The Humber River is bordered on both sides by some of the most beautiful homes in Canada. In the early 1600s on the banks of this majestic waterway, Etienne Brule once stood and gazed upon the Great Lakes – making him the first European to ever do so. Over the next 200 years, the Humber River became a central corridor for Canadian Commerce. French fur traders portaged up the Humber to reach Georgian Bay and ultimately the interior of Canada. Many important names that influenced history have passed this significant place.  |
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Limestone and marble heated floors are a cozy addition to the vestibule and entryway while solid oak, 10-inch crown mouldings and trims and attractive glass doors with wrought-iron inserts combine beautifully with the original handmade parquetry floors and custom made oak doors of the grand foyer to create a refined country entrance for the home. This inviting space also boasts two oak closets and a custom made oak door with hinged wrought-iron inserts.
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Designed for entertaining, the sumptuous sunken living room includes an original carved limestone fireplace with marble surround along with three, large arched windows and butterfly doors that open onto a splendid marble balcony overlooking the gardens. Hand-crafted, plaster walls and door frames, custom solid oak window seats and custom oak doors with hinged wrought iron inserts complete the elegant picture. Classic Art Déco features throughout are reminicent of 1920’s and 1930’s European architecture .
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Designed for elegant dining this richly appointed Mediterranean-styled dining room boasts plaster walls, 3 oak casement windows, crown mouldings and door surrounds along with the original glass doors with wrought-iron inserts and striking parquetry floors. An original cherry ‘butler’s door’ connects the dining room to the kitchen.
A striking sunroom is aptly named as bright, transom windows bring the views of the glorious gardens and sunlight inside - warming up this lovely space which boasts the property’s original custom-made, oak doors along with the hand made parquet floors, custom oak mouldings and a walkout to a marble balcony.
A bay window gives the kitchen added flair and enhances the overall look of impeccable taste. The gorgeous, solid cherry, custom cabinetry seamlessly incorporates brand name appliances such as a Subzero fridge with two matching refrigerator drawers, a Uline bar Fridge, Asko dishwasher, a Thermador gas stove with six burners, two ovens, a grill and an Electrolux Kick Vacuum. A 2” solid, teak counter with a limestone upper counter on the centre island are an attractive and practical addition while a food prep sink and garbage compactor make cooking easy. The three-quarter inch, white oak floors are heated while the limestone countertops and stove hood are lit from above by a four-by-four skylight. A handsomely coffered ceiling tops the adjoining breakfast area where casual dining takes place next to custom made windows with transom openings that overlook the grounds.
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Solid cherry pantry closets and a limestone mosaic carpet with heated, rough hewn, limestone tiles give the mudroom/pantry a decidedly upscale look while a triple-arched phone nook adds antique flair to the setting. Boasting a practical garbage and recycling closet with a chute to the basement, this well-appointed space is both attractive and convenient.
A self contained hallway, bedroom and bathroom on the main level of the home constitute the very comfortably appointed guest suite. Featuring a limestone and marble walk-in shower with a
Gentleman’s bath and cherry wood cabinetry and trim, this deluxe suite also boasts limestone counters and casement windows with an original oak window seat. In the hallway, an original oak family bookcase sits in a quiet niche.
The second level landing is a beautiful area with an arched window overlooking a Juliet balcony while a cathedral ceiling and deep, oak casings give the setting a lovely sophistication. Also included in this area are two, oak linen closets,a plaster door and window surround as well as an archway entrance into the office area.
The office adjacent to the master bedroom is a practical addition. This attached office features windows with oak casements and double French doors that open onto a balcony overlooking the lush gardens, the forest and the beautiful Humber River ravine.
A fantastic double door entrance opens on to the deluxe master suite with its gleaming hardwood floors, large oak “Gentleman’s Closet” with built-in shelves and two sets of French doors which open onto a private balcony offering a great view of the ravine setting. A pocket door gives entry to the “Gentleman’s Bath” area – a stunning space featuring an Art Deco mirror, back lit marble counters with stainless steel sink, a six-foot tub, cove lighting and the original refurbished tile. A spacious lady’s dressing room boasts cove lighting while the walk-in closet is completely customized with a skylight, over twenty-five feet of hanging space and floor-to-ceiling drawers and shelves.
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The other bedrooms in this lavish home are superbly appointed with study alcoves, built-in bookcases and large double closets featuring built-in shelving and custom cove mouldings.
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The open and airy third level of the home offers handsome inlayed cork floors, six storage closets for off-season clothes, wrought iron railings and a built-in oak linen closet.
A spacious office has been roughed in for a spa and features an oak double door entry and a palladium window overlooking the garden and Humber River Valley.
As you enter the studio, you are immediately struck by the grand palladium windows overlooking the gardens on the north, west and south sides. Through the south window you can view the Old Mill and the shining waters of Lake Ontario. A built-in window seat is ideal for relaxing or losing yourself in reverie; it is a perfect spot for getting away.
The lower level of the home has been turned into a media/games room. Featuring a sunken media room with fantastic custom, maple built-ins, the original maple hardwood floor, solid maple mouldings and a coffered ceiling, this well-appointed space also includes a dramatic, original, Humber stone fireplace with a ten-foot pine mantle and a walkout to a covered arched alcove and gardens. Also found on this level is a floor-to-ceiling, built-in pantry and kitchen with an Amana fridge, an Asko dishwasher and a stainless steel bar sink.
You can gaze out at the ravine and gardens as you to stay fit year-round in this sunken exercise room with its cork floors, pocket French doors, built-in bookcase and purified water cooler.
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The acre-plus gardens that surround the home still bear the same magnificent design and layout that were conceived and tended by the original, full-time gardener. These enchanting sanctuaries are canopied by towering oaks, black cherry and elm while decades old specimen evergreens surround and shade the property. At the very bottom of the stairwell is an outdoor fireplace, a natural spring well and a waterfall that runs year-round. Only steps away from the main house is a “playhouse” that provided a cottage-like getaway for Mr. MacGillivray whenever he wanted a nice quiet nap. On the second level of the garden terrace was a shed which housed all of the tools and supplies needed to maintain the abundant rock gardens and shrubbery. Level one of this 3-storey playhouse is currently used as a playhouse, while level two is used as a potting shed and level three is used as storage.
Today a garden patio overlooks the river ravine and offers a rare view of the downtown Toronto skyline punctuated by the CN Tower – this was the original viewing place of Etienne Brule as he first looked upon what is now Lake Ontario. During the 1930s and 1940s, these gorgeous gardens often played host to many of Toronto’s premier social events. To this day, the gardens still maintain their delightful appeal.
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Right+Click here (or ctrl+click on a Mac) and choose "save target as", select a destination on your computer, and choose save.
Right+Click here (or ctrl+click on a Mac) and choose "save target as", select a destination on your computer, and choose save.
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