Surreal Estate: $8.8 million for a Malibu-style Vaughan mansion surrounded by palm trees

Neighbourhood: Pine Grove, Vaughan Price: $8.8 million Size: 6,200 square feet plus a 2,900-square-foot basement, sitting on half an acre of land Bedrooms: 4+1 Bathrooms: 9 Parking spots: 16 Real estate agent: Voula Argyropoulos, Hammond International Properties

The place

A high-tech four-plus-one-bedroom, nine-bathroom house in Vaughan. The place sits on half an acre of land and comes with a saltwater pool, a four-car garage and a driveway that fits 12 cars, a movie theatre, and heated flooring all over. It’s surrounded by greenery and is a short drive from both the 400 and the 427.

The history

The current owners bought this villa in 2021, just after construction was completed. Then came the fun: they commissioned a sommelier from Barberian’s Steak House to design and install a 5,000-bottle, temperature-controlled, camera-surveilled wine cellar. Now, the owners are putting the mansion on the market. 

Related: $3.38 million for a mid-century Woodbridge bungalow from the architect behind Sherway Gardens

The tour

The façade’s various components coalesce like building blocks. That’s a post and lintel entrance to the driveway on the right. 

Hardwood soffits peeking underneath a portico roof with built-in lighting warm up the otherwise austere exterior.

Inside, heated oak floors and a crystalline staircase greet residents. 

Modernist furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows and a champagne closet (tucked away in the background) populate the family room.

There are two offices on the main floor—this one hides behind a secret door in the family room. 

Just off the family room is the dining area, kitchen and sunken living space. The Disney-inspired art by Anthony Ricciardi (a friend of the owners) does not come with the home. 

Those marble counters in the kitchen are leathered to add texture. And the doors on the left—flanked by the frilly display—open to a giant fridge and freezer. 

In the living space: a two-storey feature wall, views of the grotto out back and an open fireplace, just because. 

The second-floor landing overlooks the living space and connects all four bedrooms.  

The main bedroom comes with a fireplace surrounded by another Ricciardi mural, plus an ensuite bathroom, a walk-in closet and a walkout to a jumbo deck.

Here’s that ensuite, with a super-wide vanity, a soaker tub and a glass shower.

And here’s the adjacent Yorkville-worthy walk-in.

Now for the suite’s deck, with yet another fireplace and a treetop view. 

The owners love to host wine tastings in the basement rec room. Its wet bar comes with a fridge, a dishwasher and a microwave. 

Anyone could get lost in the 5,000-bottle wine cellar, so it comes with a bottle-finding app. 

There’s also a sauna down here. 

Down the hall is the cinema, complete with soundproof walls and movie-theatre carpet.

On to the backyard. See? Malibu.

Palm trees can’t survive outdoors during Toronto’s colder months, so the owners hired a garden centre to care for them when it gets chilly.

The cabana (more like a poolside bachelor pad) has heating, air-conditioning and a bar.

Of course there are Muskoka chairs. 

A look at the heated driveway leading to the backyard.

Finally, a bird’s eye view of the verdant property. 

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