‘An address of distinction’: This $4-million detached Annex home blends classic design with modern comfort

Size: 3,000 to 3,500 square feet / 30 x 120 feet (lot size)

X-factor: A detached home in downtown Toronto with plenty of parking, this property has potential for renovation in one of the city’s most competitive neighbourhoods. 

Real estate agent Gay MacLeod said 40 Admiral Rd. has received favourable attention since it hit the market on July 3.

“The elegance of the home and the location of the home are what makes it very special,” she said. 

Aside from the basement with a separate entrance, heated driveway and detached four-car garage, this property offers a generous five bedrooms and five bathrooms in the heart of the Annex. 

Before heading through the front door, the character of the house can be seen in the hand-made railings leading up the front steps. 

“There’s also some interesting art work done by a previous owner who was a sculptor. As you come up onto the front porch of the house, there’s a metal a bird and branches,” MacLeod said. 

Walking through the front door, you are immediately greeted with a oak wood floors and wainscotting original to the 1922 home. 

Moving beyond the entry, a door leading to the rest of the home is adorned with unique stained glass. 

“The stained glass windows are original to the house in 1922 and they’re all hand done, original glass,” MacLeod said. 

MacLeod said previous owners did renovations about 10 years ago, adding modern flair to the home’s early twentieth-century charm. 

The front-most living room comes equipped with a gas fireplace, with an electric fireplace in the adjacent formal dining room. 

Moving through the home we reach the chef’s island kitchen next, where new renovations and updated appliances are apparent. 

Next to the kitchen is a breakfast room, awash with light streaming through the French doors leading to the back porch. 

While the home has five bedrooms, MacLeod explained that three office-like rooms could be deemed unofficial bedrooms if needed. 

There are also four bathrooms in the home, with one powder room on the main floor. 

“There’s a staircase off the breakfast room that goes up to the sunroom, which is off the primary bedroom, and there’s the main staircase that goes up to the landing and then up to the third floor as well,” MacLeod explained. 

The main bedroom features a large walk-in closet, ensuite and a bedroom-like space currently being used as a second living room.

“They’ve each got their own walk in closets and ensuite baths, so they’re definitely bedrooms, but you would want to perhaps close off those French doors and put a solid wall there,” MacLeod said. 

The basement holds two rooms and a living space with another fireplace. 

“There’s actually two bedrooms [in the basement] because each of the rooms have closets. One has an ensuite bath. It is totally new. And the other one maybe could be more storage, because it doesn’t have a window,” MacLeod said. 

She explained that there is another washer and dryer in a utility room in the basement. 

Exiting the back door you’ll find a large detached garage, equipped with a lift, and a small back porch.  

“After the property was purchased in, I think, 1990 and the the owner wanted to have parking for four cars, so there’s two cars in the garage, and then there’s two car parking in the in the driveway, in front of the garage,” MacLeod said. 

What’s in the neighbourhood? 

“It’s a prime Yorkville area. It’s probably one of the most iconic and sought after streets in Toronto, there’s art galleries, shops, restaurants, the TTC, the subway is right there,” MacLeod said. 

The property is walking distance from Bloor Street, and the neighbourhood is filled with young families and a vibrant community, she said.

Will it sell for it’s listing price?

MacLeod is confident the property will sell.

“Certainly the the area is in demand, and it’s a matter of finding a buyer that is looking in this price range that you know would like to do some updating to the property. And also, maybe coming up from a smaller home and need some more room,” she said. 

She said she doesn’t see a property like this going back onto the market anytime soon.