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

Neighbourhood: Broadview North
Price: $3,995,000
Size: 2,900 square feet plus an 800-square-foot basement
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 5
Parking spots: 3
Real estate agent: Carlo Pietracupa, Corcoran

The place

A three-bedroom, five-bedroom detached in Broadview North. It comes with a one-car garage, space for two more cars on the driveway and a dog-friendly backyard. The house also has a zoned HVAC system and a backup generator for power outages. It’s within walking distance of Broadview station, the Don Valley’s trails and the businesses in Pape Village. And motorists are a short drive from the DVP, Bayview and Danforth.

The history

In the mid-2010s, the current owners purchased the house that once stood on this corner lot and immediately tore it down. Completed in 2019, this new residence was to be their retirement home. Instead, they’ve decided to live full time at their cottage, so they’re putting the property on the market.

Related: This lakeside Burlington home’s selling price went up sixfold in eight years

The tour

The stone-and-stucco façade is bolstered by the heated driveway and walkway leading to the mahogany front door.

In the foyer: a 12-metre-long chandelier, spanning three levels, as well as a winding glass staircase.

This reverse view highlights the futuristic octagonal glass elevator.

The rest of the main floor is open concept, fashioned with radiant tile flooring.

Straight ahead is the living area, which comes with a built-in entertainment system and a gas fireplace underneath. Note the recessed ceilings with integrated lighting.

The drapery, along with the HVAC, security and speaker systems, can be automated and operated via a phone app.

Now for the kitchen, lined with Scavolini hardware and storage. Those pull-out drawers have internal lighting, and the upper cabinets are powered by a motorized hydraulic system, opening and closing with the push of a button.

There are also several Miele appliances here, including a wine fridge, a double-door fridge, a microwave, an oven and an electric cooktop.

Don’t forget the quartz waterfall island.

The dining room comes with Scavolini cabinets designed to showcase cocktails.

And the main-floor powder room is done up in funky wallpaper.

The upper floor has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Here’s the main bedroom.

And here’s its walk-in closet.

Its ensuite bathroom has a double-sink countertop made by Scavolini plus a walk-in shower with a bench and a linear drain.

Next to the shower is this free-standing soaker tub that overlooks the backyard. There’s also a heated towel rack, and there’s a Toto toilet in a separate water closet.

Here’s a peek inside the second bedroom.

The third bedroom is currently set up as an office but can be converted into whatever the new owners desire.

The last stop on the second floor is the laundry room, which shares a wall with the main bedroom.

Moving upstairs to the third floor reveals the dramatic sunroom.

It has heated floors, and those wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass doors can open accordion style.

The full marble bar is ideal for hosting on summer nights.

The turfed rooftop patio complements the breathtaking view of the Don Valley.

Downstairs, the basement is all about fun.

First, here’s the home theatre. It’s equipped with soundproof walls, surround sound and inset lighting

But the real showstopper is the 30,000-litre aquarium—heated for tropical fish—which fronts both the basement library and bathroom. Its interior was hand-painted by the same artist who worked on Ripley’s Aquarium.

As for the library itself, it has walnut bookshelves, cove lighting and heated floors.

One of the owners paid tribute to his grandfather, an underwater welder, by showcasing his 80-year-old technical suit in the corner of the bathroom.

Just beyond the bathroom is this fitness area.

Outdoors, residents will find a heated concrete patio, a wall of trees and a storage shed. The owners have two dogs, so that fence runs two feet deep to prevent any rascally burrowing.

Finally, a shot of the rear of the home, just before sunset.

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