Sale of the Week: The $2.5-million semi that proves the bookish life lives on in the Annex

Address: 25 Bernard Avenue

Neighbourhood: The Annex

Agent: Elise Kalles, Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage

The Property: This renovated Victorian semi is big on whimsical charm, with floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the interior with light (even the basement) and built-in bookshelves to hold all the owner’s literature and bric-a-brac.

The History: The seller, who had lived in the home for a number of years, is moving out of the area.

The Fate: The buyers are a family who fell in love with the home’s design. They plan to keep many of the original features intact. When they move in, they’ll be joining some distinguished neighbours.

The Sale: The property drew two competing offers in 16 days on the market, and the sellers accepted the higher one, for $200,000 under asking.

By The Numbers:

• $2,496,250
• $13,066.01 in property taxes (2015)
• 25-by-122-foot lot
• 4 bathrooms
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 parking spaces
• 1 rooftop deck

The view from the front entrance, with the first of what will be a long series of impressive bookcases.

The living room has a formal look, with floor-to-ceiling mirrors to make the space seem a little wider.

The dining room gets lots of natural light.

Here’s the kitchen.

The appliances look older, but the cabinetry seems practically new.

The family room has French doors that lead to the backyard.

There are two bedrooms on the second floor. This one has been turned into a study, with wrap-around bookcases.

The hallway bathroom has some neat wallpaper.

If you’re going to own a Victorian in the Annex, you might as well invest in a four-poster bed and a bunch of antique bedroom furniture.

The master bedroom has a dressing room.

The master bedroom’s en suite bathroom has plenty of green to go around.

There’s another study on the third floor. Don’t you feel bad for whoever’s going to have to move the seller’s book collection?

And also a small bathroom with a festive colour scheme.

Imagine this rooftop deck in spring, when those trees are covered with leaves.

Even the basement rec room gets lots of natural light, courtesy of a pair of floor-to-ceiling windows.

And the backyard.