The home’s Georgian features include the symmetrical five bays of the facade. (RE/MAX ALL-STARS REALTY INC.)
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- 53 Main St. South, Markham
- What: Markham's first postal outlet and now a designated heritage home that blends historic charm and modern conveniences.
- Living space: 2,900 square feet
- Lot size: 76 by 147 feet
- Asking price: $639,000
- Taxes: $4,300 (2005)
- Agent: Leslie Benczik, Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Markham has been rapidly expanding as new housing projects are built, but the town also boasts two heritage conservation districts with high concentrations of century-old buildings, including residential homes.
One of the areas is on Markham's Main Street, near Highway 7, where this two-storey house is located. The dwelling is considered unique not only because of its historical significance as the town's first postal outlet, but also because of its spacious interior and large ravine lot.
"It's a ... century home that's been beautifully restored recently by a renowned builder in the area who owns and lives there," agent Leslie Benczik says. "He's has done a lot of restoration [work] in Rosedale and Forest Hill."
Documents state that the landmark property was built as a post office and private residence circa 1828, although a plaque mounted on the facade claims it was in 1820. One document says the house also accommodated a general store.
According to records obtained by a Richmond Hill historian, James Johnston was the first postmaster at the outlet, where he also lived. But upon his illness and death in 1832, his cousin, Archibald Barker, took over.
Mr. Barker — who was also a merchant, mill owner and justice of the peace — ran the local post office with his family for nearly five decades.
By the middle of the 19th century, however, the postal operations had been moved north to the commercial core of Markham Village.
Physical signs of its days as a post office are gone, but much of its traditional architectural features have been preserved.
"The key thing is keeping everything as original as possible," Mr. Benczik says. "You've got the original banisters there that have been fixed and restored, original baseboards, trims, doors and framework."
Pine floors, multiple fireplaces and a claw-foot tub in the master ensuite bathroom adds to the character of the house.
The facade has telltale Georgian traits, such as its symmetrical five bays and the sash windows on the side and rear, some of them original to the house.
Aluminum siding was added in the 1960s, followed by new front windows, a transom and sidelights around the front door, and a wraparound covered porch. The furnace and roof also were replaced, while the plumbing and wiring systems were upgraded.
The kitchen has been renovated and now includes granite countertops, pot lights and a breakfast bar. In addition, a breakfast room was created where a storage area had been, the garage was converted into a study, and the master ensuite bathroom was installed upstairs.
Because of the changes and additions, there is now about 2,900 square feet of living space, which was ideal for the seller to raise a family. "It's a good-sized home," Mr. Benczik adds.
While an average lot in the area is about 50 by 120 feet, this one has pie-shaped grounds that measure 76 feet across and 147 feet deep along one side.
"It's beautifully landscaped, larger than others, and backs on to a ravine," the agent says. "[The buyer] would be somebody who's really interested in the history of a property like this and wants that ravine-type lot."
The amenities
This century-old Georgian has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a main-floor family room, study and four fireplaces, including one upstairs.
There is an open living and dining area with two wood-burning fireplaces, crown mouldings and broadloom. A door between the fireplaces leads to a study with a cathedral ceiling.
The kitchen features granite countertops, pot lights and a breakfast bar. Wood flooring extends into a rear breakfast room and the family room, which has a gas fireplace, built-in shelves and stained-glass windows. A powder room rounds out the floor.
Each bedroom upstairs is on a corner of the house, and has built-in cabinetry. The master ensuite bathroom has a cathedral ceiling, claw-foot tub and pine flooring. There also is a four-piece common bathroom on this floor.
The basement is not finished.
A long private driveway has room for six cars, and a small detached structure could be used as a workshop or garage.
Special to The Globe and Mail
