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House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale

By Kelly Reid
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House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

Address: 1580 King St. W.
Neighbourhood: Parkdale Agent: Mary Anne Runnalls, Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage Price: $1,699,000

The place: A Victorian mansion in Parkdale with a view of the lake, a basement in-law suite and some quirky interior design.

The history: Built in 1890, it was once a rooming house made up of 13 units. The sellers purchased the house in 1986, and over the last 30 years have done significant renos on the kitchen, bedrooms, basement and backyard (which was a dirt parking lot in a previous life).

Big selling point: The kitchen is a home-cook’s dream: restaurant-style countertops are stainless steel, the corner sink is almost deep enough to bathe in and the motor for the range fan is located outside the house, so it’s even quieter than the fridge. And the 13’ x 14’ awning in the backyard means it’s possible to dine al fresco in anything less than a monsoon.

Possible deal breaker: The new owners might have a little redecorating to do if bold primary colours and murals of nudes aren’t their style. Or they can just turn their attention to the lake—it’s clearly visible from all three storeys.

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By the numbers:

• $1,699,000 • $5,215.26 in taxes (2015) • 4,180 square feet, including the basement • 5 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms • 3 storeys • 2 fridges • 1 fresco-style mural

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

The foyer leads into the living room.

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

And here it is. The sellers used a glaze with gold dust in it to give the room’s grey walls an iridescent sheen.

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

The house is full of French doors. The ones here in the dining room have a nice transom window above them.

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House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

One could do some serious cooking in this kitchen.

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

Here’s the master bedroom. That sculpture of a torso makes for a unique scarf hanger.

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

This is the master bathroom. A local artist was commissioned to paint the mural, and the owners converted an antique sideboard into a vanity. Oh, and there’s a bidet, too.

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

This is the only other room on the second floor. It’s currently being used as an office.

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

Each of the third-floor bedrooms, like this one here, has at least one skylight.

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House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

This room is very, how do you say? Red.

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

And this room, also on the third floor, is being used as another office. One of the sellers designed those light fixtures himself.

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

The finished basement is quite spacious.

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

There’s even room for a bed.

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

Here’s the basement kitchen. It has heated floors.

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House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

And the newly renovated basement bathroom. It also has heated floors.

House of the Week: $1.7-million for a former rooming house in Parkdale
(Image: Yiannis Dimkopoulos)

The backyard has a secret-garden feel to it.

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