Done Deal, 285 Grace St., Toronto
285 GRACE ST., TORONTO
ASKING PRICE $1,299,000
SELLING PRICE $1.5-million
PREVIOUS SELLING PRICE $809,000 (2014)
TAXES $5,100 (2015)
DAYS ON THE MARKET One
LISTING AGENTS Douglas and Trevor Freeman, Freeman Real Estate Ltd.
The Action: In late May Little Italy house hunters had several homes to choose from but none with as modern a cast as this semi-detached house near Bickford Park. Only a few fast-moving buyers toured the interior before a pre-emptive offer was made, and accepted, with a $201,000 premium over the asking price.
What They Got: Framework from the 1920s provides the bones for this two-storey house recently expanded into a 1,588-square-foot space with a large fireside living and dining area and rear family room with glass panels to a deck and double garage.
A fourth bathroom was added by the central kitchen, which was revamped with hardwood floors, quartz waterfall breakfast bar and island, Miele appliances and high-gloss custom cabinetry.
Custom glass accents line the main floating staircase, a balcony off one of three second-floor bedrooms and exterior stairs to a renovated 741-square-foot basement with guest and recreation rooms.
The Agent's Take: "The location is very ideal, it puts you in great proximity to a lot of great aspects of the city. Like Harbord, Bloor or College [streets] are all within walking distance," says agent Trevor Freeman.
"[The house] had been completely renovated with higher-end finishings."
The sellers also maximized the usable space of the 18-by-114-foot lot. "For a two-storey home, it's rare to have a kitchen open to a family room," Mr. Freeman notes.
"It has a newly dug out basement, which is [also] rare in the area for having eight-foot ceilings."