181 Balmoral Ave., Toronto
Asking price: $2.294-million
Selling price: $1.8-million
Previous selling price: $10,250 (1940)
Taxes: $14,419 (2008)
Lot size: 81 by 136 feet
Days on the market: 219
Listing agent: Victoria Boscariol, Avant Garde Real Estate Ltd.
Listed at $2.294-million, this century-old residence sat on the market for months before the asking price was reduced to $1.994-million.
But agent Victoria Boscariol says she deliberately set the numbers high to deter builders from severing the premium lot - which is twice the size of most in South Hill - and constructing several houses to replace a unique and historic home in which famous Canadians had their portraits painted.
"There's so much about that house that is so rare in Toronto ... it would be a shame if it was torn down," she says. "From the outside, you can't tell how magnificent it is inside."
For instance, former prime minister John Diefenbaker, lieutenant-governor John B. Aird and governor-general Jeanne Sauvé posed for the previous owner of nearly 70 years - renowned artist Cleeve Horne - in one of two two-storey studios with large windows and glass ceilings.
"Towards the back of the house on the same level is the sculpture studio," Ms. Boscariol says. "That's where the Alexander Graham Bell memorial was built."
In 1947, the sellers had architect Gordon S. Adamson replace its original Tudor-style features with Frank Lloyd Wright's design principles.
"[The style] emphasizes nature and simplicity, so the house becomes one with the environment," the agent says. "There are low sweeping roof lines, extensive use of rich woods and natural colours."
Hardwood floors and beamed ceilings more than 10.5 feet above appear in many areas such as the living and dining rooms, which are separated by a floor-to-ceiling fireplace.
Along one side of the house is a library, a fireside family room and a laundry room off the eat-in kitchen. "You basically had about 3,400 square feet all on one level," Ms. Boscariol says. "It's a fantastic house for entertaining because of that."
Also on this level are three out of five bathrooms and three bedrooms, including a master suite with a walk-in closet and access to a semi-ensuite bathroom. Two more bedrooms are upstairs.
Other features include a lower-level recreation room, a private south-facing backyard and an attached double garage.
