up to 12 cars. It’s near Bayview and Steeles and is a short drive from the Bayview Golf and Country Club and Tyndale University’s super-green campus.

The history

The house was built in 1974 by architect Sheldon Rosen, who designed it as a home for a wealthy family. It was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright: horizontal lines, warm brick, large windows and so on. And its interior has been impeccably maintained—a time warp back to the 1970s.

The current owners, now retired, are downsizing to a condo, so they’re putting their home on the market.

Related: Lawrence Park’s famous Bézier Curve House is on the market for $10.9 million

The tour

A wooden bridge over a rock garden leads to the front door.

Residents enter this Thornhill mansion via a bridge.

The tiered open-concept living and dining area sets the tone.

The living area is tiered.

There’s a powder room on this level as well.

The powder room is by the entrance.

Here’s a closer look at the living area. It has floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows and popcorn ceilings.

More 1970s decor here.

Now the dining area, which comes with a wall of mirrors and a walkout to the backyard.

This edition of Surreal Estate comes with a wall of mirrors.

The kitchen is something else: coffered ceilings, stained glass doors, oak cabinets, a double wall oven and a U-shaped island that is perfect for hosting.

The coffered ceilings define the kitchen.

Note the built-in grill on the island—it’s vented to the exterior of the home. The flooring, meanwhile, is Mexican tile.

Note the Mexican tile.

Just beyond the kitchen is the family room. It has oak ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace plus another walkout to the backyard.

The family room couldn't have more oak.

Another angle shows off the secret bar.

Mr. Bond's secret bar.

This hallway connects the family room to the front foyer.

A grand hallway, of course.

Also on the main floor is the library, equipped with another wood-burning fireplace. That staircase on the right leads to the main bedroom on the second floor.

The library has another fireplace.

The herringbone oak floors and ceiling accents are a nice touch.

The wood accents on the ceiling add warmth.

Here’s the second-floor landing with the main suite in the background.

This stairwell leads to the main suite.

Yes, this is a Hollywood-style dressing room with a makeup station. It sits outside the main bedroom.

What other Thornhill home has a Hollywood dressing room?

The ensuite bathroom is accessed via the walk-in closet.

Now a look at the walk-in closet.

Here’s that ensuite. It has a view of the backyard.

The ensuite bathroom overlooks the backyard.

And here’s the main bedroom. Its drop-down ceiling brings the drama.

There's some dramatic lighting in the main suite.

There are four additional bedrooms, plus three bathrooms, on the upper floor. This one is set up with a workstation.

One of the four secondary bedrooms on the upper floor.

This bedroom has built-in storage and access to a shared bathroom.

Note the figurine collection.

Down in the basement is where the fun happens. Along with two rec rooms, it comes with an additional bedroom, two bathrooms and a circus of clown figurines.

The TV lounge has clown figurines on the wall.

Who doesn’t like ping-pong?

More fun in the rec room.

Down the hall is a sauna, a steam room and lockers for guests using the tennis court and pool.

The sauna with lockers gives off gym vibes.

There are figurines in the bathroom too.

There's a bathroom in the basement as well.

The backyard is designed for entertaining. The home’s many walkouts all lead to the manicured patio.

The backyard is designed for group hangs.

The yard at dusk: private, verdant and huge. The glowing pool has a slide and an old-school diving board.

What in-ground pool would be complete without a diving board.

That’s a bar and pergola by the lounge.

The pool-side lounge has a pergola.

A look at the tennis court, shaded by dense, mature trees.

Beyond the pool is the tennis court.

Finally, a bird’s eye view of the home from the backyard.

An aerial shot of the spectacular home.


Have a home that’s about to hit the market? Send your property to [email protected].