256 CHRISTIE ST., TORONTO
ASKING PRICE $799,999
SELLING PRICE $828,000
TAXES $7,600 (2012)
DAYS ON THE MARKET 10
LISTING AGENT Lucais Shepherd, Re/Max West Realty Inc.
The Action: On a well-trafficked corner a block from Dupont Street, this mixed-use property was open to visitors with appointments and realtors invited to the agents-only open house. By chance, three parties engaged in negotiations for the loft around the same time, creating a bidding war.
What They Got: Commercial and residential zoning was given to a 20-by-120-foot corner lot with two brick buildings and a private driveway between them for six vehicles.
The main building is a century-old Edwardian with a
commercial space on the main level and a three-bedroom apartment above with a rooftop deck, living room, kitchen, bathroom and separate side entry, gas and hydro meters.
The smaller, 11/2-storey building fronting onto Melville Avenue is a carriage house with a garage and loft space upstairs with a bathroom and roughed-in kitchen.
The Agent's Take: "It's close to a very rapidly changing intersection at Dupont and Christie, just steps to Starbucks, Loblaws, Faema Café, Bank of Montreal and Christie subway station," says agent Lucais Shepherd. "[Plus] it has parking for six cars on the property. Where do you get parking for six cars close to Bloor Street?"
While a sushi restaurant successfully operated out of the main structure, the property's unique size and set up could easily be adapted or expanded for other endeavours.
"There are two separate buildings for the price of one," says Mr. Shepherd, who's only seen one other property like this down the block.
"They could rent out the carriage house as a separate residence or use it as a workshop. It actually had a separate postal address at 3½ Melville."
Editor's Note: Done Deals contain information gathered from real estate agents, home buyers, home sellers and sale prices that are publicly available from government sources. While we try to publish Done Deals as soon as possible after the transaction has occurred, long closings can cause delays.