HARBORD AND SPADINA
204 Robert St., Toronto
ASKING PRICE $879,000
SELLING PRICE $925,000
PREVIOUS SELLING PRICE $575,000 (2002)
TAXES $5,075 (2012)
DAYS ON THE MARKET 6
LISTING AGENTS Nancy, Elden and Danny Freeman and Randi Kwinta, Freeman Real Estate Ltd.
THE ACTION: Once this three-storey row house hit the market at $879,000, there were was a large number of private showings and over 60 attendees to a public open house. One shopper, aiming to thwart any potential competition, quickly offered a $46,000 premium for the property.
WHAT THEY GOT: One of a row of brick Victorians in South Annex, this over century-old property was revamped with a touch of modern style and substance, from a foyer with custom mosaic tile flooring to a kitchen with upgraded cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and a glass door to a deck and professionally landscaped gardens.
Classic components are prominent with hardwood floors and ornate trims throughout, as well as decorative columns between a living room with an antique fireplace and a dining room with built-in storage.
The second level was divided up with a laundry room, two bedrooms and a family room with a view of the street and stairs up to an open concept master suite with wall-to-wall closets and a second updated bathroom with access to a deck.
There an unfinished basement for storage, but no parking on the 16-by 95-foot lot, which is at least steps from restaurants and cafes on Harbord Street and streetcars and University of Toronto buildings on Spadina Avenue.
THE AGENT'S TAKE: "It was very well renovated, nothing needed to be done to it," says agent Elden Freeman. "It had a second floor family room, which opened up the whole floor and brought in a lot of light."
This home also displays historic charm, both original and replicated. "It has high ceilings, mouldings, Victorian archways, an original Victorian fireplace and tile work. It was all beautiful," Mr. Freeman adds.
"The carpenter who [worked on] this property typically does multi-million dollar houses in Forest Hill, so the millwork and cabinetry was all custom and of a much higher quality than you'd normally expect in this kind of house."