Posted on by: vahabj

Condo of the Week: $2.8 million for a Casa Loma suite with a pair of impressive bedrooms

Address: 377 Madison Avenue, Penthouse 708
Neighbourhood: Casa Loma
Agent: Bruno Soares, Re/Max Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage
Price: $2,795,000

The place

A pristine two-level penthouse with Casa Loma views. The living area on the main floor has 11-foot-high ceilings and a balcony just above a tree canopy. The second level has a huge bedroom suite and a 1,200-square-foot terrace.

The history

The owner has never actually lived here. The condo hasn’t registered yet, so this unit is being sold on assignment.

Here’s the kitchen and dining area:

A closer look at the kitchen:

The living room has a wall of wrap-around windows:

The main-floor bedroom:

And the balcony:

Big selling point

Both bedrooms are luxurious enough to be considered the master. Each has an ensuite bathroom, a walk-in closet and heated floors.

Here’s the upstairs bedroom, with its wall of windows:

The upstairs bathroom:

And the rooftop terrace:

Possible deal breaker

There’s no separate office or den, which could make this place impractical for someone who works from home.

By the numbers

• $2,795,000
• 2,350 square feet
• $1,455 in monthly maintenance fees
• 1,200-square-foot rooftop terrace
• 270-square-foot balcony
• 3 bathrooms
• 2 bedrooms
• 2 parking spaces
• 1 wine fridge
• 1 locker

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Posted on by: vahabj

How a family of five took on a cottage reno project in Gravenhurst

The buyers: Amanda Moskowitz, a 34-year-old stay-at-home mom; her husband, Adam, a 39-year-old auctioneer; and their three young children.

The story: Adam grew up vacationing on Lake Muskoka and wanted to continue the tradition with his wife and kids, but their existing cottage was too small for their growing family. It was time to trade up. Amanda was concerned about the kids’ safety: she wanted a place located on a bay, with minimal boat traffic and calm water. Their budget of $1.5 ­million needed to cover the purchase price as well as any renovations.

The buy

Lake Muskoka, Gravenhurst

This one-and-a-half-storey cottage had been vacant for about four years. The previous owners had started a reno but never followed through, leaving the interior gutted and ready for construction. Amanda and Adam loved the idea of having a blank canvas to renovate as they pleased, and the bay location meant tranquil water for the kids. They crunched the numbers and figured they could afford to finish the reno if they got the place for a little less than list price. There were no other bidders, so they were able to win out for $49,000 under asking. A year later, their renovation is almost complete.

The Specs

Size: 2,800 square feet
Listed at: $949,000
Purchase price: $900,000
Lake frontage: 300 feet
Bedrooms: None
Bathrooms: None
Features: Renovation-ready

Here’s the view from the lake:

And the view of the lake:

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Posted on by: vahabj

Anthony Munk is selling his modern Rosedale mansion

Anthony Munk, senior managing director at investment giant Onex (and the son of Barrick Gold founder Peter Munk), appears to have had a change of heart about his palatial Rosedale pad.

After buying his modern home at 361 Inglewood Drive for $4.25 million in 2007 and fixing it up with a partial third-storey addition, Munk purchased the property next door, at 359 Inglewood—an older house, with a brick exterior. Munk evidently had no intention of living in it. Before closing on the home, he applied to the city for a permit to demolish it. In a letter to the city’s building department, Munk’s architect explained that Munk intended to use the spare land to build a two-storey extension on the west side of the house at 361 Inglewood, “in order to address the needs of his family.” The new wing would have given Munk an additional 3,300 square feet of floor area.

But the city never issued a demolition permit, and Munk’s application was cancelled in 2014. He sold the house at 359 Inglewood for $2.845 million in 2016. Now, 361 Inglewood is up for sale, too, with an asking price of $8.38 million.

Even without a west wing, 361 Inglewood is impressive. It sits on a ravine lot, and the living room has floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the lush tree canopy. The master bathroom has the same view, and the treetops serve as a natural privacy screen.

The house has four bedrooms, plus a chic office space on the third floor with a wood-burning fireplace and access to a rooftop deck. There’s a spa with a hot tub and sauna, and an in-ground pool in the backyard.

Munk’s real estate agent, Corinne Kalles, couldn’t be reached for comment.

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House of the Week: $2.4 million for a Junction Triangle home with a huge, glass-lined atrium

Address: 1587 Dupont Street
Neighbourhood: Junction Triangle
Agent: Matt Manuel and Paul Johnston, Right at Home Realty Inc., Brokerage
Price: $2,395,000
Previously sold for: $425,000, in 2009, prior to a major renovation

The place

A newly built home in the Junction Triangle, close to the Union Pearson Express and the West Toronto Railpath.

The history

Once a storefront with a residence on top, the home was converted to a single-family dwelling by Soma Studio in 2010.

Here’s the entrance:

The dining area and kitchen:

A view into the living room and atrium:

The library:

There are two bedrooms on the second floor. This is the master:

The master ensuite. Don’t ask us what’s up with the bird (keep looking if you haven’t spotted it). We have no idea:

A rear view of the atrium:

Big selling point

The courtyard’s tall fences and newly planted trees create privacy while allowing light to stream into the two-storey living room and atrium:

Also, out back, a studio space atop the two-car garage has a bathroom and a roughed in kitchenette. It could be used as a gym space, home office, or in-law suite.

Possible deal breaker

The home is a semi, which might be a deal breaker for anyone who expects a detached home in exchange for their $2.4-million outlay. But the property is, at least, on a 24.42-foot-wide lot, making this one of the wider semis in the west end.

By the numbers

• $2,395,000
• $6,130.16 in taxes (2017)
• 3,200 square feet
• 4 bathrooms
• 3 bedrooms
• 3 parking spots
• 1 fireplace

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